San Antonio – All that separated Michigan from lasting glory was 40 minutes and one of the nation’s best offenses.
The third-seeded Wolverines were up to the test much of the first half. They frustrated Villanova star guard and player of the year Jalen Brunson, and limited star forward Mikal Bridges.
But Michigan had no answer for Villanova sixth man Donte DiVincenzo, who keyed a backbreaking 23-7 run and hit clutch shot after clutch shot to push the Wildcats past the Wolverines, 79-62, in the national title game Monday at the Alamodome.
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 23, Moritz Wagner 16 and Zavier Simpson 10 for Michigan (33-8), which shot 3-for-23 from 3-point range and fell to 1-6 all-time in the national championship game.