Villanova Reaction: ‘Cats Advance, Dixon Breaks Record

For one of just a handful of times in program history, Villanova Men’s Basketball is playing in April. They aren’t in the NCAA Tournament this season, but the Wildcats are taking part in the College Basketball Crown, a new invitational tournament taking place in Las Vegas.

Their opening round matchup against Colorado ended in a dominant Wildcats win, with Eric Dixon and Wooga Poplar each clearing the 20-point hurdle: Dixon broke a program record that stood for 29 years, passing Kerry Kittles to occupy the No. 1 spot on Villanova’s all-time scoring leaderboard. The five year starter needed 38 more games than Kittles to set the record but stands on the Wildcats’ Mount Rushmore regardless.

Villanova fans took to social media to express appreciation at seeing this group of seniors play one last time, gratitude for Dixon and long term assistant — and interim head coach — Mike Nardi’s contributions to the program (and even kudos from around the Big East, along with a mixture of sarcasm and regret at seeing the team play in April without a national title on the line. Here’s a look at what fans and media had to say about the Wildcats’ win.

Hey Willard, Mike Nardi is here. We’re all good pic.twitter.com/IsXKJiU1sI

— Seton Hall Student (@sacketology) April 2, 2025

Eric Dixon officially becomes Villanova's all-time leading scorer!

Dixon: 2,245 (160 games)
Kittles: 2,243 (122 G)
Reynolds: 2,222 (139 G) pic.twitter.com/mBgy3ixxX3

— MattyMass (@MattyMass) April 2, 2025

Love to see this for Mike Nardi after Villanova’s win over Colorado in The Crown. Obviously some unique circumstances for Nardi to be in this position and he’s handling it well. A Nova great who’s given so much to the program. You can see how beloved he is:pic.twitter.com/1nimMUezoH

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 2, 2025

Kevin Willard in FS1 says Villanova is “one of the best jobs in the country.”

— Jeff Neiburg (@Jeff_Neiburg) April 2, 2025

With this bucket, Eric Dixon has just passed Kerry Kittles to become Villanova men's basketball's all-time leading scorer with 2,244 career points. An all-time great on the Main Line. pic.twitter.com/tDWeGhGPhy

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 2, 2025

Mike Nardi keeps the tradition alive: No seat for the Villanova head coach on the bench. Jay Wright didn’t have a chair and neither did Kyle Neptune (someone else can tell me if Lappas had one or not).

— Jeff Neiburg (@Jeff_Neiburg) April 2, 2025

There’s just something about watching the boys play in the prestigious Crown tournament at the end of March. #Villanova #NovaNation pic.twitter.com/xGzoXq7G0G

— MainLineWillard (@NovaNationV) April 2, 2025

I’m confused why Villanova fired Kyle Neptune: they are playing April basketball. Reserved for the privileged!

— Storrs South (@UConn6thBorough) April 2, 2025

Surely, Villanova has the biggest game in program history played on April 1st tonight at 8:30 PM on FS1.

Cheers to the 40th anniversary of a very close second 😉 pic.twitter.com/u7YndLy5vs

— Tommy Godin (@tommygodinjr) April 1, 2025

It’s a beautiful thing that the last great player of The Golden Era of Villanova Basketball breaks the scoring record in the unofficial first appearance of the program in its hopeful new era. Many congratulations and thanks to Eric Dixon.

— Villanova Tip Time (@NovaTipTime) April 2, 2025

DIXON DIALS UP HISTORY!

Eric Dixon has passed Kerry Kittles as the all-time leading scorer in Villanova Basktball history.

One of the best to ever put on the blue and white. pic.twitter.com/lJMZoOcSgR

— Tommy Godin (@tommygodinjr) April 2, 2025

Congratulations to Eric Dixon. Tremendous accomplishment.

In the portal era, this record may stand for a very very long time.

— Chris – F40 (@ChrisFull40) April 2, 2025

Eric Dixon breaks Villanova’s all-time scoring record. I know I speak on behalf of the rest of the Big East when I say congrats, and we’re all excited to never have to play against you again pic.twitter.com/4Tg6wFVcD1

— Butler Basketball Guru (@ButlerGuru) April 2, 2025

Mike Nardi on Eric Dixon:

"He is not a finished product, yet."

— Dylan Johnson (@bydylanjohnson) April 2, 2025