Iowa faces Villanova for Atlantis title

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas - No. 23 Iowa (7-0) will face Villanova for the Battle 4 Atlantis title after the Wildcats shocked No. 2 Kansas 63-59 late Friday night.

Villanova (6-0) led most of the second half until Kansas (5-1) took a one-point lead with Frank Mason's three-point play with 35 seconds left. Villanova nearly lost the ball when guard Darrun Hilliard was tied up with Kansas' Andrew Wiggins with 12.4 seconds left. But the Wildcats kept the ball because of alternate possession.

The Wildcats ran a play for Ryan Arcidiacono, who was open in the corner. Arcidiacono drilled a 3-pointer with 10.1 seconds left to put Villanova back in the lead. Mason missed a 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left, Villanova's James Bell was fouled and sank two free throws for the win.

"Honestly, I hadn't made a shot all night," Arcidiacono said. "I got a couple of great screens and a great pass. As soon as I let it go, it felt good. That was the first one all night that felt good. As soon as I made it, I converted to get back and was just trying to match up."

That was Arcidiacono's only field goal of the night in six attempts.

Villanova outrebounded Kansas 43-34 and forced 16 turnovers. Kansas was inefficient on offense with only nine assists and hit just 2 of 11 3-point attempts.

Hilliard led the Wildcats with 14 points. He also grabbed six rebounds and had three assists and three steals.

Villanova is an aggressive, dogged defensive team, especially at guard. Iowa has a size advantage against the Wildcats, but Villanova's tenacity likely will cause some problems.

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Past meetings

Iowa and Villanova last met at the 2006 Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. Villanova crushed the Hawkeyes 89-60. Iowa blasted Villanova 97-74 back at the 1987 Maui Invitational.

The most important game between the programs was in March 25, 1983 when Villanova edged Iowa 55-54 in the Sweet 16. It was the final game for Iowa Coach Lute Olson, who took over at Arizona. Greg Stokes, father of current Iowa player Darius Stokes, scored 22 points, and current Iowa radio analyst Bobby Hansen scored 21 in the heartbreaking loss.

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery guided Siena to the 2008 NCAA tournament where his squad ran into Villanova but lost 84-72 in the second round.

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Close ties

Iowa assistant coach Andrew Francis formerly served as administrative assistant and video coordinator under Villanova Coach Jay Wright beforing joining McCaffery's Siena staff in 2007. Francis was Iowa's scout for the game.