The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Michigan Wolverines 79-62 on Monday, April 2nd to cap off another great season and win their second national championship in three years. The Cats, led by Coach Jay Wright and Player of the Year Jalen Brunson, were the last ones standing in a tournament that really emphasized the “Madness” in March Madness.

This tournament saw upsets, buzzer beaters, and the pinnacle of emotions on the court. From the incredible upset of Virginia by UMBC to the phenomenal and surprising run to the Final Four by Loyola-Chicago, this year had it all. Loyola-Chicago was quite a story. They became a household name with game-winning shots in the first and second rounds against Miami and Tennessee and their national treasure, Sister Jean. Alas, the Ramblers could not finish the story and lost to Michigan in the semi-finals.

Other big upsets by the Buffalo Bulls against heavy favorites Arizona and Florida State’s stunning victory in the second round against #1 seed Xavier knocked the college basketball world upside down. Yet, in the end, it would be the consistency of Villanova that put it right side up again.

While other big name programs were getting knocked out, such as the defending champion UNC Tar Heels, who made a quick exit in a loss to Texas A&M in the second round, or Kentucky, who came up just short against Kansas State in the Sweet 16, Nova refused to be on the wrong side of history. In the first round, the Wildcats handled #16 seeded Radford, 87-61. In the second, they took down Alabama 81-58 to advance to the Sweet 16. Jay Wright’s guys were playing at a different level against West Virginia, beating the Mountaineers in another dominating performance, 90-78.

In the Elite Eight, Villanova matched up against another potential champ in the Texas Tech Red Raiders. While many felt this was a match up of two great teams, the Wildcats put on a show as five players scored in double digits in a resounding 71-59 victory that sent them back to the Final Four. As Villanova squared off against the Kansas Jayhawks, the public saw the potential for a historical classic between two elite programs. It was historic for the Wildcats, who knocked down 18, yes 18, three pointers in the game, setting a Final Four record.

In the title game, Michigan kept it close early on, but Villanova took the lead and never looked back. A great performance came from the whole team, especially sophomore Donte Divincenzo, who poured in 31 points off the bench. As the clock hit zero and the confetti rained down, the Philadelphia area needed to make room in the trophy case as Villanova brought another title to the city, their second in three years.