The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics
Good Morning, Nova Nation. No better way to get ready for Sunday’s Eternal City Tip-Off than spending some time with our own Italian newcomer!
What all do we have in today’s edition? Check it out below!
🏀 Backcourt Beasts
⚽️ Drawing Even
🏑 Doublin’ Up
🔷 And much more!
🔵 SUPPORTING THE ‘CATS
Tommy’s Tavern + Tap is proud to be an Official Partner of Villanova Athletics!
🔼 Backcourt Beasts. Two veteran backcourt standouts were honored this week for both Villanova basketball programs.
On the men’s side, Tyler Perkins was named to the 20-player watch list for the 2027 Jerry West Award, which recognizes the nation’s best shooting guards, while Jasmine Bascoe was named to the 20-player preseason watch list for the prestigious Nancy Lieberman Award, presented annually to the nation's top point guard.
🔼 Off And Rolling. Another NBA season is underway and plenty of former ‘Cats are off to strong starts to the 2026-27 campaign, led by Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Saddiq Bey.
Brunson has paced the former Wildcats in scoring, averaging 22.7 points through three games for the New York Knicks, including a 28-point performance against the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Hart has continued to make his presence felt across the stat sheet, averaging 12.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists, highlighted by a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds against the Boston Celtics.
Meanwhile, Bey has provided an offensive spark for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 15.7 points through three contests, including a 20-point outing against the Utah Jazz.
This month’s Arkema Scholar-Athlete of the Month will be Vibhav Alokam from Men’s Golf.
The junior golfer majoring in finance was strong in October, pacing the Wildcats in both of the team’s events in the month. He tied for fifth in the SHU Fall Classic at a four-over 220. The Ypsilanti, Michigan native went on to tie for 15that the Blue Hen Intercollegiate shooting 219 (+3) including a massive 67-shot opening round to tie for a career best.
🔼 Drawing Even. The Villanova men’s soccer team grabbed an early two-goal lead and held on during a second-half push by Saint Joseph’s to earn a 2-2 draw in a Philly Soccer Six matchup on Tuesday night.
The ‘Cats dominated much of the first half, but the Hawks turned it on in the second half to tie things up. A 90th minute bid by Brody Crampton to net the game-winner sailed a touch wide of frame.
Karson Vazquez and Marcello Mazzola both found the back of the net for Villanova.
Junior goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev made five more saves in Tuesday’s matchup with Saint Joseph’s, including two critical saves in the final 15 minutes to preserve the tie.
How many saves does Yagudayev have so far this season?
Got a guess?
Scroll to the bottom to see if you know your stuff!
🔼 Doublin’ Up. Villanova field hockey earned two BIG EAST weekly awards after beating Providence and Wagner this weekend. Forward Colleen Finnan and goalkeeper Maddi Sears were both selected to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.
The two nominations move the 'Cats to 13 total Weekly BIG EAST Awards this season. Additionally, the pair of seniors marks the 23rd pair of Wildcats to be selected to the Weekly Honor Roll in the same week.
For Finnan, the award selection marks the fourth straight week being named to the Weekly Honor Roll as well as the sixth nomination of her career. With the selection, she becomes the sixth player in program history to be named to the Weekly Honor Roll four times in the same season. The most recent player to do so was Maddi Sears in 2024.
What’s Ahead is brought to you by our friends at Visit Delco, the #1 source for information on all there is to see and do in Delaware County, PA. Find fantastic places to stay, incredible food and drink, and music and art—and you may even find a few surprises
*All times listed in ET
Wednesday, October 28th
🖼️ Main Line Art Center: 23rd Annual Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition
⚽️ Women’s Soccer vs. DePaul @ 3 pm
Thursday, October 29th
🏚️ Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride
⛳️ Men’s Golf at Big 5 Championship
Friday, October 30th
🍷 Penns Woods Winery: Live Music on the Lawn
👟 Cross Country at BIG EAST Championships @ 10 am (Mechanicsville, Va.)
🏑 Field Hockey vs. Liberty @ 12 pm
🏐 Volleyball at UConn @ 6 pm
Saturday, October 31st
🧟 The Mill at Rockdale: The Rocky Horror Picture Party
🏈 Football at Lafayette @ 12:30 pm
⚽️ Men’s Soccer vs. Akron @ 1 pm
⚽️ Women’s Soccer at Marquette @ 2 pm
🏐 Volleyball at Providence @ 3 pm
Sunday, November 1st
🍓 Media Farmers Market
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Notre Dame @ 9:30 am (Eternal City Tip-Off - Rome, Italy)
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. Notre Dame @ 12 pm (Eternal City Tip-Off - Rome, Italy)
🚣 Rowing at Princeton Chase
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Answer: 108
Have a great one, Nova Nation!
