Last night, we were reminded of the true magic of sports. Villanova’s buzzer-beating win to give the school its first national title victory since Ronald Reagan was in office sparked a powerful cultural undercurrent that transcended fandom, loyalty, and the sport itself. My mother, who thinks that Michael Jordan is still playing ball, texted me at midnight last night, “Whoa!!!” And although I don’t want to know what she was doing up that late (Dad, you dog you), I was reminded just how omnipotent sports can be.
All you needed to appreciate the spectacle that took place last night was a TV and a pulse. You didn’t need to have a dog in the fight or even know how many points a three-pointer counts for to be moved by that outcome. In a world that often divides us by begging us to pick a side, we were all able to share in the joy of being a Villanova fan. Except UNC fans, who I’d guess are all currently gathering in a giant field right now preparing to drink a baby blue Kool-Aid.
For the rest of us, let’s enjoy the perfect chaos from Villanova’s home arena, The Pavilion.
The final seconds… No one in The Pavillion tonight will forget this moment. @NovaMBB pic.twitter.com/smFPiGPyA0
— Kaylee Hartung (@KayleeHartung) April 5, 2016
When #Villanova wins the #NationalChampionship at the buzzer. Nova watch party in the Pavilion pic.twitter.com/EAXMUIhirj
— patrick s (@ttilnexttttime) April 5, 2016
When Starbucks announces they’ll offer Pumpkin Spiced Lattes year round…
Reaction of #Villanova students as Jenkins' buckets falls, giving Nova #NationalChampionship. pic.twitter.com/1XuruYiy4k
— John Kopp (@WriterJohnKopp) April 5, 2016
The scene at a bar right outside the Nova campus.
REACTION: What the game-winning shot looked like from a near-campus bar.
Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/uB1G5GYHKO
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 5, 2016
This dude is probably the CEO of a corporation. Now he is a child on Christmas morning after getting a puppy.
https://twitter.com/jaltersports/status/717194297699905536
To the victor goes the spoils.
https://twitter.com/SupDogsUNC/status/717199555566182400
Goddamn. I’ve seen funerals for babies less depressing than that. Thoughts and prayers with Tar Heel fans, don’t drink the Kool Aid. You’ll probably be back next year.
Villanova students won a National Championship last night and probably had the most sex on any campus in America. The rich get richer.
P.S. We may need to update this list of best tournament buzzer beaters. Probably.