Report: Villanova to play Syracuse in Jimmy V Classic

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein is noting sources are telling him that the Villanova Wildcats and Syracuse Orange will face each other in the 2021 Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.

This would be Villanova’s fifth time playing in pre-season Classic in New York City. The last time the ‘Cats participated, the Wildcats defeated Gonzaga early in the 2018 National Championship season. Previous to that, ‘Nova lost to Texas in 2008 and to Missouri in 2011, while beating Illinois in December 2014.

The presumed matchup re-ignites a clash between the former BIG EAST foes. ‘Cuse and ‘Nova last faced each other during a two-year home & home series across the 2014 & 2015 seasons following the Orange’s departure to the ACC.

Jim Boeheim’s upstate New York squad finished the 2021 season 18-10 (8th ACC). They lost to Houston in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, but will add ‘Nova transfer Cole Swider to their 2021-22 squad.

Syracuse holds the all-time series edge, claiming 38 wins across the pair’s 72 meetings. Jay Wright is 12-9 all-time against Syracuse.