DAN GELSTON
Villanova's Caleb Daniels (14) is defended by North Texas' JJ Murray (11) during the second half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Underdog 'Cats? Pick against Villanova at your own peril

By Dan Gelston Mar. 24, 2021 04:24 PM EDT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The odds are against Villanova making a run to the Elite

FILE - Iona head coach Rick Pitino celebrates after Iona won an NCAA college basketball game against Fairfield during the finals of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament in Atlantic City, N.J., in this Saturday, March 13, 2021, file photo.Rick Pitino survived sex scandals and FBI investigations , won national championships , and when his coaching options seemingly dried up , he left for Greece. Somehow , the winding road of his career took him to Iona - and back in the NCAA Tournament. The last stop - he swears it’s true - of his career. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Pitino rises from ashes of scandal for rebirth at Iona

By Dan Gelston Mar. 18, 2021 06:11 PM EDT
Rick Pitino pioneered use of the 3-point shot in college, and he used the first

Hartford’s Austin Williams (20) and head coach John Gallagher embrace after beating UMass-Lowell in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the America East conference tournament, Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Hartford, Conn. (Kassi Jackson/Hartford Courant via AP)
Droughts over: Drexel, Rutgers lead charge back to NCAAs

By Dan Gelston Mar. 16, 2021 03:35 PM EDT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The last time Drexel basketball made more than local

Iona head coach Rick Pitino, from left, Isaiah Ross and Dylan van Eyck pose with the trophy after winning an NCAA college basketball game against Fairfield during the finals of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament, Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Atlantic City, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pitino back in the NCAA Tournament with MAAC champs Iona

By Dan Gelston Mar. 13, 2021 07:52 PM EST
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Rick Pitino ended an Iona team photo, a championship

Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (2) moves around Creighton guard Marcus Zegarowski (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Villanova wins Big East title; McDermott coaches under fire

By Dan Gelston Mar. 03, 2021 10:48 PM EST
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Creighton coach Greg McDermott said he made an “awful

Villanova's Brandon Slater, left, goes up for a dunk past St. John's Julian Champagnie during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Gillespie, Daniels lead No. 8 Villanova past St John's 81-58

By Dan Gelston Feb. 23, 2021 10:36 PM EST
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Caleb Daniels scored 17 points, and Collin Gillespie and

FILE - Temple head coach John Chaney reacts to a foul call in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke in Durham, N.C., in this Jan. 8, 2005, file photo. John Chaney, one of the nation’s leading Black coaches and a commanding figure during a Hall of Fame basketball career at Temple, has died. He was 89. His death was announced by the university Friday, Jan. 29, 2021.(AP Photo/Sara D. Davis, File)
John Chaney, commanding Temple basketball coach, dies at 89

By Dan Gelston Jan. 29, 2021 03:21 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — John Chaney’s raspy, booming voice drowned out the gym when

Seton Hall guard Shavar Reynolds (33) is fouled by Villanova forward Brandon Slater (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
No. 3 Villanova edges Seton Hall in return from 27-day break

By Dan Gelston Jan. 20, 2021 12:12 AM EST
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Stuck in medical isolation, Villanova filled its schedule

FILE - Villanova head coach Jay Wright gestures during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgetown in Washington, in this Saturday, March 7, 2020, file photo. Villanova coach Jay Wright was set to return to practice Tuesday following his bout with COVID-19. Those plans are on hold after two players tested positive Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, and the Wildcats were forced to postpone their next three games. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Villanova forced to postpone 3 games after positive tests

By Dan Gelston Jan. 04, 2021 02:03 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jay Wright’s plan to resume coaching No. 3 Villanova

Villanova's Collin Gillespie, right, steal the ball away from Saint Joseph's Jack Forrest during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Mask Up! Robinson-Earl shines with broken nose for Villanova

By Dan Gelston Dec. 19, 2020 11:26 PM EST
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Jeremiah Robinson-Earl got a fitting reminder from mom to

Event worker Toby Miller stands outside the Finneran Pavilion during a winter storm before an NCAA college basketball game between Villanova and Butler, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Villanova coach Wright gets 600th win in victory over Butler

By Dan Gelston Dec. 16, 2020 09:35 PM EST
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Jay Wright flashed the “V” toward empty bleachers and

FILE - Villanova head coach Jay Wright and forward Jermaine Samuels (23) celebrate from the bench in the last seconds of an NCAA college basketball game against Providence in Providence, R.I., in this Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, file photo. Villanova won, 64-60. Villanova will begin the college basketball season at No. 3 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll released Monday, Nov. 9, 2020.(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
No. 3 Villanova back again as team to beat in Big East

By Dan Gelston Nov. 13, 2020 12:00 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jay Wright apologized for running late for an interview

FILE - In this March 7, 2020, file photo, Villanova head coach Jay Wright gestures during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgetown in Washington. Two-time Villanova national champion coach Jay Wright says it's "50-50" the sport -- which took one of the first major hits in the coronavirus pandemic era with the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament - can make it through this season intact. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Wright leads Villanova through COVID-19, early injuries

By Dan Gelston Oct. 21, 2020 05:55 PM EDT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An avid sports fan, Villanova coach Jay Wright watched with

Providence head coach Ed Cooley shouts from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Philadelphia, Pa. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Providence knocks off No. 12 Villanova 58-54

By Dan Gelston Feb. 29, 2020 02:26 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ed Cooley opened the door to the Providence locker room and

Villanova head coach Jay Wright yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John's, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
No. 12 Villanova beats St. John's 71-60 on night for Lowry

By Dan Gelston Feb. 26, 2020 08:35 PM EST
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Kyle Lowry was as headstrong as any Villanova star to

Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (2) takes a shot past Butler forward Jordan Tucker (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
No. 9 Villanova rolls to 76-61 victory against no. 13 Butler

By Dan Gelston Jan. 21, 2020 09:16 PM EST
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Saddiq Bey hit four 3-pointers and scored 14 points and

Villanova's Jermaine Samuels reacts to his basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Connecticut, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. Villanova won 61-55. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
No. 14 Villanova rallies behind Samuels to beat UConn 61-55

By Dan Gelston Jan. 18, 2020 02:25 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The "UConn! UConn! UConn!" shouts grew louder as Villanova

DePaul's Jaylen Butz, left, tries to drive past Villanova's Saddiq Bey during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
No. 14 Villanova survives scare, beats DePaul 79-75 in OT

By Dan Gelston Jan. 14, 2020 11:38 PM EST
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Headed into overtime after blowing a big lead in

Georgetown's Terrell Allen, left, goes up for a shot against Villanova's Jermaine Samuels during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Bey scores 33, leads No. 16 Villanova past Georgetown 80-66

By Dan Gelston Jan. 11, 2020 02:15 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saddiq Bey hit eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 33

Penn State head coach Patrick Chambers directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
No. 21 Penn State topples No. 23 Iowa 89-86 in Philly

By Dan Gelston Jan. 04, 2020 06:15 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Lamar Stevens punctuated a late bucket that assured Penn