Villanova has historic shooting night to advance to National Championship game

Whew. Villanova had a historic performance to put them in the Championship game on Monday night. They hit a record 18 three-pointers while handing Kansas their worst tournament loss ever. Eric Paschall led the way for Nova with 24 points while shooting 10-of-11 from the floor.

The Wildcats are now headed to their second championship game in three years when they face Michigan for it all.

After an easy Villanova dunk in the halfcourt, Bill Self takes a timeout. This one is all but over with less than six minutes to go. Villanova is still shooting over 50 percent from the field. Many thought this would be one of the better games of the tournament, but it’s been a blowout from the start.

Kansas has played much better in the second half, but not enough to close the gap. Villanova has easily been able to keep KU at a distance for the entire game. If you’re wondering, the Wildcats have now made 17 three-pointers.

That’s a new tournament record! 14 three-pointers in the game for Villanova.

This has been all Villanova from the tip. 47 is the most points Kansas has allowed in a first half this season. Nova finishes the half 13-of-26 from behind the line, from seven different players. Kansas is going to have to find a way to slow down these shooters if they want a chance in the second half.

Jalen Brunson leads all scorers with 13 while KU’s Devonte Graham has 10.

Villanova has now hit 13 three-pointers in the first half. It ties a tourney record for most three-pointers in a game and we still have 23 minutes remaining. This is ridiculous.

Former Jayhawk Joel Embiid is tweeting through it.

The Wildcats have already shot 18 three-pointers to KU’s one. Nova is currently 10-of-18 from downtown and they’ve figured out that zone.

The Jayhawks went to a zone on the defensive end and immediately gave Nova some fits. It resulted in a 7-0 run to bring Kansas within 11. Jay Wright immediately called a timeout to stop the momentum.

Villanova cannot miss! They’ve already hit SIX THREE-POINTERS to start this game and just broke the NCAA record for most three-pointers in a season.

NOVA SMASH!

This is already KU’s largest deficit of the tournament.

And we’re off! Kansas got on the board first with a jumper from Udoka Azubuike but since then it’s been all Villanova, hitting three straight three-pointers.

Villanova and Kansas are facing off in the Final Four game we actually saw coming. The No. 1 seed Wildcats and No. 1 seed Jayhawks were two of the best teams in college basketball all season long.

Aside from the No. 1 Virginia Cavaliers — who went down to No. 16 UMBC in historic fashion — Villanova was the best team in the country with a ridiculously impressive resume. The Wildcats paired the No. 1 offense in the nation with a top-15 defense. Villanova has lost just four times all season, and never by more than eight points to top-80 teams. They beat a number of KenPom top-20 teams, including Gonzaga, Tennessee, and Xavier twice. They’re really dang good.

Kansas was viewed as the weakest No. 1 seed, but still earned a No. 1 spot. The Jayhawks’ overtime win against Duke in the Elite Eight proved the worthiness of their ranking. They also won debatably the toughest conference in all of college hoops: The Big 12. A team that can get hot in a hurry, Kansas should give Nova its toughest 40 minutes of the tournament. (The Wildcats have won all four of their games by double digits.)

For those watching to see the future of the NBA, look no further than Villanova’s 6’7 wing, Mikal Bridges, the sharpshooting lanky big who’s likely to be drafted in the high lottery.

He’ll be the focal point of this star-studded game for pro scouts.

Date: Saturday, March 31

Time: 8:49 p.m. ET

TV: TBS

Live Stream: March Madness Live