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Patrick Zeng USA Today  Even after the 15 point win on Friday night, the Wildcats poor shooting was a reason for concern. That was not the case on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Villanova shot 58% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc on their way to 117 points, a Wells Fargo Center record for the Cats. Mikal Bridges showed why he is projected as a first round NBA talent with a career high 23 points while lighting it up from three. Bridges also pitched in 6 rebounds and 4 blocks as he also made sure his presence was felt on the defensive end. Jalen Brunson also had a fantastic game with 17 points of his own while shooting 78%. His efficiency and poise used in running this offense cannot be understated. Eric Paschall and Omari Spellman's athleticism were both on full display throughout the game with the two combining for some high flying dunks of their own. Paschall again was able to have his way inside using his strength to shrug off any defenders the Colonels ...

Patrick Zeng NBC Sports The day we've all been waiting for is finally here. Villanova basketball is back. The Wildcats returned to action with a 75-60 victory over the Columbia Lions of the Ivy League on Friday night. Villanova played their first of twelve games at the Wells Fargo Center, their home for the season until the Finneran Pavilion is completed on campus. And just like the student turnout, the play from the Wildcats did not disappoint. This is a different Villanova team. Gone are the familiar faces of Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins and Darryl Reynolds, but the new additions should be more than enough to replace those three icons. Jay Wright likes to play small ball, often using four guards on the court at the same time. But this Nova team allows a different style of play and it was fun to watch. Wright set the tone with a starting five that included Mikal Bridges, Eric Paschall and Omari Spellman. The Dobbs Ferry, New York product in Paschall thrived in his expand...

Austin Krell As you look up and down the roster of this year's Villanova Wildcats, there is one GLARING issue, or so it would appear to the uneducated eye. This team has no seniors to lead the way back to the NCAA tournament and fight for a second national championship in three years. The Cats were pretty good two years ago. But, they really  started to click late in the season, and they took off from there. An upset loss to the Seton Hall Pirates in the Big East tournament championship made the Wildcats hungry. The loss arguably fueled them to one of the most efficient-scoring, defensively-effective tournament runs in the history of the tournament. They absolutely blew out four of their five opponents on their way to the NCAA championship game. The defensive intensity and sustained efficient offense all culminated in, as we will never forget, the greatest shot in NCAA tournament history -- Kris Jenkins' game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to win the national championshi...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 SI Jalen Brunson said it best in his tweet that today "heaven gained a legend". This afternoon at age 82, coach Massimino passed away after a long standing battle with lung cancer. His legacy, especially at Villanova cannot be understated. Without coach Mass, Villanova basketball would not be as we know it today. In 1973, when Rollie Massimino was hired, he started to lay the groundwork for what would be one of the greatest upsets to ever occur 12 years later. It only took two years of building for Massimino to turn the program around from the 11-14 season it had suffered the year before Massimino's arrival to a point where the Wildcats ripped off 11 consecutive winning seasons. Coach Mass helped establish Villanova for what it is now. He was famous for having his players over for Italian family dinners to create a bond and togetherness that is now so often referenced as a part of Villanovan culture. He was a star member of th...

Patrick Zeng @Roundtripper891 Fast Philly Sports Booth is back! Jon Rothstein( @JonRothstein ) has reported that Villanova guard Phil Booth has finally been cleared to resume basketball activity. Booth only played three games his junior season due to lingering knee pain that had him shut down for the season. His last game came on November 17th against Western Michigan. Booth only took part in 72 minutes this past season averaging 5.7 points, 2 assist and 1.6 rebounds. Booth's return should be seen as great news as he adds experience and a solid skill set to the current crop of Nova guards. Booth will join Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo as well as newcomer Collin Gillespie in the backcourt for the 2017/2018 season.  Phil was a starter at the beginning of this season so it will be interesting to see where he fits in after the rise of DiVincenzo. Jay Wright may be inclined to form a veteran backcourt of Booth with Brunson as the starters to keep Donte in the role he excelled...