It seems like every Final Four someone declares, “This will go down as one of the best title games in recent memory,” until the following year when it happens all over again.
Two slowed down elite defensive teams didn’t garner much hype, but Monday night’s matchup in Minneapolis delivered on the promise that March Madness is the greatest show on earth.
388 days after Virginia got sideswiped in the first round by 16th seeded UMBC, the Cavaliers overcame a tenacious Texas Tech team to capture their first National Championship.
Cavs coach Tony Bennett, who thanked his lord and savior, may have gotten some divine intervention from the big guy with the controversial victory over Auburn, but Virginia didn’t need any help from above for this one.
With the Red Raiders up 68-65 with 12.9 seconds left in regulation, the Cavaliers found themselves in familiar territory. Twice earlier in the tournament they sank the tying basket at the regulation buzzer in their Elite Eight win over Purdue, and of course, the fateful defeat against Auburn in the national semifinals on Kyle Guy’s three free throws with 0.6 seconds on the game clock.
Bennett’s boys were grace under pressure, putting on a clinic at the line in OT – a perfect 12-12.
Virginia got major offensive contributions from Guy and Ty Jerome, and insane defensive blocks by Mamadi Diakite, but it was De’Andre Hunter who stole the show.
The redshirted sophomore came late to the scoring party with a paltry five points in the first half, prevailing in the second half with 22 points for a career high 27. His shot from behind the arc at the end of regulation forced another frame.
Hunter, who missed the festivities last season due to an
injury, accomplished the goal he and his teammates set out to do at the
beginning of the year. A storybook ending to remove the bitter taste from 388 days
ago.
