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Villanova proves to be model of consistency in March Madness win over Alabama

Did you notice this in the Wildcats win over the Crimson Tide?

Villanova guard Jalen Brunson fakes his shot attempt past Alabama guard John Petty during the first-half in the second-round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. YONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Villanova guard Jalen Brunson fakes his shot attempt past Alabama guard John Petty during the first-half in the second-round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. YONG KIM / Staff PhotographerRead moreYong Kim

PITTSBURGH – Villanova is one of the few teams in the country that can win a game played in the 60s or one played in 80s. During the regular season, the Wildcats led the nation in scoring at 87.1 points a game.

In the first half, however, Alabama's aggressive defense controlled the pace of play. Villanova had to go deep into the shot clock on most possessions.

As a result, a team that averaged 61.25 field goal attempts, got just 27 in the first half and only led 32-27.

Nova made the adjustment at the half. Mikal Bridges shot 12 seconds into the shot clock to start the second half and the Cats' next six shots were before 15 seconds had expired.

The Cats turned a five-point lead into a 50-28 advantage 4 ½ minutes into the second half. Nova had 27 second-half shots with just under six minutes left in the game. They finished with 63.

Model of Consistency

With Villanova's win over Providence in the Big East Tournament Championship game, Jay Wright joined Kansas coach Bill Self as the only active Division I coach to have four consecutive 30-win seasons.

After the Wildcats beat Alabama 81-58 they improved to 32-4, making them the only program in Division I history to have four straight seasons of 32 victories.