Villanova Men's Basketball
Villanova Reaction: Seniors Continue Farewell, NIL a Flash Point
Villanova Men’s Basketball advanced to the semifinal round of the College Basketball Crown invitational tournament on Thursday, April 3, outlasting the USC Trojans 60-59 thanks to 24 second half points from Eric Dixon.
The win secures the program a minimum of $50,000 in NIL prize money and gives the senior class of Dixon, Wooga Poplar, Jordan Longino, Jhamir Brickus and Enoch Boakye at least one more game together. Wildcats fans who stayed up to watch the finish — 9:30 p.m. weeknight tip-offs aren’t for the weak — savored the chance to see another signature performance from Dixon, cracked jokes about Villanova’s season still going on this far into April and, of course, debated the tournament’s focus on NIL in this brave new world of college basketball.
Take a look at the reaction from Wildcats fans, college basketball fans and the media after another wild Villanova win.
Eric Dixon.
The 5th year senior is leaving it all out there in his final games with @NovaMBB. His effort for the Wildcats on the nightly basis won’t be forgotten.
Tonight:
24pts
5 threes
4 rebounds
1 block
1 win to send Villanova to the 👑 semis pic.twitter.com/YySv17zdzw— T3 Bracketology™️🏀 (@T3Bracketology) April 4, 2025
All about family 🫶
Hear from Coach Nardi following the 60-59 win over USC in the @CBBCrown! pic.twitter.com/R8FePbAKXB
— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) April 4, 2025
To much Villanova stuff on my timeline. I think Willard is up to something https://t.co/MWWGJa78KM
— derik queen (@derikqueen1) April 4, 2025
As is frequently the case, the rest of the Big East Conference sits and watches while Villanova plays on Final Four Saturday
— The Full 40: A Villanova Basketball Podcast (@thefull40) April 4, 2025
Villanova basketball has been the last Big East team playing 4 of the last 9 years
2016
2018
2022
2025#TheCrown— Ryan Cassidy (@ryancassidycbb) April 3, 2025
Big-time 3 from Eric Dixon! pic.twitter.com/P0ZN6T7I6I
— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) April 4, 2025
I’m used to Saint Thomas OF Villanova, not Saint Thomas VS Villanova
— Chris – F40 (@ChrisFull40) April 4, 2025
Name a better feeling than waking up with your basketball team in the final four of the Crown. I’ll wait. #Villanova #NovaNation
— MainLineWillard (@NovaNationV) April 4, 2025
SOMEONE TELL ERIC DIXON THATS A GUARD MOVE 😳
— Villanova Enthusiast 😺 (@NovaKnowsBall) April 4, 2025
Eric Dixon is here for one last dance with his squad, not to win some NIL. pic.twitter.com/BoJbtfXL1v
— Dylan Johnson (@bydylanjohnson) April 4, 2025
Eric Dixon is not done wearing this jersey
— Perry Sopinsky (@PerryBrackets) April 4, 2025
I love Gus Johnson, but him going on and on about the $50k NIL on the line was disgusting.
I know student-athlete is a dead concept and that this is modern CBB, but does it not mean anything to rep your school? Play another game with your team? Literally ANY other storyline?
— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) April 4, 2025
