Villanova Men's Basketball
Villanova Reaction: Wildcats Survive Hiccups Against Badgers
Villanova Men’s Basketball narrowly avoided disaster on Friday, Dec. 19, blowing a 15 point second half lead on the way to a 76-66 overtime win over the Wisconsin Badgers.
The Wildcats (9-2) concluded their out-of-conference slate with an excellent defensive showing, holding the Badgers’ high-powered offense to just 66 points over 45 minutes of play: while Wisconsin sank three three-point shots in the final 96 seconds, they all came with the game well in hand. The win showed a level of grit welcome to Villanova fans after three years without an NCAA Tournament appearance… but even in a tough road environment, there’s plenty to grit one’s teeth over — free throws, anyone? — after a blown double-digit lead.
Up next, the Wildcats will travel to Newark to take on a resurgent Seton Hall (11-1) squad in their Big East opener, a game that suddenly holds massive stakes. Before the season started, Big East coaches picked the Pirates to finish last in the 11-team conference: Villanova slotted in at No. 7. Now, they both have a chance to push teams like UConn and St. John’s atop the league.
Here’s the reaction from fans and media alike during and after the Wildcats’ best win of the season so far.
We now have a Palpable Buzz surrounding Tuesday night's game in Newark between Villanova and Seton Hall.
Kevin Willard's return to The Rock features a showdown between two teams who are making their claims to be in the Big East's top tier.
Jolly good fun! https://t.co/63733pavsE
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 20, 2025
That’s a big win for Villanova over Wisconsin as Kevin Willard’s Wildcats close non-con play at 9-2 and are hovering around the top 30 of the NET. Big dance contender.
Tyler Perkins with 19, Duke Brennan continues a big year with a double-double, Matt Hodge with 15-and-6.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) December 20, 2025
Villanova's defensive looks suffocating right now.
Great rotations.
Love to see it.— Villanova Enthusiast 😺 (@NovaKnowsBall) December 20, 2025
IMO this is the first time we’ve seen Villanova in the Trenches this year and they showed they can fight… Seton Hall next is going to be a great game… Unfortunately it’s on Peacock 😂.
All of this TV money circulating and fans can’t even watch their teams play consistently.…— 🅰️RAY (@ARayfor3) December 20, 2025
Was it a perfect win? No.
But this is a game Villanova hasn’t won the last couple of years.
A lot to clean up, but an incredibly impressive road win for the Wildcats tonight. 🕺🕺. pic.twitter.com/LgDrLU9fH9
— Tommy Godin (@tommygodinjr) December 20, 2025
Watching a Villanova basketball team that can’t shoot free throws makes me feel like I wanna pull my finger nails off.
— Max Dolente (@Philly_Mays) December 20, 2025
WHAT A SHOT BY BRYCE LINDSAY pic.twitter.com/u0zQoZ7li0
— Villanova Enthusiast 😺 (@NovaKnowsBall) December 20, 2025
It’s beginning to look a lot like Villanova Basketball just in time for the holidays…
Halftime thoughts???— 🅰️RAY (@ARayfor3) December 20, 2025
Still impressive for Villanova: 8 turnovers in 45 minutes,
Still needs work: FT shooting 68% 13-19
Could’ve iced the game in regulation from the line
— Aaron Bracy (@Aaron_Bracy) December 20, 2025
Reminder of how big this one may be for Villanova tonight.
But another note: This is a neutral-site game as far as NET rankings go. Wisconsin doesn't play in Milwaukee, so it's not the same as Villanova in South Philly.
So, right now it's a Quad 2 game, not Quad 1, for VU. https://t.co/zD5dcb9HIS
— Jeff Neiburg (@Jeff_Neiburg) December 19, 2025
That’s a really good win for Villanova
The Kevin Willard era is off to a running start.
— Big East Bar Room 🎙 (@BigEastBarroom) December 20, 2025
Almost two years to the day since Villanova Men’s Basketball’s last overtime win, a 68-66 upset of then-No. 12 Creighton in Omaha. ‘Cats are 0-3 in OT since then.
— Griffin Floyd (@GriffinFloyd62) December 20, 2025
Wisconsin scored 104 points against Providence in 40 minutes.
Wisconsin scored 66 points in a loss against Villanova in 45 minutes, in what was essentially a home game in Milwaukee.
This is a tough night for Kim English in a lot of ways.
— Friar Faithful (@PCFriarFaithful) December 20, 2025
