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No. 2 Villanova Beats No. 5 Houston to Advance to Final Four in Men's NCAA Tournament

Mar 27, 2022
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 26: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Houston Cougars in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Elite 8 Round at AT&T Center on March 26, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 26: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Houston Cougars in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Elite 8 Round at AT&T Center on March 26, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

For the first time since the 2017-18 season, the second-seeded Villanova Wildcats are headed to the Final Four after defeating the fifth-seeded Houston Cougars 50-44 on Saturday in Elite Eight action at AT&T Center. 

This is the third time since the 2015-16 season that Villanova has reached the Final Four under head coach Jay Wright. The Wildcats won the NCAA title in 2016 and 2018.

The Wildcats have had an impressive run in the NCAA tournament, also defeating Delaware, Ohio State and Michigan behind solid performances from Collin Gillespie, Jermaine Samuels and Justin Moore. 

Gillespie was somewhat invisible Saturday, but Houston's significant offense struggles allowed the Wildcats to escape with a win. 

Notable Performers

Jermaine Samuels, Villanova: 16 PTS, 10 REB 

Taze Moore, Houston: 15 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST

Caleb Daniels, Villanova: 12 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST

Jamal Shead, Houston: 9 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST

Collin Gillespie, Villanova: 6 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST

Jermaine Samuels Continues Impressive NCAA Tournament Run

Samuels has been one of Villanova's best players throughout the NCAA tournament, and he was a difficult matchup for Houston on Saturday night thanks to his size, strength and versatility.

The senior forward led the team with 16 points and 10 rebounds to help boost the Wildcats into the Final Four, and it was only his latest double-digit performance.

In a first-round win over Creighton, Samuels notched 15 points. He followed that up with 17 points against Ohio State in the second round and 22 points against Michigan in the Sweet 16.

Samuels' performance on Saturday was even more important because star guard Collin Gillespie struggled, making just one of six shots from the floor and zero of four from beyond the arc.

While Gillespie will undoubtedly need to be better in the next round, it's an excellent sign for Villanova that players like Samuels are elevating their game through each contest.

To put his impact into perspective, Samuels entered Saturday's game against Houston averaging 11 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists this season.

Wright's teams have always been focused on team efforts, and that's exactly what it's going to take for the Wildcats to win another title under the veteran head coach.

Houston Offense Abysmal in Close Game Against Villanova

The Cougars kept the score close throughout Saturday's game, but they were never able to overcome a very beatable Villanova side that saw its own offensive struggles.

Houston made 17 of 57 shots from the floor and was even worse from beyond the arc, making just one of 20 shots. It was by far the Cougars' worst shooting performance of the NCAA tournament. 

Entering Saturday's game, Houston was shooting 54.9 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from deep this season, according to Sports Reference. 

While many of the team's difficulties on Saturday could be attributed to the solid defense Villanova played, the Cougars even struggled to make open shots. 

The Cougars had seven players averaging double digits this season. Only Taze Moore reached double digits against the Wildcats, finishing with 15 points, in addition to 10 rebounds and one assist. 

However, it's important to note the Cougars were missing their best offensive player in Marcus Sasser, who suffered a season-ending foot injury in December. Before going down, he led the team with 17.7 points per game. 

Had Sasser been available, Houston might have been the team moving on to the Final Four. Instead, the Cougars will be looking for ways to improve next season. 

What's Next?

Villanova moves on to the Final Four and will face either No. 1 Kansas or No. 10 Miami. 

No. 2 Villanova Beats No. 11 Michigan, Advances to Elite 8 in South Region

Mar 25, 2022
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 24: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats drives between Caleb Houstan #22 and Moussa Diabate #14 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 Round at AT&T Center on March 24, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 24: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats drives between Caleb Houstan #22 and Moussa Diabate #14 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 Round at AT&T Center on March 24, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

In a rematch of the 2018 national championship game, Villanova yet again emerged triumphant.

The Wildcats moved on to the Elite Eight by defeating Michigan 63-55 in Thursday's South Regional Sweet 16 matchup in San Antonio. 

Two current Villanova players, Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels, played in that 2018 championship contest, so it didn't come as a big surprise that the two graduate students played significant roles in Thursday's proceedings. 

For Michigan, only Eli Brooks made an appearance in the 2018 matchup. 

This wasn't the prettiest game. Both defenses were stout, with Villanova shooting just 37.3 percent from the field while Michigan shot only 34.4 percent. But while the Wildcats were 10-of-12 from the charity stripe, Michigan was just 7-of-14. And Villanova's team defense mitigated Michigan's size advantage inside, with the Wolverines only out-rebounding the Wildcats by a 41-38 margin.

The two schools entered this year's showdown with far different storylines surrounding their NCAA tournaments. The second-seeded Wildcats were supposed to be here and posted composed victories over Delaware and Ohio State. 

And the 11th-seeded Wolverines were looking to continue an improbable run after beating sixth-seeded Colorado State and third-seeded Tennessee.

But similar to that 2017-18 teamā€”also an underdog when they faced the Wildcatsā€”the road ended with Villanova.

Key Stats

Jermaine Samuels, NOVA: 22 points, seven boards

Collin Gillespie, NOVA: 12 points, six rebounds

Justin Moore, NOVA: 15 points, four assists, four boards

Hunter Dickinson, MICH: 15 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks

Eli Brooks, MICH: 14 points, five rebounds

Devante' Jones, MICH: Seven points, four boards, four assists

Villanova's Balance Is So Tough to Overcome

The Wildcats may not have a superstar, future top-five NBA pick on their roster, but they have multiple players who canā€”and willā€”beat you on any given possession. And that was on full display against Michigan. 

Samuels and Moore led the way scoring the rock. Gillespie had a tough shooting night (4-of-14) but turned the ball over just once and hit the dagger three that all but put the game away.

Caleb Daniels was huge in the second half on both ends, hitting a few key buckets and coming up with a blocked shot.

Somebody always seems to hit a big shot for these Wildcats or come up with a key defensive stop. They are disciplined and poised, and on Thursday, they slowly and methodically wore the Wolverines down on both ends. 

Jay Wright has another legitimate contender on his hands.

Dickinson and Brooks Couldn't Lead Michigan Past Its Shooting Woes

There were points in this game where it felt like there was a lid on the rim every time Michigan attempted a layup. It was just one of those nights for the Wolverines, though Nova's tough defense certainly played a part. 

Dickinson and Brooks tried to carry the Wolverines, but with nobody else hitting double-digit points, that weight was too much to bear. 

It was a heck of a run for these Wolverines. But the magic wore off on Thursday. 

What's Next?

Villanova awaits the winner of No. 1 seed Arizona vs. No. 5 seed Houston. They'll face off on Saturday (time to be determined). 

No. 2 Villanova Survives No. 7 Ohio State's Upset Bid; Will Play Michigan in Sweet 16

Mar 20, 2022
Villanova's Collin Gillespie (2) works to get around Ohio State 's Jamari Wheeler (55) during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Villanova's Collin Gillespie (2) works to get around Ohio State 's Jamari Wheeler (55) during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

No. 2 Villanova will return to the Sweet 16 after surviving a 71-61 win over No. 7 Ohio State on Sunday.

Collin Gillespie had 20 points at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, avoiding a potential upset bid in the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Villanova was seemingly in full control of the game early, leading by 11 points at halftime and as much as 15 in the second half.

The Buckeyes still kept the game within striking distance, eventually making a move with under 12 minutes left. A 15-5 run cut the deficit to two, putting pressure on the South Region's No. 2 seed.

The Wildcats still came through when it mattered, with Eric Dixon hitting a huge three in the final minutes.

It was enough for Villanova to pull out a close win in a game it never trailed.

Malaki Branham and E.J. Liddell combined for 40 points for Ohio State, but it wasn't enough for the upset.

Villanova sometimes has trouble reaching the second weekend, but the squad is usually dangerous from that point on. Three of the last four trips to the Sweet 16 later featured a Final Four appearance, including two national championships.

The Wildcats will face No. 11 Michigan in the Sweet 16.

Notable Performances

Collin Gillespie, G, NOVA: 20 points, 4 assists

Jermaine Samuels, F, NOVA: 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals

Eric Dixon, F, NOVA: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block

E.J. Liddell, F, OSU: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks

Malaki Branham, G, OSU: 23 points, 4 assists

Kyle Young, F, OSU: 6 points, 6 rebounds

Collin Gillespie Leads Balanced Effort for Villanova

It wasn't the best game from Gillespie, who finished 5-of-14 from the field and 2-of-9 from three, but he came through at important times for the Wildcats.

The senior helped Villanova build an early lead with excellent individual ability:

https://twitter.com/KrystleRich/status/1505623088150589441

Gillespie outscored Ohio State for the first eight minutes of the game as Villanova quickly went up double digits.

The guard went quiet during the middle stretch of the game when his team held a double-digit lead, but he sprung back into action with clutch buckets down the stretch.

It was then Gillespie who drew extra attention in the post before kicking it out to Dixon for the key three-pointer.

Villanova had four players in double digits, including a strong showing by Jermaine Samuels. It was still Gillespie who made the key plays in the game's biggest moments, helping the Wildcats advance to the Sweet 16.

Ohio State Falls Short Despite Branham's Heroics

For much of the game, Ohio State simply seemed overmatched against an opponent that was better on both ends of the court.

Liddell did his part, but the squad needed a secondary scorer to even be competitive.

Branham apparently got the message, lighting it up in the second half to get his team back in the game.

The freshman helped Ohio State cut a 15-point second-half deficit down to two with some big shots.

It was seemingly a miracle for the Buckeyes to even be that close after being bailed out by difficult shots in the first half.

The Buckeyes still trailed by 11 at halftime, and the score could have been much worse:

Branham and Liddell put up a fight in the second half, but there simply wasn't enough scoring depth.

Once Kyle Young left the game with an apparent head injury, Ohio State couldn't keep up on the scoreboard.      

Collin Gillespie, No. 5 Villanova Beat Creighton to Win 2022 Big East Championship

Mar 13, 2022
Villanova's Collin Gillespie (2) uses a screen by Eric Dixon (43) as Connecticut's R.J. Cole defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big East men's tournament Friday, March 11, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Villanova's Collin Gillespie (2) uses a screen by Eric Dixon (43) as Connecticut's R.J. Cole defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big East men's tournament Friday, March 11, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Second-seeded Villanova continued to assert its dominance in the Big East with a 54-48 win over fourth-seeded Creighton on Saturday at Madison Square Garden to capture the men's conference title for the fourth time since 2017 and the sixth time overall.

Saturday's game was the first time Villanova and Creighton had met in the Big East title game since 2017, a game the Wildcats won 74-60. The Bluejays have never won a Big East Championship and are now 0-4 in the big game.

Villanova now has the third-most Big East title wins with six, breaking a tie with Syracuse, who has five. The Wildcats reached the Big East Championship with wins over No. 7 St. John's and No. 3 UConn.

Saturday's game got off to an extremely slow start, with Villanova entering halftime up 19-18. And while the second half was far more entertaining, both teams struggled to score, specifically from deep.

Villanova made just eight of 32 three-pointers, while Creighton made just three of 29. In addition, the Wildcats shot just 33.3 percent from the floor, while the Bluejays shot 32.8 percent.

Villanova never seemed to lose control in this game, especially down the stretch, thanks to Big East Player of the Year Collin Gillespie, who finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

Justin Moore also had a sensational performance for the Wildcats, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds. It was his best game of the tournament.

Creighton, however, had the best player on the floor, with Ryan Kalkbrenner finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and one assist. His performance just wasn't enough, as the Bluejays' second-best player was Alex O'Connell, who finished with just 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.

With Saturday's win, Villanova punched its ticket to the NCAA tournament for the ninth straight year, excluding the 2019-20 season when no postseason was held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wildcats are looking for their first national title since 2018 and third since 2016.

5-Star SF Cam Whitmore Commits to Villanova Over UNC, Illinois

Oct 7, 2021

Highly touted wing Cam Whitmore committed to Villanova on Thursday.

The 6'6" small forward sits sixth at his position and 24th nationally in 247Sports' composite rankings. He's also the best player from the state of Maryland in the 2022 class.

In terms of what to expect from Whitmore, he offered a telling comment to Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan last August.

"My first priority is to attack the basket," he said. "I believe whoever is guarding me, there's no way they can stop me from getting to the basket. I'm working on shooting off the dribble and that's been getting better. Overall, I think I defend pretty well. I can block shots, and I'm versatile enough to really defend all positions."

If he sees a path to the paint, Whitmore won't hesitate to put his head down and go. His attacking instincts extend to when he's away from the ball as well since put-back dunks are one tool in his arsenal.

Eric Bossi of 247Sports also described Whitmore as the "basketball version of a heat-seeking missile whose target is attacking the rim and causing as much destruction as possible once he gets there."

There's a good chance the dynamic forward will put somebody on a poster as a member of the Wildcats.

Of course, athleticism and dunking ability only goes so far at the college level, at least for players who want to reach an elite level.

Whitmore acknowledged to McMillan he has some room to grow as a shooter. He can't afford to have opponents sag off him on the perimeter, thus cutting off his angles for drives into the paint.

As long as he can make defenders respect his jumper, Whitmore will be a terror on offense for Villanova.

He joins 4-star combo guard Mark Armstrong in Villanova's incoming 2022 class.  Armstrong is 46th overall in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Beyond getting the program back to a place where it could contend for national championships, Jay Wright has been excellent at developing talent. Saddiq Bey, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart all maxed out in college en route to solid pro careers so far.

That probably didn't go unnoticed by Whitmore, considering how much his ceiling will rise if he can flesh out his offensive repertoire.

No. 5 Villanova Escapes with 73-63 Win over No. 12 Winthrop in NCAA Tournament

Mar 20, 2021
Villanova guard Caleb Daniels (14) celebrates a defensive stop with Justin Moore (5) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) in the second half of a first round game against Winthrop in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Friday, March 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Villanova guard Caleb Daniels (14) celebrates a defensive stop with Justin Moore (5) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) in the second half of a first round game against Winthrop in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Friday, March 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Villanova has no time for Cinderella.

While many tabbed the No. 5 Wildcats as an upset candidate with Collin Gillespie sidelined by injury, they handled the No. 12 Winthrop Eagles 73-63Ā in Friday's first round of the 2021 NCAA men's tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis.Ā Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Justin MooreĀ led the way for the victors in Gillespie's absence.

A solid showing from D.J. Burns Jr. and Chandler Vaudrin was not enough for the Eagles, who have not won a game in the Big Dance since the 2006-07 season.

Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā Ā 

Notable Player Stats

  • Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, F, NOVA: 22 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST, 3 BLK
  • Justin Moore, G, NOVA: 15 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST
  • Jermaine Samuels, F, NOVA: 11 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST
  • D.J. Burns Jr., WIN: 12 PTS, 4 REB
  • Chandler Vaudrin, G, WIN: 9 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST

Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā Ā 

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl Leads Balanced, Methodical Effort for Wildcats

The Wildcats needed a spark with Gillespie sidelined, and they got it when Moore took the floor.

There was a time when his status was up in the air following anĀ ankle injuryĀ near the end of the regular season, but he was healthy and ready to go Friday as the only player on either team in double figures by halftime.

Villanova needed that other scorer to emerge in the first half since Jermaine Samuels, who poured in a combined 41 points the previous two games without Gillespie, was quiet in the early going and unable to create the typical mismatches he usually does as someone who can hit from deep, cut into the basket and battle for boards.

While Samuels wasn't the go-to option that he was in previous games without Gillespie, Winthrop had no answer for Robinson-Earl.

The sophomore did a little bit of everything by protecting the rim, controlling the glass, scoring in the lane and facilitating when defenders collapsed on him. It was a pick-your-poison situation, though, because he scored on the blocks multiple times when additional defenders didn't provide much-needed help.

Robinson-Earl was the anchor, but Villanova's committee approach also saw Bryan Antoine and Cole Swider provide outside shooting from the bench and Caleb Daniels hit multiple three-pointers as a third scorer.

Samuels also got involved as the game progressed and the Wildcats found the balanced attack with a primary option leading the way in Robinson-Earl that they will need to survive and advance without Gillespie.

Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā 

Winthrop's Upset Effort Stalls with Offense in Second Half

The 23-1 record entering the tournament stood out, but it was fair to question Winthrop heading into Friday's contest.

After all, it didn't play a single major conference team during the regular season and was just 119th in the country in KenPom.com's offensiveĀ rankings. Keeping up with the Wildcats, who were No. 9 in those rankings, was quite the task.

The Eagles looked up to that task from the start with balanced scoring, a willingness to push the ball in transition and a notable ability to protect the ball against Villanova's perimeter defenders. Winthrop had just three turnovers by halftime while avoiding some of the mistakes that have cost other underdogs.

Burns Jr. was also a force down low and either scored himself on the blocks or drew additional defenders to open up looks for his teammates.

His presence helped keep the Eagles within striking distance as they looked to set up a thrilling finish, but things changed when he picked up his fourth foul with around nine minutes remaining.

The offense stalled, Vaudrin started forcing the issue at times and the Big South representative fell behind by double digits for the first time all game. It also didn't help that Burns fouled out shortly after he returned to the game, forcing Winthrop to go small.

The result was justĀ 30Ā points in the second half as the Eagles saw their impressive season come to an end.

Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā Ā 

What's Next?

The WildcatsĀ will face the No. 13 North Texas Mean Green in Sunday's second-round clash in the South Region.

Villanova's Collin Gillespie to Miss NCAA Tournament with Knee Injury

Mar 4, 2021
Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (2) in action during an NCAA college basketball game against Creighton, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (2) in action during an NCAA college basketball game against Creighton, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)

Villanova will be without one of its senior leaders for the rest of the season and the NCAA men's basketball tournament.Ā 

According to Jeff Borzello of ESPN, guard Collin Gillespie suffered a torn MCL during Wednesday's victory over Creighton and will likely miss the rest of the season. This is a devastating loss for the Wildcats, who are national title contenders, Big East champions and competing for a top seed in the Big Dance.

Villanova head coach Jay Wright thanked people for their support in wake of the news:

"We are all devastated for Collin," WrightĀ said. "He is the heart and soul of our program. We know we can't replace him. We all just want to step up and play so that we honor him. ... Collin is as mentally tough and resilient as any player we have had here. I know he will get through this and make it a positive for his career."

Gillespie is second on the Wildcats in points (14.0) and leads them in both assists (4.6) and steals (1.0) per game, underscoring how valuable he is in a number of areas.

He is also shooting 37.6 percent from three-point range as someone who can hit from the outside, attack the basket off the bounce and set up teammates as the floor general for the Big East champions.

Villanova will likely rely even more on the combination of Caleb Daniels and Bryan Antoine in the backcourt with Gillespie sidelined.

The Wildcats are scheduled to finish their regular season Saturday against Providence.

Butler Upsets No. 8 Villanova 73-61 Ahead of Big East Tournament

Feb 28, 2021
Butler guard Chuck Harris (3) shoots over Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (2) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Butler guard Chuck Harris (3) shoots over Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (2) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The 2020-21 season has been a nightmare for Butler, but the Bulldogs appear determined to finish strong.

Chuck Harris scored 20 points and Jair Bolden added 15 as Butler pulled off a 73-61 upset of No. 8 Villanova on Sunday.

The Bulldogs (9-13) have won two straight games for just the third time this season. Building off its strong defensive performance against Seton Hall, Butler held Villanova to 38.1 percent shooting and set the tone by limiting the Wildcats to 24 first-half points.

Bryce Golden and Bryce Nze were also in double figures for Butler.Ā 

Villanova's loss could knock Jay Wright's team off the No. 2 seed for the time being. ESPN's Joe Lunardi has had the Wildcats slotted for a No. 2 seed for weeks, but they may wind up dropping after losing two of their last four games.

The margin is thinner than ever in a shortened season, and Villanova laid an egg against a Butler team that will finish under .500 for the first time since 2012-13 barring a deep run in the Big East tournament.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Justin Moore and Collin Gillespie were in double figures for Villanova, which boasts a 10-3 conference record with two regular-season games remaining.

Wednesday's matchup against Creighton will essentially decide the regular-season Big East champion and give the Wildcats a chance to right themselves after a 16-point loss to the Bluejays earlier this month.

For now, Wright and Co. will have to go back to the drawing board and figure out a way to get back into the Top 10 after they likely fall out in Monday's rankings update.

Butler closes its regular season Saturday against Creighton.Ā 

Villanova HC Jay Wright Tests Positive for COVID-19; Game vs. Xavier Postponed

Dec 27, 2020
Villanova coach Jay Wright talks with the team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Boston College, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Villanova coach Jay Wright talks with the team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Boston College, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Villanova is pausing its basketball activities following an outbreak of COVID-19 within the program, the team announced Sunday.

Head coach Jay Wright is among those confirmed to have tested positive for the coronavirus and addressed the situation:

"Our players have been very diligent and disciplined with all of the COVID protocols. Unfortunately, we have had two staff members test positive. I am one of them. My symptoms are mild, and we remain connected as a team and staff by phone and Zoom. I am grateful to our team physician, Dr. Mike Duncan, who has worked tirelessly to help guide us safely through this."

The Big East has postponed the No. 5 Wildcats' January 2 matchup with No. 22 Xavier. No makeup date has been announced.Ā Ā 

It's the second consecutive game Villanova has postponed after both the Wildcats and St. John's agreed to push back their conference meeting scheduled for December 30.

"We just thought our players needed a break," Wright said of the St. John's game. "Their well-being is our top priority. We appreciate that St. John's is in agreement with us on this in wanting the same for their players."Ā 

Nova has now had five games postponed this season.Ā The length of the program's layoff is to be determined as well.Ā 

The Wildcats last played December 23 in an 85-68 victory over Marquette to extend their winning streak to six games. Villanova remains atop the Big East standings with a half-game lead over No. 13 Creighton and Seton Hall.Ā 

If there are no further cancellations, the program could return for a January 5 contest against DePaulā€”which was previously postponed December 14.

Villanova's Jay Wright Says CBB Season Is 'Up in the Air' Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Jun 9, 2020
Villanova head coach Jay Wright gestures during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgetown, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Washington. Villanova won 70-69. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Villanova head coach Jay Wright gestures during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgetown, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Washington. Villanova won 70-69. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The 2019-20 men's and women's college basketball seasons were canceled March 12 prior to most conference tournaments, as well as both NCAA tournaments, because of public health and safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Villanova men's head coach Jay Wright wouldn't be surprised if those concerns impact the 2020-21 campaign.

"I can't see, right now, having fans [this upcoming season]," Wright told reporters Tuesday. "College basketball is up in the air."

The 58-year-old continued:

Wright's Wildcats were 24-7 and tied with Creighton and Seton Hall atop the Big East when the season was canceled.

Duke men's head coach Mike Krzyzewski commented on the fate of next season in early May on the 94WIP morning show.

"I think college will try to learn from what the professional sports do," Coach K said. "You gotta just be really careful, but again you have to bring things back too. We're gonna watch what the NBA does especially, and I'm sure college football is going to watch what the NFL does."

The NBA approved a 22-team return-to-play plan last week. The league will host the remainder of the season at the ESPNĀ Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida, beginning July 31.

The NCAA Division I CouncilĀ announcedĀ May 20 that basketball student-athletes would be allowed to participate in on-campus voluntary workouts starting June 1 as long as the programs weren't violating any state or federal laws.

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