Villanova Basketball Has Twice the Incentive To Win Big East Tournament Title

A lot of talking heads are saying even if Villanova does not win the Big East postseason tournament title the Wildcats deserve a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. None of those people play or coach at Villanova, though, and that is why the Wildcats are playing for the No. 1 seed instead.

The team took a big early step in that direction with a 84-49 win over Marquette at Madison Square Garden on Thursday afternoon. The stakes are that high for the now 30-2 and No. 4 Wildcats. Their case for a No. 1 seed is not as strong without a Big East conference title to go along with the regular-season title they have already won. If they win both, it’s hard to deny them a No. 1 spot.

Perhaps that’s why the Wildcats were so focused at a half-empty MSG on Thursday. Logically, the No. 4 team in the country — as the Wildcats have been for most of the month — should be a lock for one of the No. 1 spots, but the problem the Wildcats have faced is that five teams are ranked above them in RPI and those teams have not faltered. One of them eventually has to be in a tougher conference than the Big East, and if the Wildcats hold serve in New York, then they are into the lead spot of one bracket — at least that’s the thinking.

Under coach Jay Wright, the Wildcats have become the flagship program in the Big East, especially over 18 rugged games. Still, winning the tournament in New York is something that has eluded the program since 1995. The biggest hurdle since has been that first game. The Wildcats were a top seed last year and were eliminated in their opener by Seton Hall. They haven’t won more than one game in the tourney since 2004. Under Wright, Villanova lost the opener as a No. 4 seed in 2010 and as a No. 10 seed in 2011.

Marquette beating Seton Hall — one of the two teams to have beaten the Wildcats this season — in the first round on Wednesday certainly helped, but there are other hurdles ahead. Kentucky, Virginia and Duke seem locks for three of the top seeds, but Villanova has as good a chance as Arizona, Gonzaga and Wisconsin for the fourth spot and a better one if they can add a Big East tournament title to the regular-season one.

If they remain as focused in the days ahead as they appeared to be on Thursday afternoon, they move to the top of that class for the fourth and final No. 1 seed.

Mike Gibson is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.