Villanova Wins Big East Tournament As Hart Looks to Cap Incredible Career
By DENNIS CHAMBERS NEW YORK -- In the era
By DENNIS CHAMBERS NEW YORK -- In the era
By DENNIS CHAMBERS
NEW YORK — The defending national champions now have the opportunity to enter the NCAA tournament as Big East champions.
Flip-flopping last season’s outcome with Seton Hall Friday night, Villanova advanced to the Big East’s 35th rendition of the Big East Tournament final where they will face Creighton, which beat Xavier 75-72. Villanova and Creighton will tip at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
Entering their semifinal matchup with Seton Hall the Wildcats were the No. 2 ranked team in the country and a No. 1 seed in ESPN Joe Lunardi‘s projected NCAA tournament bracket. The Wildcats spent the season dominating their conference, and collecting hardware in the process as Josh Hart was named Big East Player of the Year. With 30 wins on the season up to this point, Villanova has a real chance at repeating as national champions.
The Big East Coach of the Year race is shaping up to be a dandy. There are at least five legitimate candidates among the league’s 10 head coaches.
Here’s a quick breakdown of those in consideration.
**Ed Cooley, Providence
The Friars were picked ninth in the 10-team league after losing Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil off of last year’s team. But they are now one of the hottest teams in the league heading into Saturday’s season-finale against St. John’s at Madison Square Garden. The Friars (19-11, 9-8) have won five straight, including beating No. 22 Butler at home and No. 23 Creighton on the road. They also downed Xavier and Marquette. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi currently has them among his “Last Four In,” along with Seton Hall and Marquette.
Kansas, Villanova, North Carolina and Gonzaga remain
By JIM O’CONNELL
Kansas, which won a record 13th consecutive Big 12 regular-season title, is the new No. 1 in The Associated Press college basketball poll.
The Jayhawks are also No. 1 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Kansas (26-3) moved up two places to the top spot in the AP Poll, receiving 58 first-place votes Monday from the 65-member national media panel .
Kansas is the sixth school to be No. 1 this season. The Jayhawks were on top last season for five weeks, including the final three polls of the season.
Villanova (27-3) remained second despite losing to Butler last week. The Wildcats were No. 1 on two ballots. UCLA (26-3), which was No. 1 on three ballots, moved up from fifth to third after its win over Arizona on Saturday.
A week ago, Josh Hart said winning a share of his fourth straight Big East regular-season championship wasn’t good enough.
He and his Villanova teammates wanted to win the crown outright.
“We have the tie now and hopefully we can get out of that position,” Hart told FanRagSports.com after Villanova’s win over Seton Hall on Feb. 18.
Now they have it.
With No. 2 Villanova’s 79-63 victory over No. 23 Creighton on Saturday, the Wildcats (27-3, 14-3 Big East) ensured their fourth straight outright league championship.
It marked the last home game for the seniors Hart and Kris Jenkins (15 points). Fellow senior Darryl Reynolds (ribs) missed the game but is expected back for the Big East Tournament.
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Kelan Martin scored
