Villanova Needs 15-0 Run to Avoid NCAA Tournament Upset

The Villanova Wildcats (27-7) are seeded third in the Eastern Regional, and they were facing the #14 American Eagles (24-8)

The Eagles were sharp from 3-point range early and that's how they managed to hold off Villanova for much of the game. But they could only hold them off for 30 minutes of the 40 minute game.

Three pointers are the edge that lesser teams can use in the NCAA tourney if they are are hot, but the Eagles went cold and Villanova, using its advantage inside and the free-throw line, went on a 15-0 run which resulted in a tough 80-67 win.

The free throw line was evidence of Villanova's inside presence and American's outside one: the Eagles only went to the free-throw line five times, while Villanova made 26 of 29 attempts.

The Wildcats will play the UCLA-Virginia Commonwealth winner on Saturday.