Comfort is off the table as UNC, Villanova meet for NCAA title

HOUSTON – Two national semifinals. Two blowouts.

It's hard to think anyone saw that coming, present victors included.

"I wouldn't have believed it," Villanova guard Ryan Arcidiacono said of the 61-point combined margin of victory in the two games.

But as commanding — and perhaps, from a fan's perspective, disappointing — as North Carolina's romp over Syracuse and Villanova's public execution of Oklahoma were, the battle the two games set up is likely to provide all the drama and suspense Monday night that the Saturday night slate lacked, at least at a glance.

North Carolina-Villanova. A top seed vs. a No. 2 seed that is showing up the selection committee more every day. A lockdown frontcourt vs. a four-guard attack. The preseason No. 1 vs. the postseason darling.

"This is going to be a hell of a game," Villanova coach Jay Wright said.

Statistics agree.

Villanova, ranked No. 1, and North Carolina, No. 2, have more than earned their spots, according to statistician Ken Pomeroy, whose analytics say that they have been the best two teams in the nation all year, something that hasn't happened in the final four since 2008. The Wildcats and the Tar Heels also have been two of the deepest, and most balanced teams. And most recently both have made big statements in the way they've tossed aside opponents, regardless of seeding.

North Carolina, playing its best basketball of the season, has won its past five games by a total of 81 points, falling 12th on the list of most dominant title game entrants of all time. Villanova has been even more dominant, trumping opponents in its past five games by 121 points. It also could be argued that the Wildcats had the tougher path. While North Carolina's past three opponents have been 15th, 35th and 24th in the regular-season rankings, per Pomeroy, each of Villanova's past three foes have landed inside of the top 13.

That domination was never more obvious for Villanova than on Saturday, when the 'Cats walloped a talented Oklahoma team by 44 points while shooting 71.4 percent — a stunning stat that was news to some North Carolina players even Sunday.

"Is that what they shot yesterday?" Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson said. "That's hard to do even if you're shooting by yourself. I mean, that's eye-opening. … We got to be ready to play against a very good team."

North Carolina had haymakers to deliver Saturday, too, but far fewer and against a far less imposing team in Syracuse, whom the Tar Heels topped by a comfortable 17 points.

But suggest that Villanova might be unbeatable in its current state and you're sure to get a few long, cold stares from anyone in Carolina blue and white.

"Every team is beatable," Tar Heels big man Brice Johnson said Sunday. "Why would you ever think a team is unbeatable? That's not the smartest thing to say."

In any case, the road to victory for either team requires making its competitor bend to its strengths.

For all the similarities that these teams boast, the styles are quite different. Villanova kills opponents with relentless pressure defensively and with four guards capable of driving or shooting. North Carolina, meanwhile, overwhelms its adversaries with brute force inside, capitalizing on advantages on the boards and under the basket.

In their own strengths and at adapting to others' strengths, both teams have appeared to get better as the year has gone on. Both teams, despite their great leaps, their big blowouts in recent days, believe there is another step to take.

"We always can improve," Wildcats freshman Mikal Bridges said. "We always can play harder. We can always do more of the little things, be more aggressive, dive for more balls."

That will likely be required for whoever seizes this year's championship against a team that is similarly motivated but so differently structured.

"We have perimeter play that's different, a lot different from theirs," Wright said. "Obviously we're going to have to deal with their size, their length, their rebounding.

"It's going to be a battle of wills."