Villanova is the favorite going into the Final Four
By Staff
After winning the national championship two years ago, the Villanova Wildcats are once again knocking on the door in a wild tournament.
This year, March Madness has been all about the upsets. Loyola-Chicago was supposed to be knocked out in the first round as a No. 11 seed, and yet the Ramblers are still dancing into the Final Four.
Meanwhile, the third-seeded Michigan Wolverines are rolling into the final weekend of the season, not having to play the two seeds (Xavier and North Carolina, respectively) in their bracket. It has been nothing but a chore to be one of the top-seeded teams in the tourney. Don’t believe me? Ask the Virginia Cavaliers.
Still, none of that has impacted the Villanova Wildcats, who have had little issue getting to the Final Four for the second time in three years. Under head coach Jay Wright, the Wildcats have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success, and regardless of the result between the Kansas Jayhawks and Duke Blue Devils on Sunday afternoon, Villanova is the favorite to cut the nets down next Monday evening in San Antonio.
Villanova has an experienced lineup including juniors Jalen Brunson and Eric Paschall, both who played pivotal roles in their Elite Eight victory over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Then there’s Donte DiVincenzo and Mikai Bridges, both of whom are major contributors and champs from a few years ago.
Next: The top 25 March Madness heroes of all time
Both Duke and Kansas are terrific, but neither have the blend of athleticism, talent and experience that the Wildcats possess. Both may have better NBA prospects, but that doesn’t matter much in the college game. For now, the Wildcats are the team to beat, especially with the other side of the bracket having a Cinderella and a quality, but not devastating team, in Michigan.
In a year where upsets have ruled, Villanova looms as a chalk giant, waiting to win two more games before taking its place atop the college basketball world … again.