Kris Jenkins. Legend.#NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/6UrOpPXxae
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
Villanova and North Carolina treated the country to one of the most classic endings in NCAA National Championship history.
- Villanova 77 (No. 2 seed)
- North Carolina 74 (No. 1 seed)
- NCAA Championship, Final, Box Score
- Houston, Texas
We knew the basketball gods owed us big time.
After the two duds in the National Semi-Finals that saw Syracuse and Oklahoma bow out so harmlessly, the nation felt robbed.
The only way to feel fulfilled? How about a National Championship game that’ll instantly be considered one of the greatest of all-time. And if not the greatest game of all-time, easily the greatest finish of all-time.
That’s what Villanova and North Carolina treated the nation to on Monday night.
Just when all hope was lost, as UNC’s Marcus Paige had to double-clutch from beyond the arc down three, his miraculous 3-pointer actually made its way through the cylinder:
#OnTNT Big Three for the Heels #TeamStream https://t.co/rvcm36j3uv
— March Madness TV (@MarchMadnessTV) April 5, 2016
MARCUS PAIGE!!! #NationalChampionship
https://t.co/y9RVKpoz5i— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
This would of been an iconic photo of Marcus Paige for years to come had UNC won that game. Wow. (H/T USA Today) pic.twitter.com/vNfx7W0XZg
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) April 5, 2016
However, Nova wasn’t done. Not by a long shot.
With just ticks remaining, Jay Wright designed a brilliant play that saw senior guard Ryan Arcidiacono dribble the ball the length of the court and dish off to a trailing Kris Jenkins for a game-winning deep ball:
https://twitter.com/FanSportsClips/status/717194235074580480
VILLANOVA IS YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPION! #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/CpREaifM7y
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
Raise that trophy! #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/uiD1MrQdnf
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
Cut down that net! #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/qV8EiZ8lFF
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!! https://t.co/QXjPTrQN6Y #NationalChampionship
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
The genius of the play was how Arcidiacono actually dished the ball and screened Jenkins man in a such a smooth, flawless fashion – all in one motion. And to top it off, the play was perfectly timed, as time expired just after Jenkins let it fly.
The final score of 77-74 will mean nothing in comparison to how this game will be remembered forever in the hearts of hoops fans everywhere.
Phil Booth was huge coming off the bench for Nova. He led the way with 20 points on 6-of-7 from the floor. For the Tar Heels it was Paige who led the way with 21.
The only thing left is “One Shining Moment.”
JENKINS AT THE BUZZER!!!
VILLANOVA WINS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!! pic.twitter.com/OZOhV8qsol
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
The Villanova teamstream call of the final shot pic.twitter.com/vTYkVo4txm
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) April 5, 2016
Jay Wright looked like he thought it was a first half buzzer beater https://t.co/q0AZkHYYQn
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) April 5, 2016
One of the greatest finishes in the history of sports. #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/A4TUKU2k7g
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
Villanova is now one of 15 programs to have won multiple National Championships. pic.twitter.com/OLMohj45l8
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
A dog pile of Cats! #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/K3jxI8bE71
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
Party like it's 1985! #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/tHFTwetQXC
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
