Villanova knocks off Michigan 63-55 to advance to Elite 8 of NCAA Tournament

Jermaine Samuels scored 22 factors, Collin Gillespie scored 12 and made a key 3-pointer late, and Villanova managed Michigan in a 63-55 Candy 16 victory on Thursday evening within the NCAA Event.

Samuels and Gillespie have been freshmen in that title run a number of years in the past. Now, they’re grizzled veterans and long-time starters who’re nonetheless round due to the additional season of eligibility because of the pandemic.

They’re additionally the driving power for second-seeded Villanova (28-7), which superior to the South Area ultimate. They will play No. 5 seed Houston (32-5), which beat high seed Arizona 72-60. It is the deepest run within the match for Villanova since coach Jay Wright received the second of his two nationwide titles in 2018 – towards Michigan.

Samuels’ 8-of-13 capturing efficiency, a lot of it approaching powerful drives via Michigan defenders and round Wolverines 7-foot-1 middle Hunter Dickinson, carried a Wildcats offense that had lengthy stretches of misfiring on 3-pointers.

Samuels battled Dickinson on each ends of the court docket, and challenged the large man each time he had the ball to divert pictures or power outlet passes.

“I simply wished to remain cellular and transfer,” Samuels mentioned. “He is an exceptional participant, so he will get nice seems to be on the basket. However that I’ve teammates behind me gave me all the arrogance I wanted.”

The loss ends a turbulent season for the Wolverines (19-15) and coach Juwan Howard, whose group squeaked into the match discipline solely to shine within the first two rounds. Howard was suspended for 5 video games late within the season for hitting a Wisconsin assistant throughout a postgame handshake line.

“We realized lots (about) who we’re,” Howard mentioned. “We all the time speak about Michigan being a household. We have been probably the most linked group this 12 months due to the actual fact everybody has been supporting one another. After I stroll away from this season, and I look again, there is not any motive to not maintain your head up excessive.”

Villanova twice threatened to drag away within the second half, however the Wolverines matched Nova’s 3-point capturing in spurts to hold round. Guard Eli Brooks saved rescuing Michigan with 3-pointers, making 3 of 5. One in every of Brooks’ 3s, plus two free throws from Terrance Williams II, had the Wolverines inside 54-50 with simply over 3 minutes left.

Michigan had loads of match expertise to lean on. That they had fought again from halftime deficits towards Colorado State and Tennessee to make the Candy 16 for the fifth consecutive 12 months.

However after Dickinson, who led the Wolverines with 15 factors and 15 rebounds, missed close to the basket, Samuels blew by him on the opposite finish for a layup. Gillespie adopted it with a 3-pointer – his fourth of the game- from the left wing to make it 59-50 with 1:52 to play.

That was the cushion the Wildcats wanted, as Michigan closed inside six factors earlier than Samuels made 4 three throws over the ultimate 13 seconds to place it away.

Defensively, Villanova refused to yield house underneath the basket to Michigan’s large man, who got here in averaging 24 factors in Michigan’s two NCAA Event wins. Dickinson was 6 of 16 capturing.

FLASHBACK: Villanova Wildcats win 2018 NCAA Championship

“We requested a number of (Samuels) him on the defensive finish guarding Dickinson lots. After which on the offensive finish, we’re attempting to maneuver Dickinson round,” Wright mentioned. “Which it sounds good except you are man that is bought to go. You are operating round, setting screens, chopping to make him comply with you … He by no means wished to return out.”

BIG PICTURE

Michigan: Guard DeVante’ Jones was again within the beginning lineup. He missed the Wolverines’ first-round sport towards Colorado State due to concussion protocols, and was held out of the second half of the second-round win over Tennessee when his signs returned. He scored seven and had 5 rebounds towards Villanova, additionally left the sport briefly within the second half when he fell arduous to the ground chasing a free ball.

Villanova: The Wildcats have been launching 3-pointers all season and there was nothing to discourage them after they weren’t falling towards the Wolverines. The Wildcats have been 9 of 30 from lengthy vary – their ninth sport this season with at the very least 30 makes an attempt. Probably the most was 50 in a win over Syracuse.

“We’ve got a saying, ‘Shoot ’em up, sleep within the streets,’” Wright mentioned. “We’re OK if we have open pictures.”

On his phrases: Collin Gillespie, after harm, returning to Villanova for a fifth 12 months

FAB FIVE

Howard’s former Michigan teammates Jalen Rose and Ray Jackson from the “Fab 5” period that performed for 2 nationwide titles have been within the Michigan cheering part. Rose stood your entire sport, sporting a hoodie that mentioned “Black As Hail.” Jackson wore a yellow “Wolverine Tradition” shirt.

INJURED WILDCAT

Earlier than the sport, Villanova introduced freshman guard Jordan Longino’s season was executed. He wants arthroscopic surgical procedure to restore a torn meniscus in his left knee. He was harm in follow on March 16 and did not play within the tourney. longino performed in 26 video games this season, averaging 8.8 minutes and 1.8 factors.

“We’re all crushed for Jordan that this harm has prevented him from taking part in within the NCAA Event,” Wright mentioned.

UP NEXT

Villanova will face a Houston group backed by a giant crowd, since San Antonio is only a three-hour drive from the Cougars’ residence metropolis. Villanova and Houston have not met for the reason that 1991-1992 season.