Don’t Sleep On Villanova Basketball

Happy Monday Nova Nation! If you’re an avid consumer of all things college basketball, you’ve been hearing a lot about the Big East lately. How it’s such a tight conference race, how the leading Seton Hall pirates may not be the best team in the league, and how they’re upcoming meeting with that team could decide the Big East.

But those statements are referring to Villanova, they’re talking about the Creighton Bluejays. They’re not wrong, Creighton has been playing very well in the past few weeks, including a win at Villanova. But right now there are three teams vying for the Big East Regular Season Title, and they’re all in the drivers seat.

Villanova may be alone in third place, but that’s only because of the schedule. The Wildcats have played one fewer game so far, and assuming they pick up a win on Wednesday vs St. John’s they’ll be tied for second with Creighton and just a game out of first. Villanova and Creighton have already split their season series, but Seton Hall still needs to play each of the schools chasing them before the season ends. First will be Nova at Seton Hall (3/4) followed by Seton Hall at Creighton (3/7).

This puts us into a unique situation heading into the final two weeks of the season. Each of these teams can guarantee at least a share of the Big East title if they win out. For Nova, that’s a four game stretch including home games against St. John’s and Providence, followed by road games at Seton Hall and Georgetown. The Hall game is clearly the biggest one on the schedule, especially since it’s away. But don’t overlook Ed Cooley and the Friars who have picked up a few big wins (including at Seton Hall) and are now fighting for a spot on the bubble. Georgetown just lost to DePaul, so their NCAA Tournament hopes are soley focused on winning the Big East Tournament. That said, they would love to screw things up for the rival Wildcats.

Do I think Nova can run the table and win a share or the Big East Title, possibly even win it outright? Yes, yes I do. How likely is it to happen? KenPom.com gives the Wildcats a 14% chance to pull off that four game run, which includes a predicted 4 point loss at Seton Hall. So I’m throwing in a Monday Poll for you Nova Nation. How will Villanova do down the home stretch?

In other “news”, Harry Perretta coaches his last game at home, Villanova sweeps Xavier, and the Big East is well positioned for a deep March run. Enjoy!

Villanova Men’s Basketball

Villanova’s Jay Wright measures the lure of the NBA, and the lesson of John Beilein | The Inquirer
Wright is smart enough to see all the pitfalls of moving up, including those that Beilein endured in Cleveland. But he’s also smart enough to know that every decision deserves thought.

Villanova defeats Xavier

No. 12 Villanova beats Xavier 64-55 for 4th straight win | Yahoo! Sports
The 3-point shot dried up, forcing No. 12 Villanova to find a different way to keep its late-February surge going. Saddiq Bey scored 22 points and the Wildcats showed their versatility while beating Xavier 64-55 Saturday for their fourth straight win.

Villanova 64, Xavier 55: Stats, highlights and reaction from the Wildcats’ fourth straight win | The Inquirer
The 12th-ranked Wildcats did not light it up from three-point range as they had in the previous two games, but they got plenty of scoring from inside the arc. Saddiq Bey led 'Nova with 22 points.

Travis Steele on Xavier's loss to No. 12 Villanova | Cincinnati.com
Xavier coach Travis Steele talks about his team's 64-55 loss to No. 12 Villanova on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020.

XU's offense falls flat in 64-55 loss to Villanova | 247 Sports
The Musketeers hadn’t scored 55 points in a loss since losing 56-55 to Wofford on Dec. 22, 2012.

Superb Defense Helps Wildcats Subdue Xavier 64-55 | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova held Xavier in check at the defensive end to help spur a victory Saturday in Cincinnati.

Saddiq Bey, Jermaine Samuels propel No. 12 Villanova past Xavier | news-daily.com
Saddiq Bey scored 22 points and Jermaine Samuels added 17 points and eight rebounds as No. 12 Villanova posted a 64-55 victory over host Xavier on Saturday in Cincinnati.

Big East

Which conferences make the most of their NCAA tournament seeds? | ESPN
Think your league is well-positioned to win the national title? Here's why quality beats quantity when it comes to receiving tournament bids.

Veteran leadership and its success in the Big East | The Setonian
In a college basketball landscape that features prolific one-and-done freshman stars year in and year out, the Big East continues to thrive on player development and veteran success.

NBA Wildcats

Donte DiVincenzo could be helping the Sixers as a Philadelphia darling, as Jay Wright knew | The Inquirer
The Sixers drafted Zhaire Smith over DiVincenzo, who is a critical two-way player for the Milwaukee Bucks, the best team in the NBA.

Josh Hart tries to recruit Stefon Diggs to Redskins amidst trade rumors | NBC Sports Washington
New Orleans Pelican Josh Hart tried to recruit Stefon Diggs in a twitter exchange Thursday surrounding Jordan Reed's release from the Redskins. In true Dwanye Haskins fashion, he also chimed in to share his thoughts on Reed's release.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo on pace to 70 wins | Bill Michaels Sports
Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo joined Bill Michaels and Steve Novak for the Milwaukee Basketball Hour.

Timberwolves' Omari Spellman: Goes for 20 points | CBSSports.com
Timberwolves' Omari Spellman: Goes for 20 points

Villanova Women’s Basketball

A storybook finale for Harry Perretta on Sunday at Villanova | The Inquirer
DePaul came in 15-1 in the Big East, 25-3 overall, ranked 12th nationally. Didn't matter this day.

RECAP: Villanova Wildcats 61, Marquette Women’s Basketball 47 | Anonymous Eagle
It was not a pleasant trip to Finneran Pavilion for the Golden Eagles.

Gedaka, Herlihy Lead Wildcats Past Marquette | villanovan.com
Seniors Mary Gedaka and Bridget Herlihy scored all 14 of the Wildcats’ points in the second quarter, leading Villanova past Marquette, 61-47, on Friday night. The win brings ‘Nova’s overall

Women’s City Six: Drexel wins 12th straight over William & Mary in overtime | The Inquirer
Penn also won it's sixth straight game in an Ivy-League matchup against Dartmouth.

Women’s Basketball Honors Perretta, Seniors at Final Regular Season Home Game | Villanova University Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa.—It was a day for celebration at Finneran Pavilion on Sunday afternoon as Villanova honored its graduating seniors before its final regular season

Women’s Basketball Celebrates Senior Day and Harry Perretta’s Final Regular Season Home Game With Rousing 76-58 Victory over No. 12 DePaul on Sunday Afternoon | Villanova University Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa.—Senior guard Cameron Onken recorded the second triple-double in program history, redshirt freshman Madison Siegrist broke the Wildcats single-season

Villanova Football

Source: Dox Aitken, Virginia Midfielder, Commits to Play Football at Villanova | US Lacrosse Magazine
Continuing a recent trend of the sport’s top athletes pursuing a final season of college eligibility in a different sport, Virginia All-American midfielder Dox Aitken has committed to play football at Villanova this fall, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Villanova Athletics

Men's lacrosse suffers first loss of season against Villanova | The Hofstra Chronicle
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Hofstra men’s lacrosse team picked up their first loss of the season in a 10-8 contest against the Villanova University Wildcats on Saturday, Feb. 22, at James M. Shuart Stadium.

Villanova Fends of Tigers in the Seventh | Clemson Sports Talk
A two-run homer by Villanova left fielder Caroline Jones in the bottom of the second inning proved to be the difference as the Wildcats defeated Clemson 2-1 Friday afternoon at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Wildcats Sweep Double Header at Campbell Invitational | Villanova University Athletics
BUIES CREEK, NC – Villanova swept Saturday's double header at the Campbell Invitational by downing Maine 7-2 in the morning before coming back to top Campbell 6-2

Villanova Knocks off No. 16 Midshipmen | Villanova University Athletics
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Villanova went into Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon and left with a 12-9 upset victory over No. 16 Navy.

Early Goals Help Secure 10-8 Win Over Hofstra | Villanova University Athletics
Hempstead, N.Y.- The Villanova Wildcats picked up their second straight win on Saturday afternoon when they defeated the Hofrsta Pride 10-8 on the road.

Water Polo Splits Games at Courtney Fisher Invite | Villanova University Athletics
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — After traveling to Indiana a week ago, Villanova water polo stayed on the East Coast this weekend, competing at the Courtney Fisher Invite at

Offense Explodes as Wildcats Split Day Two of Citrus Classic | Villanova University Athletics
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Villanova softball returned to ESPN's Wide World of Sports on Feb. 22 for two more games. The Wildcats took on Morgan State in the first game of

Bracketology

NCAA predictions: Andy Katz's projections for the 2020 tournament field | NCAA.com
We're less than one month away from the start of the 2020 NCAA tournament. Here is NCAA.com's Andy Katz with his new bracket predictions.

March Madness bracket: Creighton, Michigan moving up | Sports Illustrated
Heading into the college basketball weekend schedule, here's how we view the 2020 NCAA tournament field.

College Basketball

What to know before you pick a team that shoots lots of 3s | NCAA.com
We looked at the last 16 years of NCAA Tournament data and came up with three things you should consider when picking teams that shoot a lot of 3s in your March Madness bracket.

College Basketball Top 25: Baylor, Gonzaga, Kansas top the list | NBC Sports
The only college basketball top 25 that you need to read. Here is a full breakdown of one AP voter's ballot for the best teams in college hoops.

San Diego State vs. UNLV score, takeaways: No. 4 Aztecs, the nation's last undefeated team, lose first game | CBSSports.com
The Aztecs fall to 26-1 after the loss to the Rebels, but will remain a No. 1 seed, according to Bracketology Expert Jerry Palm

Gonzaga vs. BYU score, takeaways: No. 2 Zags fall to Cougars, lose for the first time in 41 WCC games | CBSSports.com
Gonzaga took its first defeat since a Dec. 29 loss to Michigan

Kansas vs. Baylor score, takeaways: Jayhawks earn No. 1 national seed after taking down top-ranked Bears | CBSSports.com
No. 3 Kansas goes on the road and snaps No. 1 Baylor's 23-game winning streak