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It felt like it was happening again. Villanova had squandered a 12-point lead against back-to-back National Champion and #9-ranked UConn, yet still led 67-66 with just 52 seconds remaining in the game as Hassan Diarra grabbed a missed jumper from Eric Dixon to give UConn the ball. Coach Danny Hurley was praising a Villanova team Villanova favored by 1.5 points by sportsbooks and 1 point by KenPom as a “tournament team” before the game, just as he had back in 2024. Despite all of this, here it was; the inevitable heartbreak after holding a lead against a top-35 team in the country, something that has happened time and time again in the last 2+ years for Villanova.
With a double OT loss to Butler, not taking a shot in an OT loss to Kansas St., a dagger from Drexel to fall to 6th in the Big 5, all happening in 2024, it looked like Villanova was primed to have another heartbreak, this time one that would have had fans lamenting another lost season. Ask any Big East fan before the game if UConn would win if given four more opportunities to score on Villanova with just 50 seconds left, and they would have said yes. But last night was different. With the help of two missed free throws from Alex Karaban, Villanova would go on to get three stops against the #2 offense in the country, and the Cats would get their biggest win this year, and the most significant win of Coach Kyle Neptune’s time at Villanova.
Defense Prevails
Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune lauded this defensive effort from his team, emphasizing their ability to withstand UConn’s second-half surge. “A lot of respect for UConn's program, what they've accomplished this season and in the past,” Neptune said. “I was really proud of the way our guys came out defensively in the first half and took a bunch of punches from them in the second half.”
Villanova forced UConn into 13 turnovers, a notable stat line against one of the most efficient offenses in the country. The Wildcats’ defense was anchored by Jordan Longino, whose critical block with 20 seconds, and perhaps a second block that was called a controversial foul with 3 seconds left, helped seal the win. Neptune acknowledged the significance of those late-game stops: “I thought it was fitting that we got stops down the stretch, and I thought that propelled us to the win.”
Eric Dixon’s Adjustments and Leadership
Eric Dixon overcame a slow start to finish with 23 points, including a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. Dixon’s struggles in the first half (1-for-8 from the field) were offset by his second-half determination to attack the rim. “I realized they were trying to get up in me and be physical to stop me from getting off shots,” Dixon explained. “So I just drove it.”
Dixon’s adaptability was evident in key moments. At 15:09 in the second half, he completed a three-point play that extended Villanova’s lead to 46-34. Later, with 3:27 remaining, Dixon drained a three-pointer to give Villanova a 65-59 cushion, delivering when the team needed him most, despite struggles early on.
When asked about his teammates’ contributions, Dixon emphasized the team’s depth. “It’s a lot of talented guys in here. They helped me, they picked me up for sure,” he said. “They kept me going, especially in the locker room.”
Wooga Poplar Shines in the Clutch
Wooga Poplar added 18 points, including a go-ahead three-pointer at 4:59 that broke a 59-59 tie. Poplar’s contributions weren’t limited to scoring; his defensive rebound with less than two minutes left set the stage for Villanova to maintain their slim lead. Poplar also sank a crucial free throw with one second remaining to secure the victory.
Reflecting on his late-game heroics, Poplar kept it simple: “I just felt like I saw the rim, so I shot it. Our coach always says, ‘If you feel like you’re open, just shoot it.’ So I just shot it.”
The Crowd Factor and Home-Court Advantage
The Finneran Pavilion crowd played a pivotal role in energizing the Wildcats. “We love our fans. We love playing here,” Neptune said. “The energy—you can feel it as soon as you get in the building. They all show up for us.”
Taking the Punches and Fighting Back
UConn made multiple runs in the second half, led by Solo Ball’s three point shooting and Hassan Diarra’s playmaking. Ball’s three-pointer at 8:38 gave the Huskies a 57-55 lead, marking the first time Villanova trailed in the half. Instead of letting UConn take control, the Wildcats responded immediately, with Dixon tying the game at 57, followed by a put back from Longino to take the lead. The two teams would trade the lead 9 times, but Villanova would narrowly hold onto the lead from that point on.
Neptune highlighted the importance of maintaining composure in such moments. “You’re going against the best of the best in the Big East,” he said. “I thought they threw some punches, and we knew they would. But stops got it done for us in the end, and that’s what it has to be.”
Enoch Boakye’s Understated Impact
Enoch Boakye’s contributions may not have dominated the stat sheet, but his presence was crucial. Boakye’s defensive positioning and ability to communicate anchored Villanova’s efforts against UConn’s potent offense. “Enoch creates so much pressure offensively and defensively for other teams,” Neptune explained. “He just takes up a lot of space, and he’s starting to communicate at a high level.”
Growth Mentality and What’s Next
Looking ahead, Neptune emphasized the need for continuous improvement. “The season’s not even halfway over yet,” he said. “We just have to lock in, have a growth mentality, watch film, get better in practice, and keep going. We’ve got 15 hours to enjoy this, and then it’s back to work.”
With a 9-2 record in their last 11, it looks like Villanova may have found a new identity, an identity centered around Eric Dixon, but supported by those around him on both ends of the floor. This win is not one that will propel them to the tournament alone.
With another tough matchup looming against St. John’s on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, Neptune’s time to enjoy this win is already up. A win against a top-20 KenPom team in St. John’s would be big for Villanova to keep trending towards the right side of the NCAA Tournament “bubble.” This team has shown they can be special. But they still must show that they are not the 2023 or 2024 Wildcats.
A win this weekend can do just that, and is the next step in proving that what some fans are calling “The Revival” is real.
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