Big Dance: Villanova Blasts, Michigan Cruises into the Final

This was a Saturday for observations and comparisons instead of drama.

There was no Madness in the semi-finals.

Michigan gave Loyola-Chicago a glimmer of hope here and there, but in the end, the Wolverines were just that much better than the Ramblers.

Villanova, on the other hand, took a tourney-hardened opponent in Kansas, and the term total domination was still an understatement for their performance.

 

For real.

The Wildcats were so thoroughly complete in everything they did that the Michigan-Loyola game was basically and undercard.

John Beilein's crew closed the storybook on Sister Jean's flock, doing just enough to keep the game interesting, as if dangling the proverbial carrot out there until it was time to get down to business and close out a 69-57 result that adequately reflected the proceedings.

 

Their high-post offense got them this far, but that may be a weak spot against 'Nova.

It's an important consideration, because as well-oiled as Jay Wright's machine is, the Wildcats have no flaws in their blueprint.

And that gives them a solid platform to do special things, like rain the hell outta Kansas with a heretofore never-seen-in-the-Dance barrage of treys against Kansas:

 

If that 95-79 display didn't establish 'Nova as a prohibitive favorite for Monday night's title tilt, then it's time to get another batch of tea leaves.

 

Beilein surely sees the enormity of Michigan's situation in the championship game.

Some may recommend that he'll structure a defensive scheme to force 'Nova inside, but really, Wright's got Omari Spellman down there.

And on occasion, out there:

 

If Michigan pulls off a stunner on Monday night, it won't exactly be like a Miracle on Ice moment or even like UMBC entering the singularity on Virginia.

But it'll be a damn sight closer than they'll be given credit for.