Villanova Wildcats men's basketball
Gonzaga's Drew Timme, second from left, and Corey Kispert shake hands in the closing moments of Gonzaga's 76-58 win over Pacific in an NCAA college basketball game in Stockton, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
New bloods Gonzaga, Villanova still thriving amid pandemic

By John Marshall Feb. 14, 2021 03:45 PM EST

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)
No. 3 Villanova gets back on the floor after COVID-19 pauses

By Dave Skretta Jan. 19, 2021 02:43 AM EST

Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing shouts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Butler, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Indianapolis. Butler won 63-55. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Latest: South Carolina coach Martin to miss game at LSU

By The Associated Press Jan. 14, 2021 11:37 AM EST

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

Villanova head coach Jay Wright reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Saint Joseph's, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The Latest: 'Nova pauses hoops, coach Wright tests positive

By The Associated Press Dec. 27, 2020 05:18 PM EST

Villanova's Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) tries to get a shot past Saint Joseph's Taylor Funk (33) 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's Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) and Butler's Bryce Nze (10) leap for the tip-off to start an NCAA college basketball game, 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

Spectators wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus watch the Champions League group F soccer match between Zenit St.Petersburg and Borussia Dortmund at the Saint Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
The Latest: Villanova-Virginia matchup at MSG canceled

By The Associated Press Dec. 16, 2020 06:54 AM EST

Gonzaga's Drew Timme goes to the basket during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against West Virginia, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Gonzaga and Baylor to face off in rare top-2 meeting

By John Marshall Dec. 03, 2020 02:23 AM EST

Villanova coach Jay Wright talks to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Hartford, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Nova's Wright says bubble stay takes mental toll on players

By Pat Eaton-Robb Dec. 02, 2020 02:24 AM EST

Cardboard cutouts fill the stands behind during an NCAA college basketball game between St. Francis and Virginia, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 in Charlottesville, Va. (Andrew Shurleff/The Daily Progress via AP)
College hoops back at MSG with Villanova-Virginia on Dec. 19

By Mike Fitzpatrick Dec. 02, 2020 02:07 AM EST

Virginia Tech's Nahiem Alleyne (4) shoots as Villanova's Caleb Daniels (14) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Virginia Tech upsets No. 3 Villanova 81-73 in overtime

By Pat Eaton-Robb Nov. 28, 2020 11:24 PM EST

FILE - Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury removes his mask to yell before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in Seattle. The New England Patriots host the Cardinals on Sunday Nov. 29. With a win, Arizona can also add yet another blow to the New England’s fading playoff hopes. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Latest: No. 3 Ohio State cancels game at Illinois

By The Associated Press Nov. 27, 2020 10:36 AM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2020 file photo, Villanova head coach Jay Wright calls out to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John's in New York. The Villanova Wildcats are again the favorite to win the Big East and are No. 3 in The Associated Press' preseason 2020-21 college basketball poll. Wright’s Wildcats received 11 first-place votes in the AP poll. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
No. 3 Villanova back again as team to beat in Big East

By Dan Gelston Nov. 13, 2020 12:00 PM EST

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)
Villanova the Big East pick as league warily watches virus

By Doug Feinberg Oct. 28, 2020 12:32 PM EDT

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