The Villanova Wildcats made a trip to the White House on Tuesday on the heels of their dramatic buzzer-beating win over the North Carolina Tar Heels in April's national championship game, and the customary ceremony with President Barack Obama was highlighted by praise of the team's tremendous achievements.
The commemoration of Villanova's second national title also included plenty of jokes, which came fast and furious once the team assembled behind the Commander in Chief, as CSN Philly's John Boruk documented:
Obama: "I guess it's the Blue and White House today" #NovaNation pic.twitter.com/aVnVxqvzEp
— John Boruk (@JohnBorukCSN) May 31, 2016
Shortly after things got underway, Obama explained he should have heeded the advice of Vice President Joe Biden after incorrectly picking the Kansas Jayhawks—whom Villanova dispatched in the Elite Eight—to win his bracket, according to SB Nation's Brian Ewart:
Joe Biden picked Villanova in his bracket, "unfortunately I didn't follow his counsel" #NovaWhiteHouse
— Brian Ewart (@Brian_Ewart) May 31, 2016
Obama also took a moment to compliment head coach Jay Wright's GQ-esque fashion sensibilities, per Ewart:
— Brian Ewart (@Brian_Ewart) May 31, 2016
Once his opening remarks were out of the way, Obama took time to praise Kris Jenkins' heroic effort in the closing seconds of 'Nova's 77-74 win.