The Latest
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No. 2 Villanova allows another big lead to slip before finishing off Georgetown
BOX SCORE VILLANOVA, Pa. — Jay Wright smiles when he talks about it, but in the moment it’s probably not quite as funny. His Villanova Wildcats have had large leads get erased in recent games, but Wright — for the moment — isn’t all that concerned. “They get down, they blow leads. It doesn’t affect them,” Wright said. “They don’t panic. It...
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Instant Replay: No. 2 Villanova 75, Georgetown 64
BOX SCORE VILLANOVA, Pa. — It was a problem against Providence and happened again Saturday against St. John’s. Villanova’s inability to close out opponents was becoming a concern. Surely, after a largely dominant first half and early 17-point lead in the second half, the demons were gone. Think again. The Wildcats, who led, 43-28, at halftime but shot 9 of 29…
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St. Joe's, Lamarr Kimble cut down on mistakes in win over Penn
BOX SCORE The last thing Saint Joseph’s basketball players usually read before they leave the locker room is one word: “Win.” It’s the word coach Phil Martelli typically goes with. But after three straight defeats and losses in four of five since losing top scorer Shavar Newkirk to a season-ending knee injury on Dec. 30, Martelli decided to change...
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Instant Replay: St. Joe's 78, Penn 71
BOX SCORE With two teams entering action on three-game losing skids and still trying to find footing midway through the year, it was one of those games – especially in the Big 5 – where, quite simply, someone had to win. And in a game that featured lengthy runs on both sides, Saint Joseph’s ended up being that team, holding…
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No. 1 Villanova survives scare from DePaul in Big East opener
BOX SCORE VILLANOVA, Pa. — For those putting labels on regular-season games, Wednesday night at the Pavilion was a clear-cut trap game for Villanova against DePaul. There were reasons that made sense: Winter break on campus. Haven’t played a game in a week. Biggest test of the year coming Saturday against No. 10 Creighton. But those were all reaches against…
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Instant Replay: No. 1 Villanova 68, DePaul 65
BOX SCORE VILLANOVA, Pa. — If there were such a thing for the nation’s No. 1 team, the game Wednesday evening at the Pavilion against DePaul could be labeled a trap game with No. 10 Creighton waiting for a Big East showdown Saturday. And it certainly played out like one. But thanks to the heroics from Player of the Year…
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Jalen Brunson ‘plays like a Philly guard' in helping No. 1 Villanova hold off La Salle
BOX SCORE Normally before his team’s first game at the Palestra in a certain year, Jay Wright takes his players on a tour of the storied building. The goal: To remind them of the history, the importance and the tradition. And also what happens here. After Tuesday’s game against La Salle, Wright regretted not playing tour guide last week...
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Instant Replay: No. 1 Villanova 89, La Salle 79
BOX SCORE The thought, however unlikely it seemed before tip-off, probably lingered in the minds of most in the Palestra Tuesday night. Newly-crowned No. 1 Villanova looked beatable in a “road” game against a cross-city opponent, La Salle. A streak of 16 consecutive city series wins was on the line. And surely that No. 1 ranking would disappear next week…
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As new season begins, Villanova ‘not defending nothing'
VILLANOVA, Pa. — The walls around the perimeter of Villanova’s practice court inside the Davis Center leave no trace of what April wrought. There are and will be no banners. No pictures of Kris Jenkins’ picturesque release with the parade-inducing ball fluttering toward destiny. All reminders of Villanova’s first championship since 1985 are left in a trophy case in the...
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Villanova's new task: Dealing with distraction of being the reigning champ
VILLANOVA, Pa. — No matter how hard they guard against it, the Villanova Wildcats always end up finding themselves talking about April. Talking about the magical shot from the hands of Kris Jenkins. Talking about finally getting over the second-round demons and winning a national championship. They deal with it on campus, off campus and in the media. It comes with…