Michigan vs Villanova National Championship Prediction Thread.. Who ya got?

Submitted by ThatGuyCeci on

UM outshoots Villanova from 3.. wins on a game winning 3 pointer from Duncan Robinson 72-69 as time expires.

MGoGrendel

April 2nd, 2018 at 10:16 AM ^

we have a great chance.  Villinova's four losses this yere were close games.  Looks they won one close game in regulation and one in OT.

Michigan has been in a few close games this tournament and is battle tested.

I predict our defense holds them under 75 and Michigan wins a close game.  A few missed free throws down the stretch cause short term panic.

samdrussBLUE

April 2nd, 2018 at 10:52 AM ^

The thing is, Louisville had two quick as hell and good guards, and our guys admitted they hadn't seen anything like that and it was very difficult for them to handle. That isn't the case this time around. So this feels like a closer game from the start.

dragonchild

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:33 AM ^

If M scores off their open looks, they win.  They lose if they don't.  Villanova isn't unstoppable, but for once, defense alone won't be enough.

swalburn

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:35 AM ^

I'm pretty sure they are better than us.  I'm glad we get them in a winner take all game.  We need to shoot the ball better than we have recently and play great defense.  I think we need at least 70 points and probably 75 to have a realistic shot to win.  I'll be a homer and take the good guys 74-69.  I keep telling myself we are playing with house money at this point and it has been a great season.  I feel the basketball gods owe us after 2013.  I've convinced myself we will win.

Anchew

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:38 AM ^

Z/X avier shuts out Brunson which screws with novas rhythm. Michigan pulls ahead in the 2nd half, keeping villanova 15 points below their season average and wins 78-72. Let's Go Blue!

1VaBlue1

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:40 AM ^

Defense will show up - it always does.  I'm going to bet on M hitting slightly above season averages from both the field and the charity strip.  I picked M over Kansas 74-66 in the pick'em, so I'll stick with that score over Nova.  The desperation fouls in the end game will push the score as Michigan closes out another nail biter in the last couple of minutes.

I mean, this team knows how to close out a win better than any I can remember in a long time!

The Man Down T…

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:40 AM ^

1. Good guys give them a hell of a game and win a close one

2. Win or lose, I fight back tears knowing it's the last time for MAAR and Robinson and probably Wagner.

3. If Beilein gets to cut the net, I'll blather tears of happiness like a little baby for him

cletus318

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:41 AM ^

Michigan 72 Villanova 65.

We're unlikely to win a shootout, so we'll have to control tempo and keep the score in the 60s to low 70s. Beyond the obvious factors, to me there are two big keys to the game. The first is how we handle things when Mo goes to the bench. Given the way Villanova plays, this could easily be a game where Teske just can't play. We'll likely need to survive some minutes with Livers at the 5, and I wouldn't be shocked to see a Simpson-MAAR-Matthews-Robinson-Poole lineup for a stretch. Second, we'll have to win the minutes when Brunson sits. He makes everything go for them, we'll need some spurts when he's on the bench.

funkywolve

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:53 AM ^

Asking him to play defense 20 feet from the basket on someone who can shoot the three or drive to the hole seems like a big ask.  It will be interesting to see how minutes get allocated tonight, but I see Pool or Livers getting more time then usual and Teske getting less time then usual.

cletus318

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:59 AM ^

Right, and it's not a situation where he can overwhelm them with his size on the offensive end. It'll be obvious pretty early whether he can be a factor because Nova is going to test him (and to a lesser extent Duncan) off the dribble.

bokee88

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:43 AM ^

finally lose and break that streak. Wagner will miss his first 3 from the top foreshadowing what is to come. Ugh. I hate myself for typing this.

bluebyyou

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:58 AM ^

During our streak, Nova lost a couple of games and we didn't.  I keep telling myself we have a chance if our D can give a bit of a shock to their system.  Just hope the refs don't call early fouls on every little touch and do what they did to Trey in the first half in our last NC game, not that Spike was bad.

Maybe one of the Drips gets hot and does a Spike.

Khaleke The Freak

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^

by starting and staying hot from the perimeter, Villanova cools off and Michigan gets some tough drives to the rim to close out the Wildcats 78-72 MICHIGAN!

MarcusRay97

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:51 AM ^

If we can get in a offensive groove like we did against A&M or close to it we will win...if not it might get ugly ... I say Villanova by 8

American Hotel

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:52 AM ^

Matthews and Wagner carry over their excellent play from Saturday, Simpson frustrates Brunson, and MAAR has the game of his life (25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists). Robinson scores 16, and Jim McElwain and Chris Webber are spotted sitting together.

mgobaran

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:52 AM ^

Lost in the Loyola game, Michigan scored 47 2nd half points. Offense could be heating up just in time...

The only prediction I have though is that i am going to be an axiety riddled mess and that I am going to hate the late start time tomorrow morning. Easily a 2-hour cool down after the game ends, win or lose.

ak47

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:54 AM ^

Villanova is the better team but I give no fucks and anything can happen during one night of basketball.

Can't say I'm confident but I'm happy and excited to watch.

JWG Wolverine

April 2nd, 2018 at 9:55 AM ^

FUCK..Even Oz The Mentalist, a Michigan grad, picked Nova to beat his own team. Even though he wants to be wrong, he says it will happen.

I haven't had these nerves in a looong time.