Jon Rothstein: Villanova Fans Need to Temper Expectations

Even after missing the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons — and having another potential tournament run wiped away as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic — the past decade has seen Villanova Men’s Basketball enjoy a run like few others in the history of college basketball.

Three trips to the Final Four, four trips to the Sweet Sixteen and, of course, a pair of championship rings. As uncertainty swirls around Villanova in the wake of former head coach Kyle Neptune’s firing, CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein gave Wildcats fans advice that, while valid, they won’t want to hear.

“It is a run that I don’t know if we’ll ever see replicated in college basketball. 2014, Villanova’s a two seed. 2015, Villanova’s a one seed,” Rothstein began, underlining each tournament run under Jay Wright in turn to drive his point home.

“2016, Villanova wins the national championship. 2017, Villanova’s a one seed; 2018, Villanova’s a one seed; 2019, Villanova loses to Purdue in the Round of 32. 2020, no tournament; 2021, Villanova loses Collin Gillespie to a torn ACL late in the year, still goes to the Sweet Sixteen, 2022, Villanova advances to the Final Four,” Rothstein finished. “That type of run may never happen again in college basketball. So regardless of who takes over this new chapter at Villanova, let’s temper the expectations a little bit.”

Villanova Waiting On Kevin Willard?

During the segment, Rothstein pointed out that the Wildcats’ coaching vacancy is the only one remaining among power conference teams. He also divulged that the Wildcats are waiting on Maryland’s Kevin Willard, which many surmised… but didn’t have a confirmation of until now.

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