National Championship Preview: Villanova-North Carolina

This has all the makings of a great National Championship game. For the past few years, they've found a way to deliver for the grand finale. These two teams were the best for the last three weeks so I'm glad it's Villanova and North Carolina. 

1. How does Villanova handle Carolina's size: That's the biggest thing to watch in this game. Daniel Ochefu is only one man. He looked a little gimpy on Saturday night. If he draws early fouls, Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks are going to eat in the post. If Ochefu can hold us his own and provide some scoring, Nova is going to be right in this thing. 

2. Both teams can hurt you in many ways - In the Sweet 16, Kris Jenkins won the Cats that game. In the Final Four, Josh Hart had much to do with it. For Carolina, Marcus Paige had his nights especially against Indiana, and Johnson led the way in others along with both teams having very reliable players. What could make this matchup special is neither team really has inconsistency about them. Both go out there and do the damn thing. 

3. Nova isn't afraid - In my opinion, the body of work for Villanova is far stronger than North Carolina. They beat a good three-seed Miami team then top seeded Kansas and second seeded Oklahoma with the best player in college basketball. North Carolina's highest seed win was a four versus Indiana. Therefore the Carolina numbers might be more inflated than what we are seeing with Villanova. Both teams shouldn't come out tight in this one. The stage is big enough for the both teams. 

4. Who could be this year's Grayson - I realize that hurts Carolina fans to put Grayson Allen in the same sentence with the Heels, but look, he ended up being the difference for Duke last year with nine second half points.  Justin Jackson might be that player for Carolina. He's a contributor, but we never really see the big games from him. Mikal Bridges has been great down the stretch for Nova, look for him to continue it. 

5. Who wins?  - I'm taking Nova. I don't think a ton will be there, but I see them winning by six points. It's going to close, but Nova is the more seasoned team ripe for a National Championship.

Charlie.