Villanova’s Tanoh Kpassagnon and the Chiefs claim Super Bowl victory

Happy Monday Nova Nation! After a few weeks off to welcome my second child into the Wildcat faithful, I’m back and ready to talk some Villanova Basketball! What’s that? We lost to Creighton? Then I’m ready to talk some Villanova Football!

Last night Tanoh Kpassagnon, the starting defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs, became the latest Villanova Wildcat to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Full disclosure, I’m a 49ers fan, so I wasn’t rooting on one of the best defensive players to play for Nova in quite some time. That said, I’m certainly happy that he earned a ring in just his second season in the NFL.

Not only did Kpassagnon earn a starting spot this season, but he recorded two tackles in his Super Bowl debut. And with the Chiefs being the Vegas favorites to win it all again next year, he may get a shot at improving on that performance next season. Also congratulations another Villanova Football alum, Mike Bradway, who now serves on the Chiefs coaching staff. Go Cats!

In other “news”, Bryan Antoine talks about his playing time, Saddiq Bey is getting first round talk, and the Big East is a tough conference. Enjoy!

Villanova Men’s Basketball

Villanova freshman Bryan Antoine stays patient with limited playing time after shoulder surgery | The Inquirer
Antoine endured more than five months of rehab after his May 31 surgery and has played limited minutes since being cleared to play Nov. 21. But he has accepted the process of recovery.

What Scouts Are Saying About the Top 2020 NBA Draft Prospects | Bleacher Report
While Bleacher Report has been providing NBA draft analysis all season, it's important to hear what scouts are thinking since their opinions are fed to general managers, who then make the selections...

Creighton defeats Villanova

Creighton men's basketball earns upset win at No. 8 Villanova | omaha.com
Junior Denzel Mahoney scored a season-high 21 points off the bench and Creighton held off a strong second-half rally from No. 8 Villanova in a CU victory Saturday afternoon.

Villanova basketball: Wildcats upset at home by Creighton | Sports Illustrated
The Bluejays have won four in a row and avenged a home loss to the Wildcats on in early January.

Creighton 76, No. 8 Villanova 61: Stats, highlights and reaction from the Wildcats’ loss | The Inquirer
The Wildcats fell behind by 17 points in the first half, and could not recover in the second half as their seven-game winning streak was snapped. The Bluejays were 11 of 22 from three-point range.

Creighton gets rough, beats 'Nova at its own game | Sports | delcotimes.com
PHILADELPHIA — Finding ways to win has been one of Villanova’s trademarks this season. Since just before Christmas, the eighth-ranked Wildcats held off Kansas, Xavier, Creighton, DePaul, UConn and Providence,

Wildcats Drop 76-61 Decision to Creighton | Villanova University Athletics
Creighton snapped Villanova's seven-game winning streak Saturday afternoon

Big East

Fouling in a Tie Basketball Game Is Unorthodox but Oftentimes the Right Move | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
When Marquette's Brendan Bailey intentionally fouled Butler's Kamar Baldwin with 18 seconds remaining in a tie game on Jan. 24, everyone freaked out, calling it a horrific, indefensible decision...

College basketball rankings: Big East upset chaos leads to Top 25 and 1 shakeup | CBSSports.com
Villanova, Seton Hall and Butler all lost at home as favorites on Saturday

NBA Wildcats

Philadelphia 76ers: Passing on Eric Paschall was a telling mistake | Section 215
As the Philadelphia 76ers scour the market for a serviceable four, one has to wonder why the team didn't target a forward like Eric Paschall in the draft.

Raptors' Kyle Lowry says he was shoved by fan after diving into stands during game against Cavs | CBSSports.com
It's not the first time someone in the stands has put their hands on Lowry

Mikal Bridges has arrived for the Phoenix Suns | Valley of the Suns
After a slow start a move into the starting lineup and strong games signal the unleashing of Mikal Bridges for the Phoenix Suns.

Milwaukee Bucks: DiVincenzo not selected for Rising Stars Challenge | Behind the Buck Pass
Second-year Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo was not among those chosen for next month's NBA Rising Stars Challenge in Chicago.

With Luka Doncic sidelined, Mavs’ Jalen Brunson slides back into a familiar role | Dallas Morning News
The Mavericks’ game Saturday against the Hawks had a different feel, and Jalen Brunson knew it. On a team level, Dallas played with Luka Doncic (sprained...

Warriors rookie Eric Paschall selected to 2020 NBA Rising Stars Game | NBCS Bay Area
The No. 41 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft is averaging 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Villanova Women’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball Defeats St. John’s in Overtime, 66-64 | Sports | villanovan.com
History repeated itself on Friday night as the Wildcats defeated St. John’s in overtime for the second time this season, 66-64. The win brings Villanova’s overall record to 12-9, 6-4

Villanova Tops St. John’s In Overtime 66 – 64 in Women’s Big East Basketball | Philly College Sports
The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Red Storm of St. John’s for the second time this season, twice in overtime. The game was not decided until a last second shot by Red Storm guard Qadashah Hoppie fell short giving the Wildcats a 66 – 64 win at the Finn.

Villanova Athletics

Wildcats Down UConn | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova, Pa. - For the fourth Spring season in a row, the Wildcats (1-1) defeated future BIG EAST rival UConn (0-3) 6-1 at home.

Distance Runners Shine at Villanova Invitational | Villanova University Athletics
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.—Junior middle distance runner Nick Steele (Harvard, Mass.) cut nearly four seconds off his lifetime best in the Mile while approaching a sub-four

Thomas and Jones Break 8.50 in 60 Meter Hurdles at Villanova Invitational | Villanova University Athletics
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.—Sophomore sprinter Jada Thomas (Kingston, Jamaica) and junior Sarah Jones (Sewell, N.J.) each broke 8.50 in the 60 meter hurdles for the first

Four Wildcats Named to 2020 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team | Villanova University Athletics
New York, N.Y. – The conference office announced on Friday morning that four Wildcats were named to the 2020 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team: sophomores Sydney Frank

Bracketology

Bracketology 2020 Projected Field: Virginia re-enters, Villanova rises | Busting Brackets
With Virginia taking down FSU at home, it has moved back into our bracketology projected field. How does the rest of the bracket shake out?

NCAA tournament Bubble Watch — First look at the wildest bubble in years | ESPN
Your updated source for all of the latest on the NCAA tournament bubble has launched. A whopping 44 teams have something to prove over the next six weeks.

College Basketball Bracketology 2020: The bubble’s revolving door is back with a vengeance | SBNation.com
Our latest bracket projection features three new at-large teams and some new names under consideration.

College Basketball

Weekend Wrap: Coaches wrestle with how to coach through Bryant’s death | San Gabriel Valley Tribune
When Flintridge Prep girls basketball coach Kevin Kiyomura arrived at his basketball office Monday night, he took a seat, took a deep breath, and said, “I’m still in a state of shock, and I have no idea what I’m going to tell the girls.”