The Villanova Wildcats' season came to an end in the Sweet 16. They gave the top-seeded Baylor Bears a hard fight for most of the game, until a game-changing run by the Bears ended up sealing the 'Cats fate. It's a bittersweet end. On one hand, Villanova got to reach the Sweet 16 -- reaching further than most thought it would -- on the other, the Wildcats were toe-to-toe with the No. 1 seed for a majority of the game. Regardless, it was great to have college basketball back and the NCAA Tournament, after not having it last season. We look back at the year and thank all the listeners for riding with us through the 2020-21 college basketball season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

VU Hoops: for Villanova Wildcats fans

State of the Nova Nation: Season 6 Finale, Bittersweet 16, March Madness

The Villanova Wildcats are Sweet 16 bound! We recap the wild weekend in the NCAA Tournament, with Villanova beating Winthrop and North Texas, and a few of the other notable upsets and shockers in other areas of the bracket. We're also joined by DraftKings Head of Sportsbook Johnny Avello to discuss Villanova's odds to win it all in the NCAA Tournament and moving forward into this weekend's big matchup with No. 1 seed Baylor and beyond. He also shares some insight on how empty arenas and neutral sites play into oddsmaking. It's reasonable to say, if Villanova can upset Baylor, not only will it be one of Jay Wright's best coaching jobs of all time, but also there's a favorable path to the Final Four. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Sweet 16-bound, Odds and Ends, March Madness

We take a look at the Villanova Wildcats first weekend path in the NCAA Tournament, starting off with the Winthrop Eagles. Hear Jay Wright's thoughts on Winthrop and who they remind him of. The winner gets to take on the massive Purdue Boilermakers frontcourt or the well-dressed North Texas Mean Green. After previewing potential opponents, we discuss why it's time to allow the NCAA to give athletes' rights to their own name, image, and likeness. Regardless of what happens, the NCAA Tournament is back! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Wildcats prep for Winthrop, #NotNCAAProperty, and 2021 Tournament Talk

It was a tough time at the Big East Tournament for the Villanova Wildcats, who were bounced out of the quarterfinals by rival and eventual champion Georgetown. While it was a rough loss, the positive is that the season is not over yet and there's a chance to make one last stand in the NCAA Tournament. The even bigger takeaway was Justin Moore's surprise return. Jay Wright gives a little perspective on that day and his status for the NCAA Tournament. For the first time since 2019, March Madness is back, which is a definite plus. The Wildcats are a 5-seed and will begin against 12th-seeded Winthrop. Brackets are finalized and the countdown to the first games tipping off on Friday is on! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Shaking off the Big East Tournament, Justin Moore update, and March Madness is Back!

The Villanova Wildcats already had the Big East regular season title in the bag, as well as the No. 1 seed in the 2021 Big East Tournament, so Saturday's game was more of a test run to see how the 'Cats would do post-Collin Gillespie injury. Things went from bad to worse, as Justin Moore went down with an ankle injury, and he is now listed as doubtful for this week's tournament. However, the 'Cats rumbled back from a big halftime deficit, and had a chance to steal a win at the end. We look at the good, the bad, and the Chris Arcidiacono surprise. The Big East also announced its all-conference teams, and some individual awards. We give our predictions and picks for Wednesday's major awards, and then breakdown the Big East Tournament. Given Villanova's injuries, Creighton's offseason drama, this might be the most wide open Big East Tournament since realignment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Another Man Down, Postseason Accolades, and 2021 Big East Tournament Preview

The Villanova Wildcats got their revenge win over the Creighton Bluejays on Wednesday night. It was a Senior Night victory, one that secured the No. 1 seed at the Big East Tournament and another regular season conference title, but it came at a steep price. Senior point guard Collin Gillespie sustained a serious knee injury and is due for a MRI on Thursday morning. After the 'Nova co-captain went down, the rest of the 'Cats stepped up in his place and pulled off the double-digit victory. We take a look back at the win over Creighton, preview the upcoming season finale with the Providence Friars, and process what the recent injury means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: The good, the bad, and the ugly -- A win over Creighton and a Gillespie injury

The Villanova Wildcats took a tough loss to the Butler Bulldogs on Sunday, falling victim to Hinkle Magic once again. It's the fourth time the 'Cats have fallen at Hinkle Fieldhouse in five years. Villanova went cold from long range, and struggled to contain a Butler team that was missing a couple of key players. Now, it'll look to regroup against Creighton and avenge an earlier loss on Senior Night. We take a look back at the weekend and a look ahead to Wednesday night, plus go through the mailbag! On the bright side, March is finally here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Hinkle House of Horrors, Creighton Rematch, and it's March!

The Villanova Wildcats enjoyed a dominant wire-to-wire win over the St. John's Red Storm. The 'Cats got a bit of revenge, making up for an earlier loss. They set the tone from opening tip and excelled on both ends of the court, and got complete contributions with deeper bench guys like Bryan Antoine and Trey Patterson making an appearance. Collin Gillespie bounced back, and it was an overall great game for the 'Cats. Now, they'll turn their attention to the Butler Bulldogs, who are down a couple players but coming off of a big win at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Shutting down the Red Storm, Hinkle Trap (?), and more!

After a defensive nightmare against Creighton, the Villanova Wildcats regrouped during their week off between games and put together their best defensive performance of the season in their win against the UConn Huskies. The shots didn't fall, but the Wildcats were able to buckle down defensively, especially in the second half, where they put the clamps on James Bouknight. Now that they're back on track with a win, they'll try to continue that winning momentum and avenge an earlier loss to the St. John's Red Storm. Will things go differently for the 'Cats on Tuesday night? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Defense, defense, defense, and a Red Storm is Brewing

The Villanova Wildcats are preparing for their first showdown with the UConn Huskies, since they first rejoined the conference. UConn's top player James Bouknight got cleared in time for Saturday's game and looked just fine in his first game back from an injury, scoring 18 points off the bench in a win over Providence. How will his return boost the Huskies? Also, according to a recent Philadelphia Inquirer article, the Wildcats don't plan on opting out of the Big East Tournament. We react to that and give a couple shoutouts to Saddiq Bey, Donte DiVincenzo, and the women's basketball team! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Countdown to UConn, 'Nova not opting out of Big East Tournament, and More!

The Villanova Wildcats dominated the Marquette Golden Eagles, but stumbled and fell to the Creighton Bluejays over the weekend. After looking like a well-oiled machine against Marquette, what went wrong against Creighton? Is this another example of a temporary February slump, or is there deeper cause for concern? With a couple of days to digest the loss and some time off before the next game against UConn on Saturday, we try to diagnose the Wildcats. It might nowhere near the time to hit the panic button, but there are a couple of worries. Also, the 'Cats fell to No. 10 in the rankings, and we dive into a crowded mailbag to top off the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A State of the State of the Nova Nation after Saturday's loss to Creighton

Jermaine Samuels went off against the Georgetown Hoyas, posting a career-high 32 points in the Villanova Wildcats' win on Sunday. The Wildcats got back on track with the win over the Hoyas and now they will turn their attention to the Marquette Golden Eagles and Creighton Bluejays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: BIG GAME JERMAINE, Marquette and Creighton Preview

The Villanova Wildcats took their first loss in Big East play on Wednesday night. They struggled with turnovers and a poor shooting night against a suffocating St. John's Red Storm defensive effort and their "40 Minutes of Hell" mentality. What went wrong? How can the Wildcats regroup? Is there reason to panic? After another round of scheduling musical chairs, the Wildcats will now play Georgetown this Sunday. (Good thing that Gonzaga game didn't work out, right?) The Hoyas are coming in fresh off of an upset of No. 15 Creighton. Can 'Nova bounce back? Also, if you need a Super Bowl rooting interest, go for Villanova alumnus Tanoh Kpassagnon and the Kansas City Chiefs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: A Suffocating Storm, First Big East loss of 2020-21, and Gearing up for Gonz--Georgetown

The Villanova Wildcats have extended their winning streak to nine games, after completing the sweep of the Seton Hall Pirates. Now, the Wildcats are gearing up for their meeting with the St. John's Red Storm, who are heating up after picking up their fourth-straight win in a close one over Marquette. We recap the Seton Hall game, preview the Johnnies, and take a quick look at Collin Gillespie, whose offensive efficiency rating is currently higher than 2016 Ryan Arcidiacono and 2018 National Player of the Year Jalen Brunson (!) We also take a deep dive into the mailbag, talking Fr. John Stack, Blue Blood Status, cereal mascots, and can 'Nova go undefeated in Big East play? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Sweeping the Pirates, Prepping for a Storm, and is 'Nova a Blue Blood?

With the game against the UConn Huskies postponed, the Villanova Wildcats turn their attention towards a rematch with the Seton Hall Pirates on Saturday. It was a close one the last time out, what's in store for Round 2? Also, Big East commissioner Val Ackerman received a contract extension through 2024. Head coach Jay Wright provides a few snippets, some insight and a glimpse into Bryan Antoine's situation, Trey Patterson's first few days on campus, and the upcoming game against Seton Hall. We also express our condolences to the basketball program and D&B Tailors for the passing of Gabriele "Gabe" D'Annunzio, Jay Wright's and the basketball team's tailor. And of course, we end the episode with mail time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of the Nova Nation: Seton Hall rematch, Bryan Antoine update, Trey Patterson preview, and more!

The official home for audio programming from VU Hoops, SB Nation's community for fans of the Villanova University basketball program.

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VU Hoops: for Villanova Wildcats fans

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