The Battle of One versus Two…Kansas vs Villanova. The winner moves on to the Final Four in Houston; the loser…well…goes home empty handed. Kansas was considered the heavy odds-on favorite to win the National title; Villanova was looking to play spoiler. Villanova was looking for their first Final Four since 2009.

Kansas struck first on a layup by Devonte’ Graham at just a minute and five seconds into the game. In the first half, the Bulldogs guarded Kansas so well that it took Kansas out of their normal comfort zone and required them to make the best shots, which they only did some of the time. At the break, Villanova led Kansas 32-26. Villanova used their balanced attack to spread Kansas out. Coming out of the break, Kansas rebounded and eventually retook the lead, but when Kansas had the lead, it never really seemed as if they did. Kansas played like they were trying to get the lead back. They made dangerous plays that really did not even work. Villanova would rebound later with a 10-0 run. ‘Nova would knock off the Kansas Jayhawks 64-59.

Ryan Arcidiacono, Kris Jenkins, and Josh Hart all had 13 point for Villanova. Graham had 17 points for the Jayhawks, Wayne Selden, Jr., and Frank Mason III both added 16 points in the losing effort.

Villanova will move on to play the winner of Oklahoma and Oregon in the Final Four from Houston.