NCAA villanova powerhouse basketball team

Since the 1920s, Villanova has been a top contender in the NCAA, rival of other Philadelphia area schools. Yet it was not until 2016 that Villanova really made history. Kris Jenkins’s historic clock-beater shot made this Final Four appearance the most memorable in all of Villanova’s history.

Villanova has in many ways always been a threat, whether as a thorn in the side of top seeds or as a top seed itself. The Wildcats have a lot of superlatives their competitors lack, such as remaining undefeated in non-conference play in 2018, and have been performing remarkably well over the last several seasons. For example, Villanova’s team has defeated more number one seeds than most other teams in the NCAA, and are in the top ten of all NCAA tournament wins overall. The Wildcats seem unstoppable now.

The 2016 victory parade was an emotional occasion, signifying the culmination of hard work and grit demonstrated by these young players. Anyone who was around at the time attended that parade, and cannot recall the march through Center City without a tear in the eye or a huge smile. The entire city came alive that day, and even students at U Penn could not help but feel humbled by the success of their archrivals.

Villanova’s basketball team has always been one of the top in the nation’s collegiate milieu but since 2016, the school has shone brighter than ever before. Still proudly receiving tutelage from Coach Jay Wright, Villanova’s men have created a team environment characterized by camaraderie, fun, and the challenge of remaining one of the top seeds. Most teams in the South tremble at the sound of Villanova’s Wildcat power.

With Wildcat mojo, the future is bright. With NCAA basketball, coaching is everything. Wright knows what works and what doesn’t, motivating each relatively short-lived team towards victory in ways that guarantee the coach recognition as one of the best of all time. 2018 has been an especially bright year for Villanova, with players like DiVincenzo being named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four. The team also boasts a 36–4 record, historic even for a team as robust and consistently great as Villanova.

Villanova’s Wildcats have received a considerable amount of press, and yet players have never lost their cool. Hubris is not part of the Wildcat strategy. Coach Wright seems to recognize the importance of humility and never resting on the laurels that get a lot of other Final Four teams in trouble.

The fan turnout at the victory parades, including the most recent one, showcase the integrity demonstrated by Villanova diehards. It is the team spirit, the love of the fans and the support of the community, that truly keeps the Wildcat heart beating. So many Villanova players were born and raised in the Philadelphia area, attended local high schools and have been bulwarks of their community. Some even have parents who did the same. No one pays lip service to Villanova; the fans are genuinely passionate.
As players move onto their professional careers, and Coach Wright’s own professional future remains a big question mark, Villanova represents the best of college sports in general. The way team members deal with the rare losses they encounter throughout the years is a critical sign of the sportsmanship that differentiates Villanova from competitors. Grace, integrity, and harmony are the cornerstones of Wildcat strategy.

The future of Villanova men’s basketball is bright, perhaps brighter than ever. Increasing support for the team, faith and determination, and the joy that appears on fan faces of all ages, sizes, and colors are what keep the team spirit alive. With the past few seasons as proof of the solid foundation that Coach Wright has built, no matter what happens, it is hard to imagine a more consistent, or more admirable NCAA powerhouse.