Virginia defeats Texas Tech in overtime to win its first NCAA men's basketball championship
CLOSE In a remarkable season of redemption, the Virginia Cavaliers won their first men's basketball championship in school history, defeating Texas Tech 85-77. USA TODAY SportsA year after becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 in the NCAA Tournament, Virginia has become a national champion for the first time in school history.
The matchup of college basketball’s best defensive teams had been panned by some leading into Monday night. But after a very slow start, it turned into a gem, with Virginia and Texas Tech trading punches – and then in the final minutes of regulation and right into overtime, giant haymakers. Through it all, Virginia’s players and coaches remained publicly consistent, appearing to embrace lessons learned in the disappointment. They said they’d become better basketball players and persons because of it.
Jarrett Culver’s layup on a spinning drive with 35.1 seconds left in regulation gave Texas Tech a 66-65 lead, and Norense Odiase, a 62-percent free-throw shooter, hit two free throws with 22.5 seconds left. But Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter tied it with a 3-pointer from the corner with 12.9 seconds left.
That win came after trailing by four points with 17 seconds left, and only after officials missed a double-dribble by Ty Jerome as he charged upcourt in the final seconds.The Cavaliers’ victory denied Texas Tech its first national championship as the Red Raiders’ improbable journey fell just short. After losing five of their top six scorers from a team that reached the Elite Eight a year ago, they were picked to finish seventh in the Big 12. Instead, they won the league – and then won it all.
Perhaps as important: Beard taught the Red Raiders to treat every possession as though it was their last. He called it “March basketball,” and it worked very well in April, too.Virginia led 32-29 at halftime. After a slow start by both teams, Virginia surged to a 17-7 lead midway through the first half before Texas Tech, which had missed its first eight shots, went on an 18-4 run. The Red Raiders hit three consecutive 3-pointers – reserve guard Brandone Francis hit two – to get back in it.
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