National championship open game thread

The Wildcats are playing for another national championship. Perhaps one day we’ll be able to say that about Kansas State, but tonight we’ll have to settle for a dynamic, likable Villanova squad preparing to face Michigan for a chance at a second title in three years.

We saw Saturday in a satisfying blowout against Kansas why this ‘Nova offense is one of the best not just this season, but in college basketball history. It things are clicking, this game could end quickly. But the Wildcats aren’t infallible, and Michigan has certainly felt like a team of destiny despite not always playing phenomenal basketball this tournament. Surely no one has forgotten the buzzer beater to beat No. 6 Houston, who also happens to be the highest-seeded team the Wolverines have faced to this point.

I can’t support them, because Big Ten, but Michigan does bring some compelling storylines. John Beilein has built quite an impressive resume in 16 seasons at Ann Arbor, Moe Wagner is basically the German version of Dean Wade, and did you know Jordan Poole, who made that ridiculous 3 against Houston, played prep ball in the same city (Milwaukee) as Notre Dame’s new legend, Arike Ogunbowale?

Perhaps another hero will rise up tonight as another college basketball season draws to a close. Either way, be sure to stay tuned afterwards, because there’s no way CBS can leave Kansas State out of One Shining Moment this time.

Tipoff is at 6:20 p.m. and the announcing teams are as follows:

TBS (national broadcast): Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery and Tracy Wolfson.

TNT (Michigan TeamCast): Matt Park, Jay Feely, Dr. Sanjay Gupta

TruTV (Villanova TeamCast): Scott Graham, Randy Foye, Kacie McDonnell

Some interesting names there, especially for Michigan, which got me thinking about who would have been on a Kansas State TeamCast. After some deliberation, my choices would be Brent Stover (play-by-play), Mitch Richmond (analyst) and Eric Stonestreet (reporter).