Villanova Reaction: Another Wildcats’ Season in the Books

Villanova Men’s Basketball’s 2024-25 season came to an end on Saturday, April 5 when the Wildcats fell 104-98 in overtime during the semifinal round of the College Basketball Crown.

While Villanova’s season contained plenty of disappointment — the Wildcats missed the NCAA Tournament for the third year running, prompting the dismissal of head coach Kyle Neptune —  this year’s team also provided plenty for fans to look back on with fondness: a senior class with players like Eric Dixon and Jordan Longino who spent their entire college careers with the Wildcats, a rarity in the era of NIL, as well as impactful transfers like Wooga Poplar, Jhamir Brickus and Enoch Boakye who got a fleeting chance to embrace the Villanova Way. For all their missed opportunities, the Wildcats also managed signature moments, including their ranked upsets of Big East foes like St. John’s, UConn and Marquette.

With the season now officially over, Villanova fans had plenty to say on social media, recognizing the irony of yet another late blown lead from a squad that missed the Big Dance for precisely that reason, expressing gratitude for the senior class and, of course, recognizing that the Wildcats are the last Big East team standing this season. Take a look at the reaction from fans and media.

Thank you Eric Dixon for absolutely everything, one of Nova’s greatest

— Koko (@michael_kokolis) April 5, 2025

So while Villanova may have lost tonight in the Semis, every starter played in the Crown Tournament, when other teams backed out. We are the only school who sent our band, our cheerleaders, and dance team. We showed off our community. In the long run, this is what matters.

— Amy Venuto (@amyvenuto) April 5, 2025

Thank you, Eric Dixon and Jordan Longino.

For five years, you have represented Villanova Basketball with pride, leadership, and unwavering commitment. From the moment you arrived on campus, you embraced what it means to be a Wildcat—through every challenge, every triumph, and… pic.twitter.com/jL20nTByTr

— Tommy Godin (@tommygodinjr) April 5, 2025

Eric Dixon finishes his Villanova career with 2,314 points — the program’s all-time record.

— Dylan Johnson (@bydylanjohnson) April 5, 2025

What a season. Ups and downs for sure.

Time to turn the page and write a new chapter with Coach Willard and see who we get to Nova. https://t.co/LYx3qW0lJp

— Villanova Report (@NovaReportMBB) April 6, 2025

This Final Four game is pure cinema (Villanova and UCF)

— Loyal to the Soil Dan (@X_Fan_Dan25) April 5, 2025

From an objective standpoint, this UCF vs. Villanova game has been electric ⚡

Anyone tuning in is getting a real show.

— 🛸Austin 🛸 (@AustinHeff) April 5, 2025

Forever etched into Villanova history.

Thank you for everything, Eric https://t.co/58EyJMgmwU

— NovaAlerts (@AlertsNova) April 6, 2025

https://twitter.com/mattgrasso5/status/1908655382349963655?s=46&t=YudxU6kRtHrvEctSDcskLg

https://twitter.com/thefull40/status/1908002801516507564?s=46&t=YudxU6kRtHrvEctSDcskLg

Villanova has the absolute worst defense in the final minute of games. It’s unbelievable.

— 𝓜𝓪𝓽𝓽 𝓓𝓮𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓲𝓼 (@mjdemarinis) April 5, 2025

UCF’s 104 points is the first time a Villanova opponent scored 100 or more points since Dec. 17, 2017, when Butler scored 101.

— Dylan Johnson (@bydylanjohnson) April 5, 2025

Halftime in Vegas! 🏀 pic.twitter.com/tiIWIIiZMU

— Villanova University Band (@villanovaband) April 5, 2025