National Championship Game: Three keys to victory for both teams

By Joe Smeltzer

Photo creds to vstvhd.com

It started with 68, and now it's down to two. Tonight is national title night. We all know about the two teams that have made it to the show, and here is what they can do to come away with a national title.

Villanova 
Key #1: Shoot
It's been the Wildcats' bread and butter all season and it was on full display Saturday against Kansas when the 'Nova shot 55 percent from the field and 45 percent from beyond-the-arc. If the Wildcats' shots are falling, they have a great chance to win the game. But if they aren't...

Key #2: Offensive rebounding
Before the tournament, I wrote that Villanova's unproven offensive rebounding ability could cost it on a night where its shots weren't falling. The 'Cats' Elite Eight win over Texas Tech was one of those games. Nova shot just 33 percent, but thanks in large part to 20 offensive rebounds, the Wildcats pulled through and advanced to the Final Four. Michigan's defense won't make it easy for Villanova to score, so crashing the offensive glass could play a vital part for the 'Cats to win their second national title in three seasons.

Key #3: Contain Moe Wagner
He's the heart and soul of the Wolverines, and Loyola-Chicago found out how good he is Saturday when the German posted 24 points and 15 rebounds. The 6'11 Wagner can score down low, and his shooting isn't too bad either. He's a weapon that can hurt Villanova in a lot of ways, so if the 'Cats can limit him from going off too much, they'll be in good shape. It will be up to Omari Spellman to hold his own in the post against big Moe.


Michigan 
Key #1: Keep the shots from falling
Michigan had the top scoring defense in the Big 10 and was third in the conference in opposing field goal percentage, so the Wolverines know how to defend. They haven't encountered a test quite like Villanova, so to come away with a national title, the D is going to have to be on point.

Key #2: Defensive rebounding 
It's essential for Michigan that when Villanova misses a shot, that's the end of the possession. No second chances. It would be pretty crappy for the Wolverines if they do their job in limiting Villanova's shooting but still lose because they didn't box out.

Key #3: Slow the game down
If Michigan gets into a shootout with the Wildcats, it won't go well. For the Wolverines to pull an upset, they must slow the game down, and make it a "first-to-60" or a least a "first-to-70" type of deal. Just because Big Blue scored 99 points against Texas A&M doesn't mean that they should expect to do that again against Nova. The offense must slow things down, and keep the ball out of Jalen Brunson's hands as often as possible. The less time Villanova has the ball, the better.

Prediction
Every bracket I turned in had Villanova winning, and nothing that's happened over the past two weeks has changed my mind. The Wildcats are the best of the best, and its their time to spark a debate as to where they rank among college basketball's greatest four-year stretches. Rejoice, Philly.

Villanova 78, Michigan 66