Villanova Reaction: Worst Blown Lead in a Season Full of Them?

Villanova Men’s Basketball suffered their worst loss in a season full of them on Tuesday, Feb. 18, blowing a double digit second half lead to UConn on the way to a 66-59 loss.

At one point, it looked like the Wildcats were ready to cruise to a Quad 1 win on the road.

Then the Wildcats allowed a 27-6 Huskies run over the last 12 minutes of play, going 2-for-15 down the stretch with five turnovers committed. At this point, it’s safe to Villanova’s bad habit of blowing leads is a rule, not the exception: in the past five weeks alone, they’ve led late in the second half against St. John’s, Xavier, Georgetown, Creighton and now UConn. They nearly blew the game in their first matchup with the Huskies and with Providence, and needed a late three from Tyler Perkins to avoid that same played out storyline in their rematch with St. John’s on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

That’s five blown leads and three serious scares in their past 12 games alone… and now, at 15-12 (8-8 Big East) with just four games to go in the regular season, their chances of securing an at-large bid and sneak into the NCAA Tournament are practically nil. Needless to say, this Villanova team is a far cry from the one that won a Big East Championship (and with it, an automatic bid) back in 2022.

After seeing the same tired storyline play out for head coach Kyle Neptune and his Wildcats once again, here’s what college basketball fans and media had to say.

Absolutely epic collapse by Villanova. From up 14 with 11 mins to go to losing by seven. Brutal finish and latest reason they will have a new coach soon.

— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) February 19, 2025

I don’t understand Villanova’s season at all.

— 𝓜𝓪𝓽𝓽 𝓓𝓮𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓲𝓼 (@mjdemarinis) February 19, 2025

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a collapse like I just did with Villanova.

— Karl Townes (@Karl_Townes) February 19, 2025

The Kyle Neptune era summed up in a nutshell tonight…#Villanova led 53-39 with 12min to go. Now it’s tied with 2:42 to play. Completely let #UConn off the hook.

Big finish coming up in Hartford.

— Ryan McIntyre (@Moneyline_Mac) February 19, 2025

If Villanova has a competent Athletic Department, Kyle Neptune is both taking the Amtrak home and with his severance pay.

— Joe Szymanski (@JosephSzymanski) February 19, 2025

FIRE NEPTUNE AGENDA BACK ON

— Barstool Villanova (@BarstoolNova) February 19, 2025

Villanova led 53-39 with 12 min to go @ UConn before forgetting how to play basketball, and that will do it.

The Villanova Wildcats become our 6th Big East school and 27th power conference school overall eliminated from at-large contention.

At 15-12 (8-8) and only one semi… https://t.co/pndSltbPkq pic.twitter.com/f5mpy9J8hO

— JBR Bracketology (@JBRBracketology) February 19, 2025

That Villanova game tonight really summed up the last 3 years perfectly. They provide glimpses of their potential… but zero execution down the stretch. It's amazing how many meltdowns they've had in crunch time. Tonight was especially bad. A 27-6 run is pretty remarkable.

— Sean Kane (@SKaneNBCS) February 19, 2025

I have a lot of respect for Kyle Neptune and his staff. He even follows this account. But at some point I have to start asking the though questions.

We see the same pattern every game.
Lead. Can't close. Lose

There's a lot of blame to go around but it has to start somewhere. pic.twitter.com/OahFxlmro7

— Villanova Enthusiast 😿 (@NovaKnowsBall) February 19, 2025

UConn trailed Villanova 58-52 at the under 4 TO.

Outscored the Wildcats 14-1 in the final four minutes. https://t.co/hnjy3YxE6F

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 19, 2025

Villanova with 3 mins left in the game pic.twitter.com/5I7iN5FxPP

— 🅰️RAY (@ARayfor3) February 19, 2025

Villanova has turned into an absolute joke, and will remain a joke until they fire inept Kyle Neptune.

— Jason Kates (@Jason_Kates) February 19, 2025

UConn going on a 26-6 run to beat Villanova. Can't even imagine what it'd be like to be on the other end of a big UConn run like that. How embarrassing for Villanova. Anyway, time to watch the Illini.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) February 19, 2025

Villanova led UConn 53-39 with 11:58 left, but UConn stormed back with a 27-6 run to secure the win.

Kyle Neptune just keeps finding ways to lose. pic.twitter.com/DbGYrhH1xZ

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) February 19, 2025

The Most Confusing Team You've Ever Seen: The 2024-25 Villanova Men's Basketball Video Yearbook

— Jeff Neiburg (@Jeff_Neiburg) February 19, 2025