By SAM LANCE
In November, Villanova was 3-4 and looked to be in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season under Kyle Neptune.
And for much of the time since then, Neptune’s job has appeared in serious jeopardy.
But on Wednesday, the Wildcats grabbed a much-needed 68-66 win over two-time defending NCAA champion UConn to move to 11-5 and 8-1 in their last nine games after struggling the first month of the season.
This is the biggest win of the Neptune era and likely puts Villanova on the right side of the bubble if the season ended today.
“@kyleneptune and his Cats are growing,” former Villanova coach Jay Wright posted.
Said Neptune: “We have a lot of respect for the UConn program and what they have accomplished this season and in past seasons. I was proud of the way our guys came out defensively in the first half and then took a bunch of punches from them in the second half and down the stretch. I thought it was fitting we got stops down the stretch. I thought that propelled us to the win.”
Senior big man Eric Dixon scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half while shooting just 6-of-20 from the field. Senior guard Wooga Poplar was also big in this one, scoring 18 points including 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Senior guard Jordan Longino was the other Wildcat in double-figures with 12 points. Villanova was up 67-66 with 3.1 seconds left when senior forward Alex Karaban, an 81% free throw shooter, headed to the line for UConn with a chance to take the lead. However, he missed both free throws and Villanova was able to seal the deal. UConn shot just 2-of-4 from the line for the game, while Villanova shot 12-of-13. “It’s like life,” UConn coach Dan Hurley told reporters. “Sometimes you’ve got to eat (bleep). You’re going to have bad moments. His first two years in college has been a fairy tale.”The @BIGEASTMBB is great basketball!!! @UConnMBB hit every big shot !! @NovaMBB had an answer every time ! @kyleneptune and his Cats are growing ! Uconn is legit !!! One of the best games of the year !
— Jay Wright (@CoachJayWright) January 9, 2025
UConn falls to 12-4 and 4-1 in the Big East. The Huskies have another huge game against Georgetown on the road on Saturday, while Villanova visits surging St. John’s, another NCAA Tournament team, at Madison Square Garden. Follow Sam Lance on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookAlex Karaban missed BOTH free throws with a chance to win the game… 😳🤯pic.twitter.com/1RHmovR38k
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) January 9, 2025
