Vu Hoops: For Villanova Wildcats Fans

After enjoying a hot start to their game with the St. John's Red Storm, the Villanova Wildcats collapsed in the second half against the Johnnies, allowing their foes to get on a huge run in a matter of minutes. The collapse was worrisome, but how concerning is it moving forward? Villanova will look to avoid dropping back-to-back games on Wednesday night, when it renews its rivalry with the Georgetown Hoyas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy Valentines Day, Nova Nation! The Villanova Wildcats got back on track, rebounding with a win over the Providence Friars on Wednesday night. The final score wasn't indicative of the dogfight that it was for a majority of the game. It was another heroic showing for Wildcat seniors Eric Paschall and Phil Booth, who we also take a quick detour to evaluate their NBA prospects at this point deep in the season. We also prepare for a rematch with the volatile and unpredictable St. John's Red Storm, who have the talent to beat some great teams, but can also falter in a headscratching manner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The battle between the top two teams in the Big East did not disappoint. Although the Villanova Wildcats fell short, the pollsters moved them up one spot in the AP Poll. However, 'Nova was left off the NCAA's annual Top 16/No. 1-4 seeds progress report list. We discuss the exciting Villanova Wildcats-Marquette Golden Eagles game--from the comeback to the final possession, the good, the bad, the aftermath, and we now look ahead to Wednesday's Providence game. It was a tough loss, but don't sweat it--the 'Cats are still in first place for the Big East's regular season crown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the overtime win over the Creighton Bluejays, the Villanova Wildcats have improved to 10-0 in Big East play--the best start in program history in conference play. It was also the first time a Big East team had achieved the mark since realignment, and the first time that a Big East team had done it since 1999. It was another tough shooting performance for the 'Cats, but they were able to gut it out, force overtime, and take over. Does the recent lackluster shooting create cause for concern going into the biggest Big East game of the season? We preview Marquette, who the Wildcats were able to get an extra insurance win to protect their lead over the second place Golden Eagles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before the season began, Jay Wright selected the sophomore class to be the most important group in determining this team's success for the year. He was certainly correct. Collin Gillespie scored a career-high 30 points vs. the Georgetown Hoyas and is shooting approximately 50 percent from long range over the last six games. Jermaine Samuels grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds. Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree helped place the clamps on a scoreless Jessie Govan. The sophomores proved crucial in the Villanova Wildcats' win over their rivals, and it's a testament to how far they've come, but also how exciting it'll be as they continue to grow for the next couple of years. The victory over Georgetown was the icing on the cake for what was also a return for Jalen Brunson. Now, the Wildcats will turn their attention to the Creighton Bluejays and attempt to extend their winning ways to a 10-0 showing in Big East play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Villanova Wildcats enjoyed their most dominant win in Big East play so far, sinking the Seton Hall Pirates’ ship with a barrage of 17 made three-pointers and a 28-point margin of victory. The Wildcats never left any doubt, and the helpless Pirates lost the first leg of the regular season series at the Wells Fargo Center. Now sitting at 7-0 in Big East play, the Wildcats have a pretty good chance of becoming the first team since the 1998-99 UConn Huskies to start conference play with a 10-0 record. First, the Wildcats will have to win their next two games, and we preview the Georgetown Hoyas and prepare for a Windy City rematch with the DePaul Blue Demons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Attitude--control what you can control. After software glitches in post-production shredded Tuesday's episode, we're back with an all-new pod. We break down and recap the Villanova Wildcats' recent (and successful) trip to Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Butler Bulldogs wouldn't catch them at home this time around. Now, Villanova is 6-0 in Big East play and you've got to be glad you never hit the panic button, right? The Wildcats will hope to stay undefeated, as they prepare to host the Seton Hall Pirates on Sunday. Seton Hall has a game-changing player in Myles Powell, but what about the rest of his crew? Also, we've got a loaded mailbag to catch up on, as we discuss topics ranging from Joe Cremo to Jahvon Quinerly, Jermaine Samuels' growth, the team's upward trend as a whole, and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Villanova Wildcats are preparing for their first Big East battle at the Wells Fargo Center this season. They're taking on the Xavier Musketeers on Friday night, and this isn't the same team over the last few years. Travis Steele as at the helm, taking over for Chris Mack, and Trevon Bluiett and J.P. Macura aren't stepping foot on that court. So who's left? We also discuss the Lady 'Cats Big 5 crown. With a win over the Penn Quakers, they have swept the Big 5 and secured an outright title. Lastly, congrats to Kate Connolly for winning a pair of tickets to Villanova-Xavier! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Somehow, we made it this far. It's episode 100! (It technically is, since our 2017 wrap up and post-Wisconsin NCAA Tournament episode didn't transfer over when we switched servers. So although it'll say 99 episodes, this is actually 100!) The Villanova Wildcats are still riding high and undefeated in Big East play after venturing into Omaha and downing the Creighton Bluejays. Another solid outing from Eric Paschall and Phil Booth, with nice supporting roles from Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels. 'Nova is welcoming a new restaurant and bar, could this be a pregame spot for Pavilion games? What's up with Joe Cremo? Where'd Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree's minutes go? This and so much more, and one last call for our Villanova-Xavier ticket giveaway on Twitter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Villanova Wildcats are still in first place and undefeated in Big East play after holding off the St. John's Red Storm at the Finneran Pavilion on Tuesday. It was a hard-fought battle between the up-and-coming challenger St. John's and the defending Big East and NCAA Tournament champions. The Wildcats grinded one out, coming from behind for the win. Seniors were key, as Eric Paschall set the tone in the first half and Phil Booth took over in the second. Now, the 'Cats will prep for a trip to Omaha to take on another one of the top defenses in the Big East, the Creighton Bluejays. We preview Sunday's showdown and answer your questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back for the first episode of 2019! After a holiday hiatus, the State of the Nova Nation is back. While the podcast was on break, the Villanova Wildcats have been back on their winning ways. The Wildcats have won three-straight, beating the UConn Huskies, DePaul Blue Demons, and the Providence Friars. We're looking at the good, the bad, and things to address moving forward with this squad. The defending National and Big East Champions are currently atop the conference, but Prime Time Ponds and the St. John's Red Storm are looking to threaten the 'Cats. It's the top scoring defense in the Big East vs. the conference's top-scoring trendy St. John's offense. We also have a few special announcements: we're giving away two tickets to the Jan. 18 Villanova-Xavier game at the Wells Fargo Center, and we're looking to see if there's any interest for a free pick'em contest! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Villanova Wildcats are preparing for the second leg of a three-year series with the Connecticut Huskies. 'Nova dominated UConn at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. last year, but now the series heads to the Garden. It'll be Villanova's final non-conference game before taking a decent break before starting Big East play. We preview that game, discuss the importance of Collin Gillespie, a quick look at next year, and we'd like to know--what Christmas song is your all-time favorite and if you had the power, which Christmas song would you delete? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a hard-fought effort for the Villanova Wildcats, but they couldn't topple the Kansas Jayhawks over at Allen Fieldhouse. The good and the bad from that game and why even though 'Nova lost back-to-back games for the second time this year, there's a better feeling overall moving ahead than the pandemonium from earlier this season. Not a big moral victory believer, but there's some good from playing in Kansas' hood. Meanwhile, the women's basketball team put the finishing touches on non-conference play with a solid win over Georgia at home. It will not have a two-week break before resuming action. We also answer your Twitter questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Winning is no birthright, and the Penn Quakers certainly showed that, as they were the first Big 5 team to topple the Villanova Wildcats in their upset win over the 'Cats, ending their record-high 25-straight wins. It wasn't the greatest showing by any means, we unpack that game and the aftermath--which also wasn't very good. Now, the Wildcats are prepping for their trip out to the midwest, where they'll take on Kansas, who has only lost twice to non-conference opponents over the last 10 years. (Note: Responses to the fan/listener questions regarding JQ were before seeing the brand-new development from Joe Juliano and Philly Inq.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Those Hawks were feisty, but the Villanova Wildcats were able to hold off a tough late-game rally to hang on for the win. They will now prepare for a Big 5 finale at the Palestra, when they play the Penn Quakers with another title on the line. With 10 games down, Brendan and Eugene discuss this team's progress so far and the season as a whole. The ever-rising placement on the NET rankings is certainly promising. The 'Cats have looked very different since those back-to-back losses to Michigan and Furman, but how far can this growth go? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Villanova Wildcats are still undefeated in Big 5 play, and they won their first game at the Finn in about a month. They couldn't have done it without the play of Jermaine Samuels, who put together a great second half performance down the stretch to help lift the 'Cats to victory over the Temple Owls. Now, they're going to get ready for a game with the Saint Joseph Hawks this weekend--renewing the Holy War. As for the women's basketball team, it will be taking on George Washington on Thursday night, and then continue Big 5 play with a showdown with Temple. We also talk Christmas movies and Joe Cremo's facemask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A short and sweet episode! This past weekend was the start of Big 5 play for the Villanova Wildcats men's and women's basketball teams. Both squads had tough battles, but were able to gut it out. The men's team faced a winless La Salle team, while the women's team let us know that the Hawk is still dead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aren't you glad you took your hands off the panic button? The Villanova Wildcats won the Advocare Invitational, landed back in the polls, and got in on what was a great week for the Big East. We discuss some takeaways from Feast Week for men's and women's basketball, prepare for the start of Big 5 play, and enjoy the bounce back performances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It hasn't been the greatest of weeks for the Villanova Wildcats. After suffering back-to-back losses for the first time since 2013, 'Nova has been bounced out of the polls. Michigan is one thing, but Furman?!?!?!! Breathe. Relax. The 'Cats are going to be okay. We unpack and play doctor and diagnose Villanova's growing pains, but in the long run--everything should be A-OK. On the bright side, 'Nova football and women's basketball took care of business while we were away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wednesday probably didn't go as planned, when the Michigan Wolverines came into the Finn and dismantled the Villanova Wildcats in a national championship rematch. It wasn't a pretty game across the board, but is it time to panic? (Short answer: no) While Villanova endures its growing pains, it'll look to regroup against the Furman Paladins this weekend. In other action, women's basketball is going to put an end to a nine-day break on Friday night, with a game against Lehigh. Also, Football heads to Delaware for another edition of the Battle of the Blue. Just like last season, 'Nova is looking to play the role as the spoiler for the Blue Hens' playoff hopes. Can it pull it off again? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices