NCAA championship game capsule: Villanova vs. Michigan

NCAA championship game

VILLANOVA VS. MICHIGAN

At San Antonio

8:20 p.m., TBS

What to watch: The Wolverines are bidding for the program’s second national championship, and the first for the Big Ten since Michigan State won in 2000. They were last in the title game in 2013, falling to Louisville. Michigan overcame a 10-point second half deficit to defeat Loyola 69-57 in the national semifinal. The Ramblers went 1 for 10 on three pointers, emphasizing a Michigan strength. The Wolverines hold opponents to 32.7 percent on three-point shooting and about 16 attempts per game. In its 95-79 semifinal victory over Kansas, Villanova set a Final Four record by making 18 three-pointers and tied a mark with 40 attempts. But the Wildcats also can win without scoring from deep. They made only four in their region title victory over Texas Tech. Jalen Brunson is Villanova’s do-it-all point guard and one of six Wildcats to average in double figures. The Wildcats were superb offensively against the Jayhawks; the Wolverines played their usual strong defense against Loyola. Forward Moritz Wagner and guard Charles Matthews have been Michigan’s big guns during the tournament. Villanova bids for a second national championship in three years and third in the program history.

Line: Villanova by 6 1/2

Prediction: Villanova 78-70

This story was originally published April 1, 2018 at 5:15 PM with the headline "NCAA championship game capsule: Villanova vs. Michigan."