If the Villanova Wildcats are able to win their second national title in three years, the 3-point shot is going to be a huge part of it.
During their dominant victory over Kansas on Saturday, the Wildcats shattered the Final Four record for most 3-pointers by nailing 18 long-range bombs against the Jayhawks. Those 18 makes give Villanova 454 for the season, breaking an 11-year-old college record. If they are able to defeat Michigan in the NCAA title game, the Wildcats will be only the second national champ to have made more than 400 3s in a season. (The 2001 Duke team being the answer to that trivia question.)
Of the 174 players across the country who tried at least 200 3s this season, Villanova has three – Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo.
“When you go into a game, teams all say ‘Take away the 3 and make them take tough 2s.’ You don’t worry a whole lot when guys are making tough 2s. But when they’re making 3s, you’re worried about that,” said Sacramento State coach Brian Katz. “It used to be you used the 2 to set up the 3. Now I think the 3 sets up the 2. It’s completely an outside-in game.”
Considering the Wildcats have won their five tournament games by an average of 17.8 points, it seems more than likely shooting from downtown will be trending up across NCAA basketball.
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