The Donte Difference & Michigan's Downfall

Hope filled the air for ‘Nova fans. A second championship in 3 years was in fingertips grasp. For Michigan, a redemption on what some fans see as a championship taken away from them in 2013, whether it be the scandal that clouds Louisville’s program today, or you may even get the “Burke’s block was clean” argument from time to time. Either way, Monday night was going to provide these fans with peace.

Leading up to the game you heard about the National Player of The Year, Jalen Brunson, or first round pick teammate Mikal Bridges. Maybe even the mentioning of the great 3-point shooting team that was this Villanova squad, but when Villanova found themselves down early, there was one man who hit a pull-up three that seemed to change the course of the game. Early on it was Michigan setting the tone with their lockdown defense. Brunson had hit a couple fall away jumpers, and Xavier Simpson ended up holding him to only 9 points and 2 assists while going 31% for FGs. Other than that, it seemed that Wagner’s inside performance and Adbur-Rahkman’s finishing ability was setting the Wolverines to have a magical night.

When that 3-point shot from Donte DiVincenzo fell, it turned into his night. Whether it was his lights out shooting or slashing to the basket with a lightning-quick first step, the Wolverines defense that looked dominant since early February, seemed slow and vulnerable. The first half left Michigan with a weird sense of déjà-vu, whether it was referring back to the magical first half that Spike Albrecht had or thinking about the heartbreaking performance in the same game by Luke Hancock. Villanova was 11-0 when their bench player, DiVincenzo, scored 18+ points. He had 18 at the half.

Then there was a drive to the basket by tournament standout Charles Matthews for the maize and blue that had fans waiting for a poster dunk that would have surely turned around the game. Instead Matthews was met by the perfect vertical explosion that was Donte DiVincenzo resulting in a blocked shot. The game was a blowout victory for the Wildcats, with every attempt of a comeback shot down by either a deadly DiVincenzo 3, or one of the other members of the star-studded squad.

The madness is over and both teams will reflect in their own ways. For Villanova, it will be a championship celebration and quick turnaround for what should be another season at the top of the standings from start to finish, no matter the players that decide to stay or go.

The Wolverines on the other hand will have some waiting to do before they know what direction they will be taking next season. A season at Michigan for big man and Final Four star, Moritz Wagner, would be a season changer. If both him and Matthews were to stay, it would mean that the Wolverines would instantly be deemed contenders. If both go, it could mean another season similar to this one, or maybe one more like two years ago when they missed the tournament all together.