< Previous‘CATS IN THE COMMUNITY 2020-21 VILLANOVA BASKETBALL 78 n VILLANOVA BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE Jeremiah Robinson-Earl at Villanova’s 2020 Day of Service THE WILDCATS ON THE WILDCATS ON THE 2020THE 2020 DAY OF SERVICE DAY OF SERVICEFINNERAN PAVILION 2020-21 VILLANOVA BASKETBALL 80 n VILLANOVA BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE Home Total Season Games Att. Avg. Sellouts Record 2019-20 8 52,008 6,501 8 8-0 2018-19 10 65,010 6,501 10 8-2 2017-18 Closed for renovation 2016-17 11 71,500 6,500 11 10-1 2015-16 13 84,500 6,500 13 13-0 2014-15 11 71,500 6,500 11 11-0 2013-14 12 78,000 6,500 12 12-0 2012-13 13 84,500 6,500 13 9-4 2011-12 10 65,000 6,500 10 8-2 2010-11 10 65,000 6,500 10 9-1 2009-10 9 58,500 6,500 9 9-0 2008-09 13 84,500 6,500 13 13-0 2007-08 11 71,500 6,500 11 11-0 2006-07 9 58,500 6,500 9 7-2 2005-06 9 58,500 6,500 9 8-1 2004-05 13 84,500 6,500 13 12-1 2003-04 12 71,943 5,995 10 8-4 2002-03 9 58,500 6,500 9 8-1 2001-02 16 98,418 6,151 14 13-3 2000-01 13 82,173 6,321 12 10-3 1999-00 14 86,224 6,159 12 12-2 1998-99 12 78,000 6,500 12 11-1 1997-98 10 65,307 6,530 10 8-2 1996-97 10 65,621 6,562 10 9-1 1995-96 10 65,000 6,500 10 10-0 1994-95 11 71,500 6,500 11 10-1 1993-94 12 70,971 5,914 8 8-4 1992-93 11 68,500 6,227 5 5-6 1991-92 9 65,450 6,272 8 7-2 1990-91 8 52,000 6,500 8 3-5 1989-90 10 65,000 6,500 10 8-2 1988-89 13 80,580 6,198 11 10-3 1987-88 11 71,272 6,479 10 8-3 1986-87 14 88,435 6,317 11 8-6 1985-86 6 38,401 6,401 6 5- 1 Total 373 2,395,323 6,422 349 309-64 Justin Moore YEAR-BY-YEAR AT THE FINNERAN PAVILIONHOME COURT EDGE 2020-21 VILLANOVA BASKETBALL VILLANOVA BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE n 81 The Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia is Villanova’s home away from home and the site of some of its most exciting victories in recent seasons. Originally branded as the Core States Center - and later as the Wachovia Center - the facility has hosted Villanova games in every season since 1996-97. Prior to that, the Wildcats had used The Spectrum as a home court for selected home games each season. With the Finneran Pavilion undergoing a renovation in 2017-18, the Wells Fargo Center served as the Wildcats homecourt in its NCAA championship season. The Wildcats hosted 12 games at the Center, posting an 11-1 record that included a sellout crowd of 20,603 for the Wildcats’ 86-76 victory over Butler on Feb. 10, 2018. The Wildcats were 4-3 at the Center in 2019-20, including a 56-55 victory over No. 1 Kansas on Dec. 22. Villanova twice played before sellout crowds of more than 20,000. In addition to hosting the Wildcats, the facility has served as an NCAA Tournament site five times in its history (2001, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016). The Wells Fargo Center has undergone upgrades of its own in the offseason. It serves as the home of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. The Center hosted the 2001 NBA Finals, the 2002 NBA All-Star Game and the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. The building features a unique oval design which ensures no obstructed view seats for all 20,456 fans. It also houses the studios of NBC Sports Philadelphia (formerly known as Comcast SportsNet). VILLANOVA’S HOME AWAY FROM HOME VILLANOVA’S HOME AWAY FROM HOME IS THE WELLS FARGO CENTER IN SOUTH IS THE WELLS FARGO CENTER IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA. THE WILDCATS HAVE PHILADELPHIA. THE WILDCATS HAVE HOSTED HOME GAMES IN PHILADELPHIA HOSTED HOME GAMES IN PHILADELPHIA IN EVERY SEASON SINCE 1950.IN EVERY SEASON SINCE 1950. WELLS FARGO WELLS FARGO CENTERCENTER Philadelphia, Pa.HOME COURT EDGE 2020-21 VILLANOVA BASKETBALL 82 n VILLANOVA BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE Jermaine Samuels Jr. helped the Wildcats rally past Connecticut at the Wells Fargo Center in January 2020 Home Total Season Games Att. Avg. Sellouts Record 2019-20 7 117,475 16,782 2 4-3 2018-19 5 70,784 14,156 0 5-0 2017-18 12 151,575 12,361 1 11-1 2016-17 4 75,091 18,773 1 4-0 2015-16 3 45,866 15,289 1 2-1 2014-15 5 82,719 16,544 1 5-0 2013-14 4 65,092 16,273 0 3-1 2012-13 3 44,295 14,765 0 3-0 2011-12 5 68,839 13,767 0 1-4 2010-11 6 93,781 15,630 0 4-2 2009-10 5 95,005 19,001 2 3-2 2008-09* 3 57,885 19,295 2 1-2 2007-08** 4 76,070 19,018 0 1-3 2006-07 5 91,384 18,277 0 3-2 2005-06* 3 60,888 20,296 2 3-0 2004-05 3 47,362 15,787 1 2-1 2003-04 3 40,041 13,347 0 0-3 2002-03 4 53,098 13,275 0 1-3 2001-02 3 39,806 13,268 0 2-1 2000-01 2 27,300 13,650 0 2-0 1999-00 3 47,801 15,934 0 2-1 1998-99 3 50,466 16,822 0 2-1 1997-98 4 52,165 13,041 0 0-4 1996-97 3 56,627 18,876 2 1-2 Total 95 1,490,458 15,689 13 59-36 * Does not include two NCAA Tournament games played in the venue ** Does not include BIG EAST/SEC Invitational YEAR-BY-YEAR AT THE WELLS FARGO CENTER100th SEASON OF VILLANOVA BASKETBALL - A LOOK BACK 2020-21 VILLANOVA BASKETBALL VILLANOVA BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE n 83 Cole Swider Brandon Slater Kyle Lowry’s No.1 jersey was retired on Feb. 26, 2020 THE WILDCATS CELEBRATED THEIR 100TH SEASON OF MEN’S THE WILDCATS CELEBRATED THEIR 100TH SEASON OF MEN’S BASKETBALL IN 2019-20.BASKETBALL IN 2019-20. Saddiq BeyDhamir Cosby-Roundtree100th SEASON OF VILLANOVA BASKETBALL - A LOOK BACK 2020-21 VILLANOVA BASKETBALL 84 n VILLANOVA BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE Ryan Arcidiacono’s No. 15 jersey was retired on Feb. 12, 2020Collin Gillespie Jermaine SamuelsJeremiah Robinson-EarlBig East /Big FiveTHE BIG EAST CONFERENCE The 2020-21 academic year will be the eighth since the BIG EAST Conference began a new era by returning to its basketball-centric heritage. Since the league’s reconfig- uration in 2013, the BIG EAST has established itself as one of the nation’s exceptional Con- ferences and a leader in colle- giate athletics, taking a proac- tive role on national issues. Strong leadership is para- mount as college athletics con- tinues to face many significant challenges, exacerbated by the Coronavirus pandemic. Dynam- ic leadership has been a staple of the BIG EAST throughout its history. Val Ackerman, who previ- ously served as founding Presi- dent of the WNBA, President of USA Basketball and U.S. rep- resentative to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), was named the BIG EAST’s fifth Commissioner in 2013. Under her leadership, the BIG EAST has maintained its reputation for achievement at the highest lev- els and continued its influence on the national collegiate land- scape, with numerous confer- ence and campus administrators currently serving on important NCAA committees. Ackerman is one of the few sports executives who has held leadership positions in both men’s and women’s sports at the collegiate, pro- fessional, national team and internation- al level. For 2020-21, the BIG EAST has grown to 11 members. The University of Connecticut, a member of the confer- ence from 1979 to 2013, was officially readmitted on July 1, 2020. UConn brings a rich history of academic and athletic excellence, especially in the sport of basketball. The Huskies’ wom- en’s program won eight of its 11 nation- al championships as a BIG EAST mem- ber. The men’s team won three national titles under the BIG EAST umbrella and an additional crown in 2014. In its sports venues, the BIG EAST has produced 12 national champions over the past seven academic years. Seven BIG EAST teams have captured national titles, including two in men’s basketball. BIG EAST student-athletes have won national championships in five individual events. In the classrooms, 62 BIG EAST athletic programs were recognized in 2019-20 by the NCAA with Public Recognition Awards for outstanding academic achievement in the previous academic year. The BIG EAST ranked third among all Division I conferences in the overall APR rate and has con- sistently been ranked among the top three since reconfiguration in 2013. Outside of the arenas and playing fields, the BIG EAST has always ad- hered to an unwavering commitment to academic integrity, athletic excellence and community ser- vice while offering opportuni- ties to help student-athletes to reach their potential as stu- dents, athletes and leaders. In the summer of 2020, the conference launched “BE the Change,” a conference-wide advocacy platform that will en- able BIG EAST stakeholders to engage on a range of contem- porary racial and social justice issues. In December of 2012, De- Paul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Villanova announced their intention to separate from the conference’s FBS foot- ball-playing schools and form an independent association. The seven schools reached an agreement to retain the BIG EAST name and assume the conference’s long-term pact with Madison Square Garden to host the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament. The schools also announced the addition of three distinguished institutions — Butler, Creigh- ton and Xavier — and forged a landmark, long-term broadcast partnership with FOX Sports. The BIG EAST moved its head- quarters from its original location in Providence, R.I., to midtown Manhat- tan in New York City. The new era of- ficially began on July 1, 2013. The BIG EAST has been lauded as a longstanding leader in innovative con- cepts, particularly television, and that reputation continues with the confer- ence’s relationship with FOX Sports. The BIG EAST has enjoyed a success- ful multi-year partnership with FOX Sports and its national cable network FS1. FOX’s comprehensive coverage of BIG EAST men’s basketball includes the broadcast of all regular-season games on FOX, FS1, or FS2, as well as the BIG EAST Tournament at Madison Square Garden, college basketball’s longest-running postseason confer- ence tourney held at the same venue. BIG EAST institutions are located in Cole Swider rises up for a jumper in a win at Xavier 86 n BIG EAST | BIG FIVE 2020-21 VILLANOVA BASKETBALLTHE BIG EAST CONFERENCE eight of the nation’s 36 largest media markets, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., India- napolis, Hartford/New Haven, Cincin- nati and Milwaukee. FOX Sports platforms carry exten- sive coverage of women’s basketball regular-season play and the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament. Ev- ery Olympic sport championship is car- ried on a network or digital platform. The BIG EAST has also increased the visibility with the BIG EAST Digi- tal Network (BEDN). In 2014-15, the league became the first collegiate conference to be hosted on the FOX Sports mobile platform. For the sixth straight year, BEDN has aired live events with an emphasis on women’s basketball, soccer and Olympic sport regular-season and champion- ship events. Founded in 1979 by Dave Gavitt, the former Providence men’s basketball coach and ath- letic director, the BIG EAST Con- ference became a reality in May of 1979. Providence, St. John’s, Georgetown, Syracuse, Seton Hall, Connecticut and Boston College formed the original seven-school alliance, and the conference became an immedi- ate national power in men’s bas- ketball. While the composition of the BIG EAST has evolved, the focus of its schools has not changed, reflecting a tradi- tion of emphasizing academic strength and fair play. To complement its athlet- ic successes, the conference launched BIG EAST Serves in 2014 to align with the service missions of the member institu- tions. Initiatives housed under the BIG EAST Serves umbrella, the BIG EAST Career Consor- tium and the national partner- ship with the It’s On Us cam- paign against campus sexual assaults, reflect the conference’s commitment to developing the complete BIG EAST student- athlete and making a positive contribution to campus communities. The BIG EAST hosts a Well Being Fo- rum online series to help provide in- stitutional personnel with information, insights and basic training so they can better support the mental and physical health of their student-athletes. Commissioner Ackerman and the BIG EAST have taken a leadership role in Sport at the Service of Humanity, an initiative created by the Vatican’s Pon- tifical Council for Culture to focus on how sport and faith can drive positive social change. Ackerman was a dele- gate at the inaugural Vatican confer- ence and has served on an advisory committee to develop the framework and content for the initiative. The BIG EAST hosts Freshmen Fun- damentals, a unique program designed to assist men’s basketball student- athletes in the transition from high school to college and the elite level of BIG EAST basketball. The league hosts Transition Game for women’s basket- ball, which assists women’s basketball student-athletes in the transition from college player to emerging profession- al on and off the court. The conference crowns champions in 22 sports. In men’s basketball, all 10 teams participated in the postseason for the first time in conference his- tory in 2019. Men’s basketball teams have earned 32 NCAA invitations in six years (2014-2019), averaging 5.3 per season. BIG EAST men’s basketball pro- grams have enjoyed extraordinary success. Villanova has won NCAA Championships in 2018, 2016 and 1985. Georgetown and Marquette also have won the national title. Butler, DePaul, Providence, St. John’s and Seton Hall have all made the Final Four. The BIG EAST placed three men’s basketball teams in the 1985 Final Four — Georgetown, St. John’s and Vil- lanova—still the only time this has occurred in NCAA history. The BIG EAST has achieved recent success in other sports as well. The Georgetown men’s soccer team won the 2019 NCAA title. A BIG EAST team has won the NCAA women’s cross country championship four of the last 11 years (Vil- lanova twice, Providence and Georgetown once), with one runner-up finish (Providence). Georgetown’s women’s soccer team reached the College Cup in 2018 and 2016. As an affiliate member in field hockey, Con- necticut has won three national championships in seven years. Denver, an affiliate member in men’s lacrosse, won the NCAA crown in 2015. In the 41 years since the original league opened its doors, BIG EAST teams have won 42 national champion- ships in eight different sports with 145 student-athletes win- ning individual national titles in the league’s history. BIG EAST | BIG FIVE n 87 Jermaine Samuels battles for a rebound at Marquette 2020-21 VILLANOVA BASKETBALLNext >