The sixth-ranked Villanova Wildcats open their 2017-18 season with high expectations for another deep run in the NCAA Tournament when they host Columbia on Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Villanova's 31-year-old Pavilion, the on-campus arena, is undergoing a $60 million renovation, thus the Wildcats will play the bulk of their home games this season at the Wells Fargo Center.
One season after winning the program's second national championship, the Wildcats finished with a stellar 32-4 record but were upset by Wisconsin, 65-62, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Villanova lost three seniors from that record-setting team -- Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins and Darryl Reynolds.