Final Four

drive during the postseason, had 21. They combined to make 6 of 13 3-pointers them- selves, but didn’t get much help.

But the hoop was as wide as the Alamodome for pretty much everyone in a Wildcats 69, Loyola 57 jersey. Seven Nova players Staring down a 10-point made 3’s. Villanova shot 50 deficit against an underdog percent from behind the arc that seemed nothing short of in the first half to put things blessed during the madness out of reach — and 45 perof March, Moe Wagner and cent for the game. Michigan clamped down on

“That happens sometimes Loyola-Chicago and ended when you’re a good-shoot- one of the most memorable ing team and when you start NCAA Tournament runs ever. that way,” Villanova coach Wagner, Charles Matthews Jay Wright said. “It’s hard and the Wolverines erased for Kansas, it’s hard to come that deficit and Michigan beat back. That doesn’t happen the Ramblers 69-57 Saturday often. We’re lucky it hap- night in the Final Four. pened tonight.” The third-seeded Wolver

Player of the Year Jalen ines (33-7) will take a 14-game Brunson made three 3’s and winning streak into their first finished with 18 points. Omari national championship game Spellman made three, as well, appearance since 2013, and in a 15-point, 13-rebound mon- second under coach Jon ster game. Beilein.

Villanova attempted 40 Lovable Loyola (32-6), with shots from 3, and only 25 superfan Sister Jean courtfrom 2. side and their fans behind

Kansas coach Bill Self the bench standing for pretty did what he could, urging much the entire game, could his 7-foot center, Udoka not conjure another upset. Azubuike, out of the paint and Loyola had no answers for into the faces of this group the 6-foot-11 Wagner, and its of hybrid forward-guards, all of whom can shoot. The big fella couldn’t get there.

The Jayhawks (31-8) made mini runs, but the deficit never got below double digits.

Devonte Grah a m, the senior guard who has been the glue in this Final Four season, led Kansas with 23 points. Malik Newman, who pushed his game into over- offense, so smooth and effi- cient on the way to San Antonio, broke down in the sec- ond half and finished with 17 turnovers.

Wagner, playing in front of his parents who made the trip from Germany, scored 24 points, had 15 rebounds and was 10 for 16 from the field. Matthews, the Kentucky transfer and Chicago native, added 17 points, including a run-out dunk with 1:33 left that made it 63-53.

And that was that.