Route Villanova Iowa to advance to the Round of 16

From Vilanova came to Brooklyn last week, the Wildcats have been overshadowed by questions about his recent inability to advance beyond the round of 32 in the men's basketball tournament NCAA.

The albatross became tiresome. In the past four days, players open sessions media trying to give polite answers, recognizing their recent setbacks. But as the hours passed and different variations of the same questions were repeated hung their heads, they smile disappeared and complained through answers about how they did not want to be defined as underperforming.

more powerful rejoinder to the second-seeded Wildcats, Sunday afternoon 'came with a dominant 87-68 victory over seventh-seeded Iowa in a game of the Southern Region of Barclays Center. Josh Hart led the way with a game-high 19 points.

"It's definitely a sigh of relief," said Ryan Arcidiacono high. "I think the most important thing is that I am honestly just do answer questions about getting beyond the second weekend."

Villanova was more aggressive from the start, diving for loose and obstruction of balls passing lanes, eventually with a lead of 12-0 turnovers in the first half. The Wildcats executed with such aplomb that after the game Villanova coach Jay Wright apologized to his friend Fran McCaffery, coach of Iowa, who hails from Philadelphia.

"We are delighted that we went out and played a first half like that," said Wright. "When I shook hands with Fran, I just said, 'Hey, I'm sorry." We have not played a first half that way in a long time. "

After the teams tied, 13-13, outscored the Wildcats Iowa, 41-16, before halftime for a 54-29 advantage, which also set a record for the program Villanova points amid a tournament game NCAA.

Over the long term, Villanova received contributions from almost every player on the floor. Jalen Brunson and Phil cabin 3 hits several points. On defense, Iowa stood through numerous possessions, with players clumsy steps routine.

The 7-foot center Adam Woodbury-1, which had put back the winning shot in overtime 72-70 victory over Iowa temple in the first round on Friday, was held scoreless.

The only flash of energy came from Nicholas Baer a redshirt freshman walk-on year, who scored 8 points in the first half.

"They are a difficult group to tear close because they will walk around you," McCaffery said. "So we closed a little short, and they were making threes. We had a couple of little ball losses carried trays features that transition easy, and that was a big part of it too."

During the first 20 minutes, Villanova shot 7 of 12 in 3 points and more than 60 percent mainly from the field. The Wildcats also remained disciplined in defense - I had six steals and Iowa did not make a free throw in the first half, his only two attempts came with 4.7 seconds left before halftime.

Kris Jenkins led Villanova with 12 points at halftime. Hart and Brunson added 10 each.

"I did not come out with the defensive intensity that we had against a team like that," said Iowa guard Mike Gesell.

Villanova's lead grew to 34 points early in the second half when a tray Hart gave the Wildcats a lead of 65-31. it became clear at that time that questions about another collapse Villanova would cease.

Jarrod Uthoff paced the Hawkeyes with 16 points, besides making his first free throw with 8 minutes 45 seconds remaining. Baer added 15 for Iowa.

Villanova will play No. 3-seeded Miami in the round of 16 on Thursday in Louisville, Ky.

"We wanted it badly for this senior class," said Wright. "I really wanted to history as the winningest class in the history of Villanova but never got beyond the first weekend."

Before Sunday's win, the Wildcats had not advanced to the second week of the tournament in their last five games. In three of those occasions were a seed number 1 or 2.

As top seed in the Eastern Region last year, Villanova was surprised in his second game against No. 8-seeded North Carolina State, 71-68. That discomfort persisted throughout the summer to Wright and his team.

"It's like you have a cold and everyone keeps asking," How's your cold? How's your cold? How are you?' "Wright said." After a while, you're like, 'I'm fine', you know. You know you have to answer the question ".

Wright left most of their starters late in the game.

When Arcidiacono finally left the field with less than a minute to go, he hugged Wright.

A few moments later, when the final buzzer sounded, the speaker public address congratulated Villanova to reach the round of 16. Arcidiacono smiled, standing fans Villanova and players hold their fists in the air, looking somewhat relieved that they had he recovered from an unwanted label, flatly product.

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