Villanova scorches Oklahoma in record-breaking Final Four win

Buddy Hield's first Final Four shot read as a statement of intent: opening possession, an isolation out top, a trademark step-back, a helpless defender, a deep bucket buried. In the first seconds of Saturday's Final Four, Hield was already 1-for-1 with three points. Another classic shooting performance from one of the greatest shotmakers in college hoops history -- having one of the most productive NCAA tournaments ever -- appeared to be well underway.

It was like that -- with a twist.

Holding what was already a 15-point lead after the second half's under-12-minute media timeout, Villanova coach Jay Wright drew up a play that would cement the Wildcats' spot in the national championship game. Oklahoma was applying full-court pressure in an attempt to get back in the game, but the Sooners forgot to account for Villanova freshman guard Mikal Bridges. Bridges slipped behind the defense, whereKris Jenkins hit him with a three-quarter-court baseball pass. Bridges threw down a vicious slam and was fouled by Sooners big man Jamuni McNeace. Bridges made the free throw to put the Wildcats up by 18, a lead that was never threatened.

That opening-minute omen didn't presage another brilliant Hield performance. In retrospect, it was merely a sign that shooting in the notoriously tricky NRG Stadium confines wasn't going to be quite as daunting as advertised.

The proof itself would come not from Oklahoma, but from Villanova en route to a 95-51 win -- the largest margin in national semifinal history.

The Wildcats shot 66.7 percent in the first half Saturday. They were 6-of-11 from 3. They scored 1.45 points per possession against one of the best defensive teams in the country. They finished the first 20 minutes with more points than Butler scored in itsentire 2011 national-title game performance -- when NRG Stadium officially became the (very large) place where shooting goes to die.

Villanova had no such issues. For a few minutes early in the second half, the Wildcats looked set to cool off ... only to rip off a somehow-even-more-efficient 53 points in 35 possessions -- one bucket after the other, over and over and over and over.

The omen had worked its twisted dark magic throughout. Early in the second half, Oklahoma tried six shots, and five offensive rebounds, on one possession -- none of them fell.

Six minutes later, Wildcats guard Josh Hart would see his drive closed off at the elbow. He picked up his dribble, pivoted to find a teammate, found every avenue closed off. Oklahoma fans began to scream, hoping to will a turnover. Hart needed to do something, anything. So he wheeled to his left and tossed up a fadeaway prayer.

All net. It was like that.

Later, with three minutes to play, both coaches would empty their benches. NRG Stadium was still murmuring, but there was no anticipation in the air. Only shock.

Hield walked off the court shortly after. He was 1 of 8 from 3.