Rollie Massimino's eighth-seeded Villanova shocked the defending champions Georgetown 66-64 to capture the school's first NCAA crown with Ed Pickney leading the way. By becoming the lowest seed to win the title, Villanova ruined the Hoyas' chances of becoming the first team since the great UCLA to repeat as NCAA champions.
Field Expanded To 64 Teams
The NCAA once again expanded its field, moving to 64 teams meaning there would be no first round byes as in previous years. The field was 32 teams from 1975-1978, 40 teams in 1970, 48 teams from 1980-1982, 52 teams in 1983 and 53 teams in 1984. And the Mideast regional was renamed Southeast. The tournament ran from March 7 to April 1, 1985 with the Final Four being played in the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
Villanova No. 8 Seed In Southeast
Villanova was seeded eighth in the Southeast and barely beat Dayton in the first round, 51-49. Next up for Massimino's Wildcats was No. 1 seed - and No. 2 nationally - Michigan, which got knocked off 59-55. The Wildcats then held off Maryland, 46-43 in the Sweet 16. In the Eight Eight, Villanova shot 76 percent in the second half in beating second-seeded and No. 7 ranked North Carolina 56-44 to reach the Final Four.
Big East Feast At Final Four
Villanova was just one part of a Big East feast at the Final Four in Lexington, where Georgetown and St. John's also represented the conference while Memphis State of the Metro Conference was wrecking the party. But Villanova made sure it would an all-Big East final by knocking off Memphis State 52-45. And Georgetown streaked past St. John's 77-59 to reach the final.
Villanova Pulls Off Shocker
Pundits said the Wildcats would need to play a perfect game to beat the defending champion Georgetown in the final. Massimino's men bettered their showing against North Carolina by shooting nearly 79 percent from the field (22 of 28) for the game against a Hoya team which led the nation in field goal defense with 39.9 percent. The Hoyas actually made more field goals (29 of 53) than Villanova took. But the underdogs made 22 of 27 free throws while Georgetown hit just 6 of 8. Ed Pickney was the hero for Villanova with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists while helping the Wildcats hold Ewing to 14 points and six rebounds. Villanova remains the lowest seeded team - No. 8 - to take the NCAA crown.
Memphis State Appearance Vacated
Memphis State was ruled to have used ineligible players and had its appearance deleted in the record book.
