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Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

NCAA title game top scorer Booth returns healthy for Nova

FILE - In this April 4, 2016, file photo, Villanova guard Phil Booth (5) moves by North Carolina forward Brice Johnson (11) during the first half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball championship game, in Houston. Villanova guard Phil Booth is healthy and ready to play after missing almost all of last season with a knee injury. Booth was the leading scorer in Villanova’s national championship victory over North Carolina. Booth’s knees have hurt for two years. But coach Jay Wright says his star guard is ready to go for his junior season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
FILE - In this April 4, 2016, file photo, Villanova guard Phil Booth (5) moves by North Carolina forward Brice Johnson (11) during the first half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball championship game, in Houston. Villanova guard Phil Booth is healthy and ready to play after missing almost all of last season with a knee injury. Booth was the leading scorer in Villanova’s national championship victory over North Carolina. Booth’s knees have hurt for two years. But coach Jay Wright says his star guard is ready to go for his junior season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) FILE - In this April 4, 2016, file photo, Villanova guard Phil Booth (5) moves by North Carolina forward Brice Johnson (11) during the first half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball championship game, in Houston. Villanova guard Phil Booth is healthy and ready to play after missing almost all of last season with a knee injury. Booth was the leading scorer in Villanova’s national championship victory over North Carolina. Booth’s knees have hurt for two years. But coach Jay Wright says his star guard is ready to go for his junior season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) – Phil Booth can live with hitting only Villanova’s second-biggest buzzer beater in a national championship game.

Let’s throw it back to April 2016 in Houston.

“Five seconds to go in the half. Booth. He has time. Looks up, puts it up. And got it!” TBS announcer Jim Nantz said.

“Big time dagger. Booth!” analyst Bill Raftery said.

Just like that, Booth’s jumper at the horn cut North Carolina’s lead to 5 at halftime.