DiVincenzo fires Villanova to US college basketball title

Freshman Donte DiVincenzo came off the bench to score 31 points as Villanova University outclassed the University of Michigan Wolverines to claim the prestigious US collegiate basketball crown.

Villanova guard Jalen Brunson hoists the national championship trophy after the Wildcats defeated the Michigan Wolverines 79-62 in the championship game of the 2018 NCAA men's Final Four, San Antonio, US.
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Villanova guard Jalen Brunson hoists the national championship trophy after the Wildcats defeated the Michigan Wolverines 79-62 in the championship game of the 2018 NCAA men's Final Four, San Antonio, US.

They chanted his name from the cheap seats: "Di-Vin-cen-zo, Di-Vin-cen-zo." By the time Donte DiVincenzo was done doing his damage, Villanova had another title and college basketball had its newest star.

The redhead kid with the nickname 'Big Ragu' came off the bench in San Antonio, Texas, to score 31 points on Monday and lift Villanova to another blowout tournament victory, this time 79-62 over Michigan for its second title in three seasons.

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Villanova Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo shoots against Michigan Wolverines guard Charles Matthews in the championship game of the 2018 men's Final Four, San Antonio, US, April 2, 2018.

The sophomore guard had 12 points and an assist during a first-half run to help the Wildcats (36-4) pull ahead, then scored nine straight for Villanova midway through the second to put the game away. 

He capped it with a 3-pointer from a step behind the arc that he celebrated with a knowing wink over to TV announcers Jim Nantz and Bill Raftery on the sideline.

Villanova won all six games by double digits over this tournament run, joining Michigan State (2000), Duke (2001) and North Carolina (2009) in that rare air.

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Villanova head coach Jay Wright questions a call during the first half against Michigan in the championship game of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 2, 2018.

"I thought we played our best game in the championship game," coach Jay Wright said.

The last team to win its two Final Four games by 16 or more: UCLA in 1968. During the era of John Wooden and the likes of Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), and Bill Walton.

One key question: Does Wright's team belong on the list of the best of all-time?

Maybe so, considering the way Villanova dismantled everyone in front of it in a tournament that was dripping with upsets, underdogs and at least the appearance of parity.

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Villanova's Jalen Brunson watches as Michigan's Moritz Wagner leaves the game during the second half in the championship game of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 2, 2018.

Maybe so, considering the Wildcats won in seemingly every way imaginable. This victory came two nights after they set a Final Four record with 18 3-pointers, and one week after they relied more on defence in a win over Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.

That debate's for later.

DiVincenzo squashed any questions about this game with a 10-for-15 shooting night – 5 for 7 from the 3-point perimetre – that was really better than that, making him an easy winner for most outstanding player in the Final Four.

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Villanova Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo dunks as Michigan Wolverines guard Charles Matthews (1) and guard Zavier Simpson (3) defend during the first half in the championship game of the 2018 NCAA men's Final Four, San Antonio, US, April 2, 2018.

With Michigan refusing to go away early in the second half, he opened his game-sealing run with an around-the-back dribble to get to the hoop and get fouled. On the other end, he delivered a two-handed rejection of Michigan's Charles Matthews – his second block of the game – when Matthews tried to bring it into the paint.

"Blocked shots, definitely," DiVincenzo said when asked if he enjoys 3s or rejections more. "I pride myself on defence and just bringing energy to the team."

The 3 that sealed it came from a big step behind the arc and gave Villanova a 62-44 lead with a bit less than eight minutes left.

About the only drama left was whether DiVincenzo could unwrap himself from his teammates' mob hug to toss the ball underhanded toward the scoreboard after the buzzer. He succeeded there, too.

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Villanova guard Mikal Bridges celebrates after cutting down the net after the championship game against Michigan in the Final Four of the NCAA basketball tournament, San Antonio, US, Monday, April 2, 2018.

Mikal Bridges finished with 19 in what could be his final audition for the NBA. Player of the Year Jalen Brunson was celebrating despite an off night – nine points and two rebounds. His struggles barely mattered.

What a couple months it's been for Philly. First the Eagles. Now this. The Super Bowl, though, was a classic. This one was only beautiful to one team.

Michigan (33-8) came out playing tough-nosed defence it relied on over a 14-game winning streak that got the Wolverines to their second final in six years.

Moe Wagner scored 11 early points to continue his great play in the Final Four. Villanova started 1 for 9 from 3-point range. And yet, after DiVincenzo banged down a 3 from a step behind the arc for Villanova's second of the night, coach John Beilein looked at the scoreboard and saw his team behind, 23-21.

"The way DiVincenzo shot the ball, it was just incredible for us to try to win that game with the roll he went on," Beilein said.

If his first 3 wasn't demoralising enough, DiVincenzo made another, then took a bounce pass from Brunson for a dunk, then paid it forward with an assist to Omari Spellman. It was part of a 23-7 run that gave the Wildcats a nine-point lead at halftime; they never looked back.

For the record, DiVincenzo has no problem starting games on the bench.

He's been willing to do whatever's needed since he arrived in 2015. His season cut short because of a knee injury, he was healthy enough to run the scout squad for Villanova during its first title run. Some on the team said he did Oklahoma star Buddy Hield better than Hield.

But maybe a more apt comparison is to ... Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?

DiVincenzo joins them in the rare club of players to crack 30 points while also shooting better than 66 percent from the floor in a Final Four game.

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Villanova fans during the first half of the broadcast of the national NCAA college basketball championship between Villanova and Michigan, Monday, April 2, 2018,

Villanova fans celebrate win

Villanova University students flooded the streets around campus outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to celebrate their team's 79-62 win over Michigan. As soon as the game finished, fans streamed out into the streets, cheering and chanting.

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In anticipation of celebrations, light poles around the university had been greased, but that didn't stop some fans from climbing them anyway.

News helicopter video showed a small fire being set in the street with some students trying to jump over the flames. Students could be seen climbing trees and grabbing branches to add fuel to the fire. Police later began to move people away from the flames.

There was no immediate word on any arrests.

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