After what could arguably be the craziest NCAA Tournament in history, we have finally made it to the 2018 National Championship Game. Started with 68 teams hungry to make it to the next round, and now sit at two, standing alone, doing anything they can to get that title. The two teams are the Michigan Wolverines and the Villanova Wildcats. Both have fought to make it hear and both are hungry to bring home the trophy.
2018 National Championship
Michigan Wolverines
With a chance to hang another banner and take home the 2018 NCAA National Championship Trophy, Michigan is going to have to stick to what they know best, offense. The offensive coaching style of John Beilein has been a nightmare for teams. It seems anything a defense does could be counterattacked with something else from the Michigan toolbox. Moritz Wagner is the key to this Wolverines offense. His ability to do almost anything puts a lot of versatility to what this offense can do. Even though Wagner is the center point in this offense they are also going to need his teammates to step up in crunch time. But do not worry, Jordan Poole knows everything about coming in clutch. Even though their offense has been the moneymaker for this team, as of late, they have been stepping up on defense. On the defensive side of things, they were able to slow down the Cinderella run of the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers defeating them 69-57. To win this game they are going to have to stick to their name and play their own game. If Villanova is able to change the pace of the game it could end badly for the Wolverines.
Moritz Wagner is flexing. Look. Out. Below. pic.twitter.com/nlqmA1NJkK
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) April 1, 2018
With every upside for a team, comes a downside. One thing that could hurt the Wolverines chances in this game is that they have not played as an underdog in any of their tournament games. With both number one Virginia, going down in the history as the first number one seed to lose to a 16 seed, and Xavier going down in early rounds, the Wolverines have been the favorite in each of their games. They have not even played a top five seeded opponent. Another thing that could hurt the Wolverines chances is their guards. Not having a solid guard who can take over a game is not a good matchup against Villanova’s AP Player of the year, guard Jalen Brunson. Even though they have not been the best all-around team, they have done figured it out and done something right to make it to this game. Michigan might just have another banner to put up in their gym.
Villanova Wildcats
Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Donte DiVincenzo could arguably the best big three in college basketball. With them leading the Wildcats, everyone expected them to be in this position. After defeating Kansas 95-79 it is even more obvious on why this team is in the position. This team knows what it feels like to win it all as they did just that in 2016. They also know that three-pointers add up to more points than two-pointers, as they broke the NCAA record for most three-pointers made in a season with 449. Their ability to get guys open shots is unmatched, and their hot shooting has taken them over the top.
Watch ALL 13 of Villanova’s record-tying 13 three’s in a #FinalFour game…
oh, and this was just the FIRST HALF! #LetsMarchNova pic.twitter.com/cjpSLy3JD9
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 1, 2018
Even though this team looks as if they could do no wrong, they are not perfect. They have games where the ball just will not go in the basket, and if jinx has anything to do with it, this game could be that game. Every team that is hot, has the ability to go cold. Also, if Villanova cannot get to the free throw line that could be a problem. To beat this Wildcat squad, a team must not foul and must force them to take bad shots. With the way Michigan is playing, they could be the team to do just that.
This game will be filled with a lot of offense and a lot of energy. Let’s see who comes out on top.
