For the first time in 30 years, the Villanova Wildcats hoist the NCAA National Championship trophy after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels, 77-74. Kris Jenkins played hero for the Wildcats, making the 3 at the buzzer that would end their drought. Photos by Andre Brooks

Nets cut, hats crowned, trophy awarded and 30 years of anguish had been lifted off Villanova’s shoulders in the form of a buzzer beater. An instant classic. After two straight blowouts in the Final Four, the highly-anticipated National Championship matchup between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Villanova Wildcats …

For almost a quarter of the game, fans were getting exactly what they wanted out of the first Final Four matchup of the night between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Villanova Wildcats. It was a high-scoring, back-and-forth game with the Wildcats up 19-17 with 11:11 left in the first. Oklahoma’s …