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More People Picked Villanova to Lose in 1st Round Than Win Title

Tom Bogert, CBS Local Sports

A few long weekends ago, Villanova took the floor in the Round of 64 for the NCAA Tournament against 15th seed UNC Asheville. Not many believed that in a few long weekends later, Villanova would be beating North Carolina in the finals to win the tournament.

It was so far-fetched to most that UNC Asheville was picked by more people on ESPN's bracket contest to beat Villanova in the first round than for the Wildcats to go on and win the tournament.

UNC Asheville were a typical 15 seed. They entered the tournament through automatic qualification after winning their postseason tournament in the Big South, entering the tournament with a record of 22-11. Villanova, as they did to most other teams they played in the tournament, absolutely smashed poor Asheville 86-56.

Reminder: to most, Asheville winning that game was more likely than Villanova to go all the way. It was a fair sentiment as well, with all of the postseason capitulations of years past for the Wildcats.

This season, Head Coach Jay Wright guided the team to the title where they won in emphatic fashion, winning on the first buzzer beater since NC State's 1983 title win.

Just like NC State's title, Villanova's will live on for years to come.

As a fan of repetitive disappointment and frustration, Tom holds Liverpool FC, the New York Knicks and New York Red Bulls near and dear to his heart with occasional joy coming from the New York Giants and New York Yankees.

Questions or comments? Feel free to follow Tom on Twitter or send him an email.  

Villanova University has announced plans for a celebratory parade on Friday, April 8, in Philadelphia. Stay with CBS3 and CBSPhilly.com for live coverage of the parade.

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