Phil Booth
FILE - In this April 2, 2012, file photo, Kentucky players celebrate at the end of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball championship game against Kansas, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Kentucky's 2012 college hoops team voted best of decade

By John Marshall Jan. 01, 2020 02:38 PM EST
The decade of college basketball started with Duke outlasting Butler in an epic

Villanova head coach Jay Wright confers with guard Justin Moore (5) during the second half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic NCAA college basketball game against Delaware, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Samuels, No. 20 Villanova hold off Delaware 78-70

By Tom Canavan Dec. 14, 2019 04:39 PM EST
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Playing with a young team, Villanova coach Jay Wright has

Virginia players celebrate after the championship game against Texas Tech in the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. Virginia won 85-77 in overtime. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Way-too-early poll for the 2019-20 college hoops season

By John Marshall Apr. 09, 2019 10:10 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Virginia pulled off one of the great redemption stories in NCAA

Purdue's Carsen Edwards (3) reacts during the first half of a second-round men's college basketball game against Villanova in the NCAA tournament, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Edwards leads Purdue to rout of reigning champ Villanova

By Pat Eaton-Robb Mar. 23, 2019 10:53 PM EDT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Purdue's Carsen Edwards says he was getting tired of answering

Purdue's Carsen Edwards, left, and Villanova's Phil Booth dive for a loose ball during the first half of a second round men's college basketball game in the NCAA tournament, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Ohio State Buckeyes at Houston Cougars 3/24/2019

Mar. 23, 2019 09:16 PM EDT

Kentucky's Tyler Herro, left, looks to pass as he is guarded by Wofford's Fletcher Magee (3) during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NCAA Latest: Auburn trounces Kansas to reach Sweet 16

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2019 12:19 PM EDT
The Latest on the second round of the NCAA Tournament (all times Eastern):

Purdue's head coach Matt Painter smiles during a news conference at the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Friday, March 22, 2019, in Hartford, Conn. Purdue will play Villanova on Saturday. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
South Region: In 'rebuilding' years, Purdue, 'Nova excel

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 22, 2019 08:49 PM EDT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Villanova lost four players off last season's NCAA

Villanova's Jermaine Samuels (23) screams after his dunk against St. Mary's Tommy Kuhse (12) and Malik Fitts (24) during the second half of a first round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Defending NCAA champ Villanova holds off Saint Mary's

By Pat Eaton-Robb Mar. 21, 2019 10:07 PM EDT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Villanova got off to a slow start in defense of its NCAA

Florida's Andrew Nembhard, right, is defended by Nevada's Cody Martin (11) during the second half of a first round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, March 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Villanova Wildcats at West Virginia Mountaineers 3/24/2019

Mar. 21, 2019 09:21 PM EDT

Baylor guard Makai Mason, left, and guard Jared Butler (12) celebrate the team's win against Syracuse in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger)
NCAA Latest: Day 1 of tournament in the books

By The Associated Press Mar. 21, 2019 12:14 PM EDT
The Latest on the first round of the NCAA Tournament (all times Eastern):

Michigan head coach John Beilein watches his team during practice at the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa. Michigan plays Montana on Thursday. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
NCAA Tournament: Let the games begin - in earnest

By Dave Skretta Mar. 21, 2019 03:04 AM EDT
Reigning national champion Villanova will be in action along with Michigan, the

Xavier guard Quentin Goodin (3) reacts to a teammate's 3-point basket during the second half of a first-round NIT college basketball game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
TCU Bracket - First Round - Game 2 (win) at TCU Bracket - First Round - Game 1 (win) 3/22/2019

Mar. 20, 2019 09:28 PM EDT

Seton Hall guard Myles Cale (22) and Villanova guard Phil Booth (5) compete for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in New York. Villanova won 74-72. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Defending champ Villanova enters NCAAs from different angle

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 20, 2019 07:34 PM EDT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Villanova is coming into the NCAA Tournament this year from an

Isaiah Kennedy, left, of Rahway, N.J., throws confetti with Villanova cheerleaders after Villanova defeated Seton Hall 74-72 in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
'Nova edges Seton Hall 74-72 for 3rd straight Big East title

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 16, 2019 09:12 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Phil Booth entered the New York Knicks' locker room — only the best

Xavier head coach Travis Steele talks to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball semifinal game against Villanova in the Big East men's tournament, Friday, March 15, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Seton Hall Pirates at Villanova Wildcats 3/16/2019

Mar. 15, 2019 09:51 PM EDT

Villanova guard Collin Gillespie shoots against Xavier during the first half of an NCAA college basketball semifinal game in the Big East men's tournament, Friday, March 15, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
No. 25 Villanova rallies past Xavier in OT in Big East semis

By Mike Fitzpatrick Mar. 15, 2019 09:35 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Even when Villanova looks vulnerable, it's awfully difficult to put

Providence head coach Ed Cooley calls out to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova at the Big East Conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Paschall sends No. 25 Nova past Friars 73-62 in Big East

By Tom Canavan Mar. 14, 2019 02:38 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — With its chances of a third straight Big East Conference Tournament

Providence's Alpha Diallo, left, protects the ball from Villanova's Phil Booth and Eric Paschall, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big East conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Providence Friars at Villanova Wildcats 3/14/2019

Mar. 14, 2019 01:06 PM EDT

Villanova forward Eric Paschall (4) reacts as he looks at the score in the waning minutes of the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Seton Hall, Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Newark, N.J. Seton Hall defeated Villanova 79-75. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The champs are here: Villanova wants to reign again in NYC

By Dan Gelston Mar. 13, 2019 03:13 AM EDT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Villanova pulled into campus following a 100-mile ride from New

Seton Hall guard Myles Cale (22) and Seton Hall forward Michael Nzei (1) block Villanova forward Eric Paschall (4) as Paschall goes toward the basket during the first half an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Newark, NJ. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Seton Hall stuns No. 23 Villanova. Nova still win Big Eeat

By Tom Canavan Mar. 09, 2019 02:52 PM EST
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A couple of stunning wins may have put Seton Hall back in the