The NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship is set to take place tonight as Villanova University and the University of North Carolina face off in the 77th championship game.

Villanova (34-5) destroyed the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday with a score of 96-51, giving the Wildcats their first appearance in the title game since 1985 when they beat Georgetown University, who was led by future NBA Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing. Villanova is 1-1 all-time in championship games.

The Tar Heels (33-6, 14-4 ACC), who are a No. 1 seed from the East, ended the Cinderella run of Syracuse University on Saturday with an 83-66 victory. North Carolina is a five-time national champion, including two under head coach Roy Williams. Their last title came in 2009 and they are 5-4 all-time in national title games.

I expect the game to be a close one, especially since Villanova possesses the defensive tenacity to somewhat neutralize North Carolina’s strong offensive attack; however, I think North Carolina will hold on and beat the Wildcats to win its sixth national title with a 75-67 victory.

Senior guard Marcus Paige and senior forward Brice Johnson will probably be too much for Villanova to handle. Both players have NBA potential and are huge difference makers for the Tar Heels.

A win would would move North Carolina past rival Duke University in National Championships.