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The Villanova Wildcats have been the best team in Philadelphia for a while now. Yes, Penn beat them out for the Big 5 Title last season, but it’s been Villanova as the constant in the NCAA Tournament and representing the city on the national stage. Yet through all of that time Villanova has not been the team with the most Big 5 Titles to their name. That was still the Temple Owls.
Temple’s reign goes back to 1989 when they tied St. Joe’s with 13 Big 5 Titles a piece. They’d remain tied atop the city series with the Hawks until becoming the sole record holders in 1993 with their 16th title. As Villanova began to make its push in the 2000’s, Temple retained a comfortable lead. The Owls would win their 27th title in 2013 before Villanova would go on an unprecedented run of five consecutive outright titles.
That brings us to 2020, where Villanova enters the weekend already holding at least a share of their 27th title. Should they win it outright, they would finally tie Temple for the most titles in Big 5 history. However, the Owls still have a chance to extend their reign. Should Temple find a way to pull off the win at home on Sunday, they would also clinch a share of the title, their 28th All-Time.
Villanova will be a four point favorite per KenPom.com, and the experts will all be picking the Wildcats to walk away with a road victory. But this is a Big 5 rivalry game, and those never come easy. That said, Villanova rising to the top of the city series has been a long time coming. The Wildcats already have the most outright titles of any school. Jay Wright (12) is now just three titles behind John Chaney (15) for the most by any coach. And with a win on Sunday, Villanova will join Temple and St. Joe’s as the only schools which can claim at one point to have had the most titles in Big 5 history.
In other “news”,
Villanova Men’s Basketball
Villanova basketball team fighting to remain successful in the Big East Conference it created | The Inquirer
The young Wildcats need to mature quickly with tournament season just a month away.
College basketball rankings: Baylor, Gonzaga, Kansas on top | Sports Illustrated
SI's weekly college basketball power rankings saw Louisville stumble and Penn State rise.
Ranking the Most Unstoppable Offenses in College Basketball | Bleacher Report
No team is unbeatable in men's college basketball this year, but there are quite a few offenses that feel like they cannot be stopped. That doesn't mean they score on every possession...
Vecenie: 2020 NBA Mock Draft, Version 3.0 — Post trade deadline edition | The Athletic
NBA Draft Analyst Sam Vecenie notes the draft cycle is starting to take shape thanks to performances and teams making their in-season moves. Villanova's Saddiq Bey goes at #18 to the Bucks.
Wildcats Barely Hang On in a Nail-Biter at the Finn | villanovan.com
Villanova narrowly escaped with a 72-71 victory against Marquette last Wednesday night at the Finneran Pavilion, snapping the ‘Cats three-game losing skid. With this win, the Wildcats move to 18-6
College basketball power rankings: Gonzaga jumps over Baylor to retake No. 1 spot; Louisville slips - CBSSports.com
Matt Norlander's weekly rankings also have Kansas hopping over San Diego State and into the top three. Villanova comes in at #15.
Villanova vs Temple
Rose’s play helps Temple men’s basketball earn road win | The Temple News
Quinton Rose finished with six points and two steals in the final two minutes of the game.
Big 5 matchup of Temple-Villanova sold out at Liacouras Center | phillytrib.com
The huge Big 5 game between Temple University and Villanova University on Sunday is officially sold out.
Big East
Conference realignment 10 years later: the reshaping of college basketball | The Setonian
When it comes to college hoops, regional rivalries have consistently dominated the minds of local fans and created. In New Jersey, Rutgers and Seton Hall sit just 30 miles from each other and have left New Jersey split. The schools grew a disdain for each other during their 23 years together in the Big East, but conference realignment has stripped the rivalry of the in-conference stakes that the matchups once included.
Big East's Val Ackerman Talks Conference, College Sports Landscape | Front Office Sports
Val Ackerman runs the Big East, co-chairs the NCAA's NIL working group and has established herself as an important voice in the college sports space.
Busting Brackets Podcast: A look at ACC and Big East midway in 2019-20 | Busting Brackets
The latest Busting Brackets podcast focuses on both the Big East and the ACC. Who are the key teams to keep on eye on going forward?
NBA Wildcats
Warriors’ Paschall carries torch for those who don’t fit NBA draft mold | SFChronicle.com
When forward Eric Paschall suits up for the Rising Stars game Friday in Chicago as the Warriors’ lone representative at All-Star weekend, he’ll take pride in joining four fellow four-year college players: Miami guard Kendrick Nunn, Charlotte guard Devonte’ Graham, Memphis forward Brandon Clarke and Detroit guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
Pelicans video: Josh Hart gets left hanging by Zion Williamson... again | Clutch Points
We have a new video to add to the vault of Pelicans guard Josh Hart getting no love from his teammates. This time, it was rookie Zion Williamson.
Villanova Football
Coatesville’s Ricky Ortega, Dapree Bryant among local players invited to Big 33 all-star football game | The Inquirer
The record-setting pass-catch combination, who will continue their careers together at Villanova, were among the local players invited to participate in the Memorial Day game.
Villanova Athletics
Villanova Baseball set for Season Opener at Arizona State | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova, Pa. - Villanova baseball opens the 2020 season in the desert with a road trip to No. 3 Arizona State. Escaping the projected temperatures in the 20s throughout
Villanova Golf Ready for First Event of Spring | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova, Pa. – Villanova golf begins its spring season this weekend at the Banyan Creek Collegiate, hosted by UNCG and Martin Downs Golf Club in Palm City, Florida.
Anthony Brodie Named BIG EAST Men’s Track Athlete of the Week | Villanova University Athletics
NEW YORK—Freshman sprinter Anthony Brodie (Bronx, N.Y.) was named the BIG EAST Men's Track Athlete of the Week in an announcement made by the conference office on
Wildcats Travel to New York For a Matchup With Cornell | Villanova University Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa. - On Saturday afternoon, Villanova (1-0) will travel to Ithaca, New York, for a matchup with Cornell (0-0). This will be the season opener for the
Wildcats Ready To Host Two Tough Matches | Villanova University Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa. - For the first time this season, the Wildcats (2-1) will face opponents on back-to-back days. On Friday, Villanova will host local rival Drexel (2-4),
Wildcats Travel to Queens To Open Up BIG EAST Play | Villanova University Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa. - On Friday, Villanova (2-1) will travel to Queens, New York, on Friday for a matchup with BIG EAST opponent St. John's (4-2).
Trudy-Ann Williamson Named BIG EAST Women’s Track Athlete of the Week | Villanova University Athletics
NEW YORK—Senior sprinter Trudy-Ann Williamson (Kingston, Jamaica) was named the BIG EAST Women's Track Athlete of the Week in an announcement made by the conference
Villanova to Compete at Indiana Classic | Villanova University Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa. – After taking on a slew of strong teams last weekend in California, Villanova's water polo team is back in action, although on again on the road.
College Basketball
South Carolina gets NCAA notice of allegations related to corruption probe | ESPN
South Carolina officials confirmed on Thursday that the university received an NCAA notice of allegations that charges the Gamecocks with one Level I violation related to former assistant coach Lamont Evans.
Northern Iowa criticized after denying fan $10,000 prize in shooting promotion | ESPN
Northern Iowa is being met with criticism after the school and its business partner denied a $10,000 prize to a student who appeared to win a halftime shooting contest.