Funkerstation » e committed to North Carolina on Thur

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Western Michigan coach Steve Hawkins watched his team slice a double-digit lead to three points against defending national champion Villanova. Then the third-ranked Wildcats showed once more theyre built to handle tough games.They did what they do, Hawkins said.Villanova used a 13-4 run down the stretch for a 76-65 win over the Broncos (1-2) on Thursday to start the Charleston Classic. Western Michigan had cut a 14-point second-half lead to 59-56 to draw within striking distances of the Wildcats.Thats when Eric Paschall, Kris Jenkins and Josh Hart all hit 3-pointers to keep Villanova undefeated and off to its fourth straight 3-0 start.Paschall finished with 17 points, and Jalen Brunson and Hart had 14 each. Jenkins, whos shot at the end gave the Wildcats their national title last April, had 11.It was a good, tough game, Wildcats coach Jay Wright said. It wasnt pretty, though and weve still got to get a lot better.Villanova improved to 12-0 in early season tournaments over the years. The Wildcats are chasing their third consecutive crown after winning the Legends Classic in 2014 and NIT season tipoff last year.Jalen Brunson said the Wildcats, who toughed out a 79-76 win at No. 15 Purdue on Monday night, didnt panic at Western Michigans charge. Weve got veterans and its a situation weve seen before, he said.The Wildcats will face Wake Forest, a 103-81 winner over UTEP, on Friday for a spot in Sundays championship.The Broncos (1-2) fell to 0-4 at the eight-team Charleston tournament. They lost all three games when they last visited in the 2008-09 season. Thomas Wilder led Western Michigan with 19 points.BIG PICTUREWestern Michigan lost its second straight after falling to Oakland on Monday. The Broncos forced too many long shots, finishing 3 of 15 from behind the arc. They were much more effective driving deep into Villanovas defense. Wilders five baskets came from around the rim.Villanova came off a 79-76 win at No. 15 Purdue, and its sluggish performance made this much closer than it should have been. Jenkins picked up two early fouls and played only 21 minutes in his return to South Carolina, having spent part of his childhood in Columbia.DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENTWright said his team must pick up its defensive pressure if it hopes to succeed this year. The Wildcats lost two big defenders in forward Daniel Ochefu and guard Ryan Arcidiacono. Wright said Arcidiacono called out defensive changes, a job thats fallen to Brunson this season. We have the ability, Brunson said. We just have to get better.WESTERN SWAGHawkins said his team will consider its strong showing against Villanova whenever theyre facing adversity this season. He said the players came here to win, but also understand they made improvements that will help them later. Its something well have in our holster, he said.STANDING STRONGPaschall, Villanovas 6-foot-7 sophomore, is guarding taller players this season because of the Wildcats lack of size in their rotation. Of the eight players with 15 or more minutes, only 6-9 senior Darryl Reynolds was taller than Paschall. The sophomore says it is a difficult challenge that hes becoming more accustomed to each time out. Ive just got to keep my mind clear and concentrate on what I have to do, he said.UP NEXTWestern Michigan: Plays UTEP on Friday.Villanova: Plays Wake Forest on Friday.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25Austin Watson Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Filip Forsberg Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. http://www.authenticpredatorspro.com/Viktor-arvidsson-predators-jersey/ .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Kyle Turris Predators Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Colton Sissons Jersey . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat.Five-star junior point guard Coby White committed to North Carolina on Thursday, three days after the Tar Heels extended a scholarship offer to him.White, a 6-foot-3 prospect from Greenfield High School in North Carolina, is ranked No. 21 in the ESPN 60 for the 2018 class. He is also the No. 5 point guard in the class.Tar Heels coach Roy Williams watched White in April, and then the North Carolina staff tracked him throughout July. He took an unofficial visit to Chapel Hill in June.Virginiia, Wake Forest, Clemson and others had also offered scholarships to White.dddddddddddd.Although its early for the 2018 class, North Carolina has a leg up for the No. 1 recruiting class. The Tar Heels have two top-30 commitments, with White joining four-star guard Rechon Black (No. 26).North Carolina has two of the four players in the ESPN 60 who are committed. ' ' '