Villanova Men's Basketball
Villanova Reaction: Wildcats Starting to Gel as Big 5 Play Begins
Villanova Men’s Basketball took down La Salle 70-55 on Wednesday, Nov. 19 in the first Big 5 matchup between their respective new head coaches, Kevin Willard and Darris Nichols.
The Wildcats (4-1) put together one of their best defensive efforts of the young season, forcing 16 turnovers and holding the Explorers under 40 points for the first 31 minutes of the game. They also showed some customary Big 5 chippiness, with forward Duke Brennan whistled for a flagrant foul after appearing to trip La Salle’s Justin Archer in a tense exchange.
Naturally, there was also trash talk from fans, with the Explorers taking shots at both Villanova and St. Joseph’s; Wildcats alumnus Allan Ray asked why La Salle even bothered to show up after falling into a double-digit hole. Villanova has a long way to go before NCAA Tournament talks begin to carry weight, but here’s the immediate reaction from fans and media as the Wildcats won their fourth straight game.
72 rebounds in five games for Villanova’s Duke Brennan.
Leading the nation. https://t.co/Jsa41unc4h
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 20, 2025
Inside the box score:
✔️Matt Hodge led four Villanova players in double-figures with 17 points.
✔️La Salle had 16 turnovers & shot 3-13 (23.1%) 3PT FG https://t.co/2yZQGcRRe2— Aaron Bracy (@Aaron_Bracy) November 20, 2025
Halftime thoughts:
Villanova trying to figure out lineups in this game. I like zions aggressiveness, needs to get nerves out though.
Hodge heating up is going to be the secret sauce to this team.
Let's stop the bad turnover though. Freshman…
— Villanova Enthusiast 😺 (@NovaKnowsBall) November 20, 2025
Villanova mens basketball is 4-1 Nova Nation. Here we come
— Leader Johnson (@WriterLeader247) November 20, 2025
Fun (or not so fun) fact:
Villanova was the only Big East team to beat an A10 opponent tonight.
— Sidelines Villanova (@SSN_Nova) November 20, 2025
Big 5 rollout from the La Salle student section vs. Villanova:
“You can’t claim Philly while giving away Yankees hats (St. Joes sent us this font)”
(via @theolneyoutlaws) pic.twitter.com/NOWD1ut7Ts
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) November 20, 2025
No conference in college basketball needs to move the needle during Feast Week more than the Big East.
Creighton, St. John's — Players Era Festival
Providence — Rady Children's Invitational
Georgetown — ESPN Events Invitational https://t.co/63NdlcdEqD— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 20, 2025
Turnovers have been a HUGE problem for La Salle tonight. Explorers trail Villanova by 20 late.
— Aaron Bracy (@Aaron_Bracy) November 20, 2025
People forget that Acaden Lewis went to the same high school as Josh Hart and Saddiq Bey
— Sidelines Villanova (@SSN_Nova) November 20, 2025
I will be ready to make my assessment on this team after the Michigan Game… but I can say that this team has some tough MF’s on it…
— 🅰️RAY (@ARayfor3) November 20, 2025
Game recognizes game pic.twitter.com/Fm5retx3VK
— La Salle Men’s Basketball (@LaSalle_MBB) November 20, 2025
"It felt good to get the win. We have a lot of respect for the Big Five. We know how big these games are." –@Matthew03333530
Postgame Press Conference: https://t.co/Tc44IkoC5p pic.twitter.com/rhxVBwl7F0
— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) November 20, 2025
What a move by Lewis (ignore the finish) pic.twitter.com/qY5dCGUIbb
— Sidelines Villanova (@SSN_Nova) November 20, 2025
Villanova is up to 37th in KenPom after their win against La Salle last night.
The next 4:
Old Dominion
Temple
Penn/SJU*
Michigan (7)Something that cost us these last 3 years was Q3/Q4 loses. Get us to Michigan at 7-1! pic.twitter.com/cFAmQDu9ve
— Nova Starting 5 (@NovaStarting5) November 20, 2025
I asked #Villanova Coach Kevin Willard about coaching in 1st Big 5 game tonight vs LaSalle#Big5Hoops #NovaNation pic.twitter.com/DKlGajkDzw
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) November 20, 2025
I’m not trying to disrespect Lasalle but why did they even show up tonight?
— 🅰️RAY (@ARayfor3) November 20, 2025
