By Lang Whitaker, SI.com

One Shining Moment

Villanova point guard Mike Nardi only had 2 assists, but his 3 turnovers were the fewest among 'Nova's three starting guards. Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Since the entire first half probably shouldn't count, so dominant was Villanova, let's go with this: With a little over 12 minutes to go in the second half, New Mexico flipped an alley-oop to small forward Alfred Neale, who appeared to have a clear path to the hoop. As ball and player readied to meet at the rim, Villanova center Will Sheridan came soaring in and batted the ball to the floor with both hands. Nova picked the ball off the ground and converted an easy lay-in by Kyle Lowry on the other end. The play was emblematic of Nova's airtight defense throughout the first 28 minutes of the game -- they finished with 12 steals. Though they fell apart down the stretch, a late Lobos run cutting Nova's lead to just 5 with 29.2 to play, Nova's incredible 34-11 halftime lead was enough of a buffer to leave them with a 55-47 win. Nova forced the tempo of the game throughout because "we didn't want to have to guard New Mexico's halfcourt offense and all their isolations," said coach Jay Wright. "They have as fine a halfcourt offense as I've ever seen."

Player Who Impressed Me

Villanova point guard Mike Nardi is listed at 6-1, but his shaved head and slim build -- his thighs appear constantly endangered of being swallowed whole by his supersized shorts -- make him seem even smaller. A raucous "NARDI" tattoo on his right shoulder exclaims his name to the world, but even the NCAA wasn't quite sure who he was coming into the game (they listed him as "Nardie" on the official pregame line-up sheet). Still, his steady court presence was invaluable to Villanova on Friday -- triggering inbounds passes, running out to defend jump shooters, creating space in the offensive sets and protecting the rock throughout the game's waning moments. He only had 2 assists, but his 3 turnovers were the fewest among Villanova's three starting guards.

Courtside Confidential

For all the hubbub about Danny Granger, New Mexico's multi-tasking power forward, he couldn't click with his teammates in the first half and went three and four offensive possessions at a time without getting a touch. In the second half, Granger was front-and-center and the Lobos held Nova to 13-percent shooting from the field, outscoring Nova 36-21 in the half. "We just executed better in the second," said Granger. "In the first half we had a lot of open looks, but they just kept rimming out." Granger finished with 15 points and 12 boards, playing all 40 minutes. ... When Allan Ray missed a free throw with 26.1 left that would have made it a six-point lead, a nervous hush fell over the Nova bench. Coach Wright turned and started clapping to his guys, saying, "We'll win it on a defense, get a few stops, don't worry about it." The Wildcats came down and got a stop. ... How ugly was New Mexico's first half? Besides Granger, the only other Lobo with a field goal was center David Chiotti. And he had one at the half.

Championship Formula

Against Florida on Sunday, Villanova's three-guard starting lineup will be at a size disadvantage, especially with the Gators starting 6-8 Corey Brewer against Villanova's 6-3 Randy Foye. With so much of their game relying on the perimeter, however, Nova should be quicker and faster than the Gators and able to get open three-point looks. Most importantly, Nova needs to get Ray on track early. Their best player had plenty of quality shot attempts against New Mexico, both off screens and through one-on-one moves, but he never seemed to get into a rhythm. After missing four straight open jumpers, he was treated to a long stint on the pine and finished with as many point (4) as turnovers (4). "I sat him for a while, but I told him, 'I want you taking those shots,'" Wright said. He also wants him making them. 'Nova wasn't brilliant on offense, but it was its defense that beat New Mexico. They'll need more of the same against the Gators.