Kris Jenkins will be a hero to Villanova fans forever.
His game-winning jump shot at the buzzer was the greatest shot in the history if the NCAA tournament, given its importance. There have been many buzzer-beaters in the tournament, but to do it in that situation was amazing.
The Wildcats won their second national championship by edging North Carolina, 77-74 in an incredibly dramatic ending.
Ryan Arcidiacono made a brilliant play, bringing the ball up the court with 4.7 seconds left. He kept his poise under pressure. It was the perfect way to end his college career.
And Jenkins squared his body and confidently let it fly.
Jay Wright got to duplicate the feat accomplished in 1985 by his mentor, Rollie Massimino, who won the national title by upsetting Georgetown.
One of the surprise Villanova heroes was Phil Booth who came into the title game averaging 6.7 points per game. He had 20 against the Heels, hitting 6 of 7 shots from the field.
He also made a big play late in the first half that gave the Wildcats some momentum. Down 39-32, North Carolina had a chance to go up nine. Instead, Booth made a shot at the end of the half to get Villanova to within five at 39-34.
North Carolina had its own flair for the dramatic with a late run, coming back from a 10-point deficit. Marcus Paige hit a game-tying 3-pointer on a wild shot which was then overshadowed by Jenkins' heroics.
The game had surprising statistics. Before the game, there was so much talk of the Tar Heels pounding the ball inside. Instead it was Joel Berry and Paige combining for 41 points. North Carolina, which struggled shooting the trifecta during the season, was 11-of-17 on three-pointers.
There were size advantages and mismatches against Villanova, but the Wildcats fronted Kennedy Meeks and Brice Johnson.
Villanova won the game with just six assists and two offensive rebounds.
Watching the intensity and emotion and the communication skills on defense by the Wildcats was so impressive.
Give the Wildcats defense credit. They stopped Perry Ellis of Kansas, Buddy Hield of Oklahoma, and contained Brice Johnson.
Congratulations to Jay Wright and the Wildcats for cutting down the nets in Houston. There was so much emotion, tears of joy. They are still celebrating on the Main Line, baby!