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Villanova takes on Michigan for Legends Classic crown

Former University of Missouri head basketball coach Norm Stewart (R) shakes hands with Michigan head basketball coach John Beilein as Kansas State head basketball coach Bruce Weber (R) looks on after a Coaches vs Cancer ceremonial first pitch before the New York Mets-St. Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on September 4, 2012. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
Former University of Missouri head basketball coach Norm Stewart (R) shakes hands with Michigan head basketball coach John Beilein as Kansas State head basketball coach Bruce Weber (R) looks on after a Coaches vs Cancer ceremonial first pitch before the New York Mets-St. Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on September 4, 2012. UPI/Bill Greenblatt | License Photo

In a matchup of Top-25 teams, the 12th- ranked Villanova Wildcats will contend with the 19th-ranked Michigan Wolverines in the title game of the Progressive Legends Classic at the Barclays Center.

Villanova faced another ranked foe in the semifinals, but No. 14 VCU did not present much of a challenge for the Wildcats, who rolled to a 77-53 victory. The win was the fourth in as many games for Villanova, which will be back in the Philadelphia area for a contest with Delaware next.

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Michigan fended off a tough challenge from Oregon to advance to Tuesday's title tilt. The Wolverines pulled out a 70-63 win over the upstart Ducks, their fourth triumph in as many games this season. They will return home to host seven of their next eight games, beginning against Nicholls.

This is the first meeting between these two teams since 1985 when the Wildcats survived with a 59-55 victory over No. 1 seed Michigan as part of its stunning National Championship run. Villanova has won two of three meetings overall.

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Villanova did not seem remotely phased by VCU's patented defensive scheme, as it only turned the ball over nine times while shooting an even 50 percent from the floor. The Wildcats did a good job on the interior, earning a 39-32 advantage on the boards and a 42-30 edge in points in the paint. They also outscored the Rams, 21-6, from beyond the arc. JayVaughn Pinkston finished with 15 points and seven rebounds in the winning effort.

The Wildcats have been rather dominant during their 4-0 start. They are netting 76.8 points per game, which is nearly 20 points more than they are allowing. In addition, they have netted 45 percent of their field goals tries, although their 3-point shooting still leaves something to be desired (.280). Dylan Ennis (12.5 ppg) is at the top of the team in scoring, but obviously Pinkston (10.3 ppg, 6 rpg) is capable of carrying the offensive load. Ryan Arcidiacono (9.8 ppg, 5 apg) leads the team at the point, while Darrun Hilliard (11 ppg) and Kris Jenkins (10.5 ppg) provide additional scoring punch.

Michigan held off Oregon by shooting an even 50 percent from the floor in the first half and then, when it only made 40 percent in the second, the Wolverines went to the foul line and made 19-of-24 attempts. They also enjoyed a 14-8 scoring edge off turnovers, although they were outdone on the glass (41-29) and in points in the paint (34-26).

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Zak Irvin finished with a team-high 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while Caris LeVert got most of his 18 points at the free-throw line, going 11-of-13 as opposed to his 3-of-13 effort from the field overall.

Irvin (20.2 ppg) and LeVert (16.2 ppg, 7 rpg, 5.2 apg) will continue to be the go-to scorers for the Wolverines. Irvin is shooting 53.8 percent from the floor, while LeVert has made up for his own cold shooting (.388), by leading the way in rebounds, assists and steals. Derrick Walton Jr. (14.8 ppg) is the third member of a rather talented backcourt.

[SportsNetwork.com]

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