Final Score: Villanova 85, Colorado 64
 
Overview
 
Forty years to the day that Villanova sprung the upset by which all such efforts are measured – a 66-64 victory over top seed Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA Final – the Wildcats produced a different kind of masterpiece. In this one, the 'Cats were dominant in a 21-point triumph over the Buffaloes of the Big 12.
 
A pair of milestones were passed on this day at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Forward Eric Dixon moved past Kerry Kittles to become the program's all-time points leader, notching 22 points to go with four steals and three rebounds in 30:02. Interim Head Coach Mike Nardi notched his first win as a head coach.
 
"Colorado battled to the end," said Nardi. "I have a lot of respect for Coach (Tad) Boyle and for what he has done there.
 
"I thought these two guys (Dixon and Wooga Poplar) did a great job setting the tone. As a team collectively I thought we played very well off of each other."
 
Nardi, a Villanova guard from 2003-07 who has been on the coaching staff since 2015, reflected on the moment after being drenched by a spray shower by a happy team in the locker room.
 
"This is a very special place that means a lot to a lot of people," said Nardi. "I've grown up here as a student, as a man and as a player. Having the opportunity to coach guys like these who understand that means a lot to (me). I know it means a lot to the former players and coaches. For me, it's just an opportunity to give back."
 
Strong Start
 
Villanova connected on 7-of-10 field goal attempts over the game's first 5:26 to build a 15-8 lead over the Buffaloes at the first official timeout of the night. Eric Dixon supplied five of those points.
 
Three consecutive 3-point field goals – one each by Jhamir Brickus, Tyler Perkins and Dixon – fueled a 9-0 spurt that helped Villanova extend its advantage to 27-14 midway through the period. Colorado answered with an 8-3 burst to shave the margin to 29-22.
 
But Poplar and the 'Cats went to work and Villanova stretched its lead to 42-26. At halftime, the Villanova lead was 45-30.
 
The Wildcats limited Colorado to 12-of-32 shooting from the floor in the first 20 minutes (.375) and forced eight turnovers, leading to an 11-0 edge in points off of turnovers. Poplar led VU with 16 points while Dixon added 13 points.
 
Milestone Moment
 
Dixon tied the program's all-time scoring record with a 3-pointer midway through the first half. He passed it later in the half on a two-pointer and for good measure added an old school 3-point play to account for those 13 points.
 
Named a third team All-American by the Associated Press and United States Basketball Writers last month, the Willow Grove, Pa., native has led the nation in scoring since January.
 
"To be mentioned in the same breath with the names on that list is special," Dixon stated. "To now be in this position is even more special."
 
Added Nardi: "There are a lot of people along the way who have helped Eric. But he's a guy that puts in the work. He comes in every day and gets extra shots up. He's a great teammate and is great to the Villanova community. It's very special just seeing his progression and development. Coming in and redshirting, just believing in the process. The coaching staff putting in the time with Eric and then just seeing him get better and better is so rewarding."
 
Dixon was asked if he knew that he had broken the record when it happened.
 
"I heard the crowd kind of let out a louder roar," he said. "I thought that might have been it."
 
Act Two
 
The Wildcats weren't as efficient at the offensive end over the first 8:07 of the second half, connecting on 3-of-9 field goal attempts (.333). But their defense picked up the slack, holding Colorado to 3-of-14 shooting at the other end of the court to hold a 55-38 advantage.
 
A Longino two-pointer seemed to kick the Nova offense back into a groove. It was part of what became a 16-2 surge that was highlighted by triples from Perkins and Poplar. When Colorado called a timeout, the Villanova lead had ballooned to 68-40 with 8:52 to play in the second half.
 
The Wildcats cruised to the finish line, advancing to a Thursday night quarterfinal against the winner of the night's second game, USC vs. Tulane.