There’s a reason why they call it “March Madness” and why they have “One Shining Moment” at the end of every National Basketball Championship broadcast.
It’s because of games like this one and players like Kris Jenkins.
31 years after the Villanova Wildcats stunned Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas, Jay Wright and his #2 ranked Wildcats gave fans one of the greatest endings in Tournament Championship history, defeating the North Carolina Tarheels 77-74 in Houston.
It was an amazing game from start to finish, one that both teams could have won. While UNC lead at the half, the Wildcats went on a run and were up 10 with less than six minutes to go. But then UNC rallied back from the deficit with 4:43 to go, and it was back and forth from there.
With less than two minutes remaining, the Wildcats led 70-64 when Marcus Paige hit a three to bring the Tar Heels to within three. After a turnover by Villanova senior Ryan Arcidiacono, Brice Johnson cut the lead to one with a shot off the glass.
The Wildcats Phil Booth made it a three point game with two free throws with a little over 35 seconds left, before Paige hit an unbelievable three pointer to tie the game with a little under five seconds remaining.
After a timeout, Arcidiancono pushed the ball downcourt and flipped it back to Kris Jenkins for the amazing, game winning three point shot, giving Villanova the victory with 0.00 remaining on the clock.
It was the type of game where you almost wanted Jenkins to miss so you could watch an overtime period between two two great teams who left it all on the court.
Such a tough loss after an incredible performance by Marcus Paige. #NationalChampionshippic.twitter.com/f5MCgVFw7O
NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
But Villanova fans are excited to have the win, and even happier that Kris Jenkins, whose shooting coach growing up was his Mother, took the winning shot.
Kris Jenkins had no doubt. #NationalChampionshippic.twitter.com/POFtOssxIj
NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
