March Madness 2022: Villanova back to Sweet 16 after win over Ohio State

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Collin Gillespie saw Eric Dixon out of the corner of his eye and sent a cross-court pass that doubled as permission to let it fly.

So Dixon did, knocking down the biggest shot of his team's season, one that sent the second-seeded Wildcats back to familiar territory against a familiar opponent on a familiar stage.

Dixon's 3-pointer from the wing with 1:38 to go gave Villanova the breathing room it needed in a 71-61 win over seventh-seeded Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, propelling the Wildcats (28-7) back to San Antonio to face 11th-seeded Michigan (19-14) in the South Regional semifinal on Thursday.

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Villanova's Collin Gillespie (2) tries to get the ball past Ohio State's Jamari Wheeler (55) during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Sunday, March 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Four years ago, Gillespie was a freshman on the Villanova team that held off the Wolverines for the program's second national title in three seasons. Now he's a two-time Big East Player of the Year and the unquestioned leader of a group that seems to feed off Gillespie's "follow me" vibe, one on full display in the final moments.

The Wildcats led by 64-59 when Gillespie backed into the post. The Buckeyes scrambled to double-team him, freeing up the 6-foot-8 Dixon. Gillespie had options.

The fact he sent it over to a player with just 28 3-point attempts on the season hardly mattered. It was the smart play. Gillespie made it. It's what he does.

Dixon caught the ball and drilled the shot, buoyed by the show of faith