The Villanova Wildcats have had a very nice run to the NCAA Final Four. They eliminated number two seed Duke in the Sweet 16 by 23 points as a 2.5-point underdog and then a few days later knocked off the East’s top seed Pittsburgh on a last second coast–to-coast layup by 6’2” junior guard Scottie Reynolds. They have earned their first trip to the Final Four since their miracle run in 1985 when they won the National Championship.

In the Duke game, they held a very good shooting team to just 26.7 % from the field and just 18.5% from beyond the arc. Then, in the Pitt game, they outrebounded one of the best rebounding teams in the country 33-28. On the year, they cause fits for opposing teams as they allow just over 40% from the floor. It will be tough to hold a North Carolina team to that kind of percentage when they are shooting over 48 % on the year. The Wildcats are led by 6’8” senior Dante Cunningham who leads the team with 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game as well as Reynolds 15.2 points and nearly 4 assists a game.

North Carolina (32-4) has won every game in the tournament by double digits and have covered in all four games. The Tar Heels have shot over 50% in the last three tournament games. It’s no coincidence that Ty Lawson came back three games ago from a toe injury and has averaged over 20 points since. Along with Lawson; Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington are all potential NBA prospects that look to be drafted in this upcoming draft. All four guys returned for another season after getting embarrassed in last year’s semifinal against Kansas in which they fell behind as much as 28 points before coming back to fall short.

North Carolina is a 7 1/2-point favorite in part because of the high profile guys on the team and the way they have been laying teams out. Villanova (30-7) may not have the NBA prospects, but they have guys that dig it out with one another and get the job done.

Get all of Murray Hill Mike's GUARANTEED WINNERS at Vegas Experts. Remember, at VE, you pay only after you win!