The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics

Good Morning, Nova Nation. Our ‘Cats are in ELITE company!

What all do we have in today’s edition? Check it out below!

🏀 Ready To Dance
⚾️ All Jacked Up
🖥️ National Spotlight
🔷 And much more!

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap is proud to be an Official Partner of Villanova Athletics!

🔼 Ready To Dance. After winning 24 regular season games and finishing near the top of the BIG EAST standings, the Villanova men's basketball team is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years.

Friday afternoon, the ‘Cats will square off with the #9 Utah State on Friday afternoon in San Diego. Tip time is set for 1:30 pm EST.

Villanova has a record of 71-39 (.645) all-time in the NCAA Tournament and has historically been one of the tournament's top-performing teams with seven Final Four appearances and three national championships. The 71 tournament wins by the Wildcats ranks in the top 10 of all teams since the tournament was first held in 1939.

🎥 Coach Willard Talks On Selection Sunday
🎥 Duke Brennan
🎥 Tyler Perkins

🔼 Lace ‘Em Up. The Villanova women’s basketball team is lacin’ up their dancing shoes and headed down south as the 10th-seeded Wildcats are set to battle seventh-seeded Texas Tech on Friday night at LSU.

The ‘Cats are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2023 and the 14th overall appearance in program history.

Friday's first round game will be the first-ever meeting between Villanova and Texas Tech. The Lady Raiders have an identical record to the Wildcats this season at 25-7 and they compiled a 12-6 record in the Big 12 regular season standings.

Tip time is set for 8:30 pm EST.

🎥 Coach Dillon Talks On Selection Sunday
🎥 Kennedy Henry & Brynn McCurry

On Friday, the Villanova women’s hoops squad will be looking to pick up the program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2023.

Who did the ‘Cats defeat in their last NCAA Tourney win?

Got a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to see if you know your stuff!

🔼 All Jacked Up. After recording a season-high seven strikeouts and the longest outing by a Wildcat all season, veteran right-hander Jack Kelley was named the BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week.

The Temecula, California native is the first Villanova pitcher to earn BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honors this season.

Kelley delivered six shutout innings while allowing just two hits in Villanova's 5-0 victory over Charleston Southern. Kelley struck out a season-high seven batters and issued only two walks to earn the win and help the Wildcats clinch the series.

🔼 National Spotlight. It may be the springtime, but Villanova volleyball is coming to a TV near you as the Wildcats' April matchup at Penn State will be streamed on B1G Network.

The 'Cats and Nittany Lions will be featured on national TV on April 11 with the contest beginning at 4:00 p.m. from Rec Hall.

It's been over 10 years since the two teams have met in regular season action, with the Nittany Lions winning the most recent contest on August 29, 2015.

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.

Wednesday, March 18th
🖼️ Brandywine Museum of Art: John Sloan’s Street Theater
🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. Saint Joseph’s @ 10am
🥎 Softball vs. Saint Joseph’s @ 3:30pm

Thursday, March 19th
⛳️ Fore! The Planet Indoor Mini Golf at Linvilla Orchards

Friday, March 20th
🎶 Live Music at WaR3house 3
⚾️ Baseball vs. UNC Asheville @ 3:35pm
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Utah State @ 4:10pm l TNT
(NCAA Tournament First Round - San Diego, Calif.)
🥎 Softball at Creighton @ 6pm
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. Texas Tech @ 8:30pm l ESPNU
(NCAA Tournament First Round - Baton Rogue, La.)

Saturday, March 21st
🎣 Expert Fishing Derby at Linvilla Orchards
🤽 Women’s Water Polo at Marist @ 9am
🥍 Women’s Lacrosse vs. Xavier @ 12pm
⚾️ Baseball vs. UNC Asheville @ 2pm
🎾 Men’s Tennis vs. Marquette @ 2pm
🥎 Softball at Creighton @ 3pm
👟 Track & Field at Penn Challenge (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Sunday, March 22nd
🍴 Media Restaurant Week
🤽 Women’s Water Polo vs. VMI @ 9am (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)
⚾️ Baseball vs. UNC Asheville @ 1pm
🥎 Softball at Creighton @ 1pm
🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. St. John’s @ 6:30pm

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Answer: Florida Gulf Coast (W, 76-57 on March 20, 2023)

Have a great one, Nova Nation!