JayVaughn Pinkston Saves Villanova with Poster Block Against Michigan

JayVaughn Pinkston stopped what should’ve been an unstoppable play Tuesday night, swatting away a tournament-winning dunk from Michigan in the waning moments of the game.

CBS Sports’ Sam Vecenie (h/t The Dagger’s Jeff Eisenberg) uploaded video of this most rude and spectacular block, which took place in the final game of the Legends Classic at the Barclays Center.

Moments after lacing a one-handed shot to give the Wildcats the lead, Pinkston expertly (and freakishly) defended an inbounds play to Zak Irvin with 7.8 seconds remaining in the contest. Pinkston rose just in time to meet Irvin, who broke unguarded to the basket thanks to a brick-house screen from Caris LeVert.

The two players met up in that rarefied air near the rim, and Pinkston came down with the block. Here’s another angle of the block, courtesy of Uproxx.com’s Andy Isaac.

How Pinkston managed to turn, jump and make the play without fouling Irvin is a miracle in and of itself.

The Villanova senior had been facing the inbounder, Michigan’s Spike Albrecht, before sensing the play and reacting. He turned 180 degrees, jumped and managed to pin all ball on Irvin’s would-be jam. These things do not just happen.

Pinkston’s block preserved Villanova’s lead, and the Wildcats held on to win the game 60-55. Having already handily bounced No. 14 Virginia Commonwealth from the tournament, the victory over the Wolverines gave Villanova its second statement win of the season.

It's not a sexy treasure chest of NBA lottery players, but Villanova is making noise early in the college basketball season. Take the Wildcats lightly at your own risk.

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