Villanova and Virginia, the two most recent NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions, are set to square off in the “Holiday Hoops Classic” presented by Bud Light Seltzer on Saturday, December 19 at Madison Square Garden. The storied programs will tip-off in a non-conference game at 8:00 pm EST that will be nationally televised live on FOX.
Villanova (2-1), currently ranked No. 12 in the Associated Press Top 25, won the NCAA Championship in 2016 and 2018, while Virginia (1-1), presently ranked No. 15, claimed the Championship in 2019. This will be the first meeting between the schools since January 29, 2017. The Cavaliers hold a 5-3 advantage over the Wildcats in the all-time series which dates back to 1981.
The game will be played with no fans in attendance.
“Madison Square Garden is excited to host these two storied college basketball programs for the first college basketball game at The Garden since March,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, Marquee Events and Operations. “We would like to thank Villanova, the University of Virginia, FOX for stepping in to produce and deliver this great game to a national audience, as well as the event’s presenting sponsor, Bud Light Seltzer, for their support of this marquee matchup.”
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