The Sun’s Arizin: Big East Tournament Roundup

Happy Monday Nova Nation! It’s the second best week of the year behind the start of the NCAA Tournament: Championship Week. It’s the perfect primer for the big dance, with tons of games that have huge implications to kick off the post season. For Villanova fans, we’re treated to having both of our teams now in position to make the NCAA Tournament, although they’ve come to that point in two very different ways.

The Villanova Women’s Basketball team was very much on the bubble heading into the Big East Tournament, needing a run to solidify their status as “IN”. Well they’ve done just that, entering as the 2 seed and beating St. John’s and Seton Hall over the weekend to setup a rematch with 1 seed UConn.

UConn is already at an advantage, as they’re basically the home team for the tournament played at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. However, Villanova comes into the game with the mental advantage of being the only Big East team to beat UConn in the regular season. Oh, and they did it in Connecticut.

Villanova will look to win its 4th Big East Tournament Championship on Monday night at 8:00PM on FS1. This would be their first since 2003, and of course their first under new head coach Denise Dillon. Best of luck!!!

Meanwhile, Villanova Men’s Basketball has secured the 2 Seed in their tournament, the top seed in what we’ll affectionately call the “East Region”. With the exception of DePaul on Villanova’s side of the bracket, all of the other Mid-West teams in the Big East ended up on Creighton’s side of the bracket.

For Villanova, that sets up a Thursday night game against the winner of St. John’s and DePaul from Wednesday. Should they win, they’ll advance to face the winner of UConn and Seton Hall/Georgetown. And waiting for them in the finals, should they advance, would likely be Providence, Marquette, or Creighton.

Lastly, this is also award season for the Big East. They already announced their First, Second, Honorary, and All-Rookie teams. Other awards like Defensive POY, Sixth Man, Most Improved, and Sportsmanship will be announced today. Finally, Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Scholar Athlete will all be named Wednesday. Player and Rookie of the year will come from the Big East First Team and Rookie Team respectively.

Should be a fun week, get excited Nova Nation!

In other news...

Villanova defeats Butler

Villanova used early run to beat Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse | The Inquirer
An early 23-4 Villanova run decided things at Hinkle Fieldhouse, as the Wildcats finished the regular season with a 23-7 (16-4) record.

Butler vs. No. 11 Villanova: Beyond the box score | The Butler Collegian
The Butler men’s basketball team lost their final regular season game of the season, falling to No. 11 Villanova 78-59.

Butler basketball loses to Villanova in regular-season finale | Indy Star
The loss was Butler’s 10th this season by 15 or more points and its fifth straight. The Bulldogs' 18 losses are the most in 32 years.

No. 11 Villanova cruises by Butler in regular-season finale | AP News
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Moore and No. 11 Villanova got defensive in their tune-up for the Big East Tournament. Moore scored 16 points, Jermaine Samuels added 15 and the Wildcats broke away early to beat Butler 78-59 Saturday in their regular-season finale.

Villanova Men’s Basketball

Gillespie, Moore Earn All-BIG EAST Honors | Villanova University
Wildcats backcourt is honored by BIG EAST

Gillespie Named to Wooden Award National Ballot | Villanova University
Gillespie is one of 15 candidates for John R. Wooden Award

Shore Reads: Dana O’Neil’s “The Big East” is perfect complement to Championship Week | pennlive.com
The longtime Villanova beat reporter and now senior college basketball correspondent for The Athletic hits all the right notes and mines stories from all the big names who built a titanic college basketball conference from scratch.

All-Big East: Gillespie unanimous, Champagnie honored again | Fox News
Villanova guard Collin Gillespie was the only unanimous pick for the all-Big East team Sunday, and St. John's forward Julian Champagnie joined him as a repeat selection.

Villanova Women’s Basketball

UConn to have rematch with Villanova in Big East final | journalinquirer.com
UNCASVILLE -- The UConn women's basketball team is back in a familiar spot -- playing for a conference championship.

Villanova women advance to Big East semifinals with a 76-52 win over St. John’s | The Inquirer
The 'Nova women showed up and showed out in a dominant victory.

Wildcats Escape Late Push From Seton Hall, Defeat the Pirates, 64-55, In Big East Semifinals | The Villanovan
UNCASVILLE, CT — On Feb. 13, after beating UConn and Marquette in consecutive games and moving up to second place in the conference, Villanova traveled to Seton Hall and fell 72-60. On Sunday night, behind strong performances from their veteran leaders, the Wildcats got their revenge, beating the Pirates, 64-55, in the Big East Tournament...

Villanova Athletics

Wildcats fall late to Panthers | Villanova University
ATLANTA, GA.- A three-run homer from Max Ryerson in the seventh inning was the difference maker in Villanova's 8-4 loss to Georgia State. Villanova drops to 1-9

Jones and Robinson Reach Consolation Quarterfinal at Pacific Coast Doubles Championship | Villanova University
LA JOLLA, Calif.—The doubles team of senior Matthew Jones (Dallas, Texas) and sophomore Josh Robinson (Potomac, Md.) made a thrilling run to the quarterfinal round

Second-half defensive stand lifts Villanova over Whittier | Villanova University
CLAREMONT, Calif. – Villanova's defense stood up with another powerful second-half performance, holding Whittier to just a pair of goals to finish off a 12-8 victory

Villanova Falls to Undefeated No.14 Rutgers | Villanova University
Piscataway, N.J. - The Villanova Wildcats fell to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Saturday afternoon 17-4. Villanova falls to 1-5, while No. 14 Rutgers remains undefeated

'Cats use strong second half to take down Santa Clara | Villanova University
CLAREMONT, Calif. – Villanova used a defensive stand to keep Santa Clara off the board in the third quarter to create distance for an 11-5 victory on Saturday.

Golf Begins Spring At Ross Collegiate Classic | Villanova University
The Villanova Golf team will start the spring portion of the 2022 season on Monday, in Southern Pines, North Carolina at the Ross Collegiate Classic. The two-day

D1 Men's lacrosse: St. Joe's, Drexel, Lehigh, Villanova earn victories - PhillyLacrosse.com | PhillyLacrosse.com
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/5/22From Press Releases Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse claimed its third-straight victory Saturday afternoon with a 15-10

Spring scrimmage sends Wildcats to Jacksonville | Villanova University
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a productive week of training in Gainesville, Fla., the rowing team packed up the trailer and made its way back up the northeast part

Jones Hits Fourth Home Run of the Week But Wildcats Edged by Boston College, 4-3 | Villanova University
CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Junior designated player Ally Jones (Brielle, N.J.) hit her fourth home run of the week and third in the last two days with two outs in the top of