Temple advances to AAC conference quarterfinals; 'Nova bounced from Big East Tournament
11th-seeded Temple basketball earned a berth in the American Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinals.
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11th-seeded Temple basketball earned a berth in the American Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinals.
The Big East, with six NCAA Tournament teams, including Villanova and Xavier as #1 seeds, has reestablished itself as an elite conference.
The Big East Tournament may seem like Villanova's for the taking, but Butler and others will challenge them come tipoff Wednesday.
Kris Jenkins scored 21 points and No. 3 Villanova smothered Providence stars Ben Bentil and Kris Dunn on defense, advancing to the Big East championship game with a 76-68 victory Friday night at Madison Square Garden.
When the conference fell apart two years ago, the strength of the Big East conference was in serious doubt. Two years later, the conference has six representatives in the NCAA Tournament.
Villanova beat Xavier 69-52 to win the Big East Tournament title on Saturday.
Villanova defeated Providence 63-61 to advance in the Big East Tournament.
The Wildcats took down Marquette in the Big East Tournament on Thursday.
Villanova will enter the Big East Tourney with the top seed.
Darrun Hilliard led #6 Villanova over Seton Hall with 18 points.
#7 Villanova defeated Georgetown on Saturday for their fourth straight win.
The loss to Georgetown dropped Villanova's record to 17-2 on the season.
#6 Villanova fell to 13-1 after losing 66-61 against Seton Hall in overtime.
Both Villanova and St. Joe's had their names called in the 68-team field on Sunday Selection. And both are in the Eastern Regional.
Sterling Gibbs hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer and Seton Hall stunned No. 3 Villanova 64-63 in a thrilling Big East quarterfinal Thursday, a loss that could cost the Wildcats a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Villanova had won six straight since its loss to the Bluejays last month. The Wildcats never led after the first minute.
Ryan Arcidiacono coolly guided No. 4 Villanova to a 94-85 overtime victory over Marquette on Saturday.
The Wildcats made a whopping 19 of 26 shots in the second half as they continue to steamroll through the revamped conference.
JayVaughn Pinkston scored 19 points to lead Villanova in a 91-61 romp over Providence on Sunday night.
Freshman Josh Hart came off the bench to score 19 points and No. 8 Villanova stayed perfect with an 88-67 rout of Rider on Saturday.
The conference announced the decision Wednesday after university presidents approved the new moniker earlier in the day.
Villanova coach Jay Wright says he was doubting himself during the team's early season struggles.
It's a rarity at this level, in any sport, for a head coach to have had no playing experience in college. It hasn't prevented Williams from guiding Marquette to the Sweet 16 the last two seasons and a 60-30 regular season record in the Big East.
The death of the Big East as we know it hit home last week as 14 teams arrived at the World's Most Famous Arena (Connecticut was ineligible). Next season, the "Catholic 7" will be reportedly joined by Butler, Creighton, and Xavier in a basketball-only conference that has paid to keep the Big East name.
Yesterday was a relatively drama-free Selection Sunday. Joe Lunardi was a perfect 68 for 68, as Middle Tennessee State, St. Mary's, Boise State, and La Salle claimed the final spots in the field. Louisville, Gonzaga, Kansas, and Indiana earned the top seeds.
