Former Villanova coach Rollie Massimino witnesses another thriller
Villanova Coach Jay Wright, left, celebrates with former Wildcats Coach Rollie Massimino after winning the school’s first national championship since 1985.
Villanova Coach Jay Wright strolled past half-snipped nets late Monday evening, feet fluttering over confetti, an arm around Rollie Massimino.
Massimino, the former Villanova coach, is no stranger to championship-game thrillers. In 1985, his Villanova team shocked Georgetown, 66-64, to win the title. It was widely considered one of the greatest upsets in championship-game history.
It was Villanova’s only title, until Monday.
Afterward Massimino, 81, said that when Kris Jenkins’ game-winning shot went in, “I almost jumped on the court.”
When asked which of the two games ranked first, Massimino sounded almost wounded.
“This one’s one!” he said.
Off their game
Villanova’s stubborn defense forced North Carolina into a game unlike any it has seen this season.
North Carolina prefers to pound the ball inside to forwards Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks. The Tar Heels scored 50 points in the paint in their last game. Against Villanova, they scored 26, their second-lowest total of the season.
“They challenge every shot,” guard Marcus Paige said. “We also missed a bunch of shots at the rim. I can think of a couple times where I got the ball all the way in the paint, and the ball rimmed out, or we got the ball exactly where we wanted to, we missed a tipin. You can’t have those back.”
For the first time all season, the Tar Heels went without a single fastbreak point. They were forced to rely on the three-pointer. They made 11, tying a season high.
Arch soars
Every year, broadcaster Jim Nantz, who called Monday’s game, tries to continue a tradition. As he explained to Villanova guard Ryan Arcidiacono moments after the game, he gives his necktie “to a senior who inspires me.”
On Monday, Arcidiacono walked off the court with the tie around his neck. It wasn’t the only honor Monday — he was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
Teammates Phil booth and Josh Hart also made the all-tournament team, as did North Carolina’s Joel Berry II and Johnson.
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