In one sequence, while double-teamed, he made a marvelous wraparound bounce pass along the baseline from one corner to the other to set up a Mikal Bridges three-pointer. In another, the Jayhawks trimmed Villanova's lead to 12 twice, and on each subsequent possession, the 6-foot-3 Brunson drilled a three-pointer — the first over Sam Cunliffe, who is 6-6, and the second over Silvio De Sousa, who is 6-9.

All the while, the placid expression on his face never changed. It never does. It is as if he has stripped away everything from his game that is unessential for him, including any obvious displays of emotion, leaving only his skills and smarts and unselfishness.