Villanova Men's Basketball
Villanova Reaction: AP Poll Time for the Wildcats
Villanova Men’s Basketball dominated Butler to the tune of 55 second half points on Saturday, Jan. 3, storming past the Bulldogs 85-67 in the brutal road environment of Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The Wildcats (12-2, 3-0 Big East) showed their ability to adapt, attacking the paint for 46 points after their triples weren’t falling early. This marks their second Quadrant 1 win of the season and their fifth straight win over a power conference opponent. Villanova now occupies the No. 21 spot in the KenPom Ratings, and there’s an excellent chance they’ll have a number in front of their name when the Associated Press Top 25 poll resumes on Jan. 5 following a one-week delay for the Christmas holidays.
Still not at the midpoint of the 2025-26 season — that’ll come at Marquette on Saturday, Jan. 10 — the Wildcats’ tournament odds are inching up: teamrankings.com currently gives them a 91.7 percent chance of earning a bid to the Big Dance for the first time since 2022. While head coach Kevin Willard said earlier this season that he likes the lack of national attention around the Wildcats, embracing an underdog status, that’s changing quickly.
Surveying the fan and media reaction around Villanova after they beat Butler, most pundits are ready to sign off on their status as a tournament team. Here’s what they had to say.
Kevin Willard showing he's one the best in our business! Villanova is relevant in the Big East in year one. This team has chemistry, they play harder than their opponents and put 5 guys on the floor who can handle and shoot! Lindsey the real deal! @BIGEASTMBB https://t.co/aHlsrd1Ty7
— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) January 3, 2026
Defense was the key for Acaden Lewis and @NovaMBB as he talked with our @TheAndyKatz about their strong second half 🔐 pic.twitter.com/E4yCWP9VDz
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) January 3, 2026
Villanova nation. I apologize. I hope you can accept my apology. https://t.co/E8GnH7JSHQ
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) January 3, 2026
Villanova keeps quietly putting together a very solid at-large resume.
Should be around a 20 res average come tomm, and the predictives will get a nice bump after the Cats go to Hinkle and topple Butler by 18.
3-2 in the first two quads, 5-2 road/neutral, no Ls outside of the…
— Made For March (@madeformarch) January 3, 2026
Kevin Willards halftime talks gotta be legendary
— Villanova Enthusiast 😺 (@NovaKnowsBall) January 3, 2026
Villanova looks INCREDIBLE right now. Clicking on all fronts. Butler doesn’t have an answer for Brennan, Lewis, or Lindsay right now.
‘Cats up 12, 55-43!!!
— Nova Starting 5 (@NovaStarting5) January 3, 2026
Villanova is now 3-1 in true road games this season.
The Wildcats have also beaten Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Looking like an NCAA Tournament team in Year 1 under Kevin Willard. https://t.co/cvKZsSrL5z
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 3, 2026
RANK US ‼️🗣️
— Jordan Longino Lover (@JLonginoLover) January 3, 2026
Bryce Lindsay in the second half > your favorite player
— Villanova Enthusiast 😺 (@NovaKnowsBall) January 3, 2026
SID: Acaden Lewis gave you a big lift in the second half. What things was he able to do to really kind of get the offense flowing?
Willard: Why are you asking me questions?
SID: I got a request from one of our beat writers (aka me).
Willard: Then they should be here.
You're…
— Dylan Johnson (@bydylanjohnson) January 3, 2026
THE BIG EAST…
The only conference where you can struggle at home against a last place team (DePaul) then go to Butler( one of the toughest places in the country) and win comfortably….
You have to be ready to play every night because you never know…Villanova is Rolling…
— 🅰️RAY (@ARayfor3) January 3, 2026
Villanova just went to Butler and beat the Bulldogs by 18. Kevin Willard's team improves to 12-2 with its only two losses coming against Michigan & BYU. Have won away from home vs. Wisconsin, Seton Hall, now Butler in the last 15 days. Looking more and more like a top-25 team.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) January 3, 2026
Having a dynamic point guard who can score opens up everything.
Lewis is a star. ⭐️
— Villanova Enthusiast 😺 (@NovaKnowsBall) January 3, 2026
having fun watching Villanova again
— Chris Lane (@chrisjjlane) January 3, 2026
This second-half surge follows a trend. Villanova has been outscored in a second half just once so far this season (at Wisconsin, won in OT).
— Jeff Neiburg (@Jeff_Neiburg) January 3, 2026
532 left: Villanova 69, Butler 56
All Wildcats this half. Savvy move just now by coach Kevin Willard on last possession.
He called a play specifically so Tyler Perkins can iso post-up on Finley Bizjack, who has been good on offense but not defense today. Easy layup for Perkins.
— Aaron Bracy (@Aaron_Bracy) January 3, 2026
