Dante Cunningham basks in Villanova's victory

Dante Cunningham's alma mater is the national champion, and he's gloating over it.

"I definitely have some bragging rights," the New Orleans Pelicans power forward said Tuesday of Villanova's 77-74 victory over North Carolina in the NCAA title game. "You guys can't tell me nothing for the whole year. 'Nova is definitely number one."

The Pelicans faced the 76ers on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. The former Wildcats star visited Villanova's campus on Monday afternoon. He walked on the Pavilion's court and took pictures inside the arena as a way to "feel the atmosphere and the aura."

He left campus in time to watch the game with the Pelicans.

His reaction to Kris Jenkins' game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer?

"What can I say? I was jumping and screaming the whole time," he said. "I couldn't stop screaming."

Cunningham averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in his four seasons at Villanova. As a senior, in 2009, he helped to lead the Wildcats to their first Final Four appearance since they won the 1985 national title. His college career ended in an 83-69 loss to North Carolina in the national semifinals.

"I'm just so proud of the guys," Cunningham said. "They work hard and stuck with it even when they hit that amazing three [by Marcus Paige] with a couple of seconds left."

Because of a rash of Pelicans injuries, Cunningham recently moved from center back to power forward, his natural position. It turned out to be a good move. He had his best four-game stretch heading into the matchup with the Sixers.

He had 12 points against the New York Knicks on March 28. Cunningham followed that with 10 points against San Antonio on March 30 before scoring just five the following night against the Denver Nuggets. He had 14 points at the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

"As I was watching the game last night, he epitomizes what a 'Nova player is," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. "They've got grit. They play hard. They are all about the team.

"I said to him this morning in our meeting with our players, I said, 'Now I understand why you are the way you are. . . . So it doesn't surprise me that he's had his best four games."

Sixers coach Brett Brown watched the national championship with his 11-year-old son, Sam.

"I mean it's just fantastic for the city," Brown said. "Thrilled for [Villanova coach] Jay [Wright]. Thrilled for something that you saw grow."

Brown was asked if he would have guarded the inbounds pass that led to Jenkins' game-winner. North Carolina did not.

"I will take the fifth," he said.

At the conclusion of the game, Wright calmly looked in the direction of the North Carolina bench to congratulate the Tar Heels as everyone around him celebrated.

"I just think he's class," Brown said. "I think it shows a lot of discipline."