Villanova Uses Balanced Approach To Upset Kansas, Move On To Final Four

The Villanova Wildcats are heading to Houston, and the 2016 Final Four, after upsetting the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, the Kansas Jayhawks, 64-59. Jay Wright‘s team played brilliant defense against the Jayhawks, holding them 23 points under their season average.

Offensively, the Wildcats were led by Kris Jenkins, Josh Hart and Ryan Arcidiacono who each scored 13 points, while Daniel Ochefu added 10 points and eight rebounds. Mikal Bridges also played some huge minutes as Jenkins was in foul trouble and added six points and five steals.

Next up for the Wildcats is a rematch against the Oklahoma Sooners with a spot in the 2016 National Championship Game on the line. The Sooners won the first matchup back on Dec. 7 in the Pearl Harbor Invitational, 78-55. In that game, Villanova only shot 31.7 percent from the field and 4-of-32 from three-point range. They will have have to shoot a much better percentage in the rematch if they are going to play for the title.

The Jayhawks shot better from the field than the Wildcats on Saturday night and knocked down two more three-pointers, but the difference was made at the foul-line as Villanova knocked down 18-of-19 while Kansas only hit 7-of-11. That aggressiveness speaks to the fearlessness of the Villanova guards who repeatedly drove the lane and drew fouls.

Villanova will be playing in its fourth Final Four when it matches up next weekend with the Sooners and the red-hot Buddy Hield. A victory will send the Wildcats to their second National Championship Game, and first since winning it all in 1985.