Way back in October, when all the experts, prognosticators and all of the in-the-know crowd were having their preseason say, there was not a lot of love going around for Villanova.
The Wildcats would be good, they would say. Just not Villanova good. Sure, they’ll be the preseason top pick in the conference, but being the slam dunk favorites to win the BIG EAST Tournament championship again? For the fourth time in five seasons? Well, no one was about to take that bet.
After all, the guts of the great National Championship Villanova team from last season was now off earning NBA bucks and the departure of Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Omari Spellman and Donte DiVincenzo left just two seniors, Phil Booth and Eric Paschall, in the Villanova cupboard, along with a cast of unproven youngsters.