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Opportunity knocks in Crown for Villanova, USC

For opponents Villanova and Southern California, facing off in Thursday's quarterfinal round of the inaugural College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas, the opening-round of the tournament provided opportunities in the unknown. For Villanova (20-14), interim coach Mike Nardi capitalized on the opportunity to score his first career head-coaching win as he oversees the program's transition from Kyle Neptune to the incoming Kevin Willard. "This is a very special place that means a lot to a lot of people," Nardi said following Villanova's 85-64 blowout of Colorado on Tuesday, via the university athletic website. "I've grown up here as a student, as a man and as a player.