Villanova knocks off Texas Tech to advance to second Final Four in three years | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Friday / March 29.
  • Villanova knocks off Texas Tech to advance to second Final Four in three years

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    By ADAM ZAGORIA

    Villanova is headed to its second Final Four in three years.

    Behind a balanced effort, No. 1 Villanova knocked off No 3 Texas Tech, 71-59, in the East Regional final at Boston’s TD Garden.

    Led by coach Jay Wright, the Wildcats will take a nine-game winning streak into one national semifinal on Saturday in San Antonio against the Duke/Kansas winner. Loyola-Chicago faces Michigan in the other national semifinal.

    “It wasn’t really a pretty offensive game, but we played pretty well defensively,” Wright told CBS. “I was proud of our guys.”

    The Wildcats won the 2016 NCAA title over North Carolina when Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Phil Booth were all on the team, and that same group is now two wins from their second championship in three years.

    “You just know how together we are,” Brunson said. “Every Villanova team I’ve been on in is like that. Every team is special.”

    Eric Paschall went for 15 rebounds and 12 points and Brunson tallied 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Donte DiVincenzo added 12 points and 8 rebounds, Mikal Bridges 12 points and 5 boards and Omari Spellman 11 points and 6 rebounds.

    After netting 44 three-pointers in their first three NCAA Tournament games, the Wildcats converted just 4-of-24 in this one.

    But the Wildcats did shoot 29-of-35 from the line.

    Texas Tech star Keenan Evans was held to 12 points on 3-of-15 shooting.

     

    Photo: Villanova Basketball

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    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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