How Villanova's Sharp Shooting Delivered a National Title

— -- All Villanova had to do to win its first title since 1985 was beat two No. 1 seeds (one of which had won their previous six tourney matchups against the Wildcats -- and, uh, tied the game with a long 3-pointer with 4 seconds left in regulation) and one of the country's strongest No. 2 seeds. Oh, and then hit a game-winning 3 at the buzzer of the national title game, yet another big shot from a team that averaged 64.9 percent shooting in its two games in Houston.

The Wildcats also did it with punishing defense -- through their first five games, they forced turnovers on 22 percent of opponents' possessions in the tournament, third-best in the field, and they were the first team in the tourney to outscore North Carolina in the paint -- and some serious star power that shone brightest in April. We break down the numbers behind the Wildcats' incredible win.

Nova's shooting couldn't be beat

Nova shot well all season -- its 48.1 percent rate was 19th-best in the country -- but the Wildcats took it to a whole new level in the tournament. At 58.2 percent, Villanova had the best FG percentage in an NCAA Tournament in 50 years, and, of course, that ridiculous 71.4 percent showing in the semifinal against Oklahoma won't soon be forgotten. The Cats continued the sharp shooting in the final, and it was once again incredibly balanced: five players had at least nine points, and their leading scorer, Phil Booth, came off the bench.

TOURNAMENT FG PERCENTAGE*