Busting Brackets
Fansided

Villanova vs. Georgetown: 5 biggest storylines for first 2020-21 matchup

By Benjamin Zacher

Feb 26, 2020; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) is defended by St. John's Red Storm forward Marcellus Earlington (10) during the first half at Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2020; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) is defended by St. John's Red Storm forward Marcellus Earlington (10) during the first half at Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Memphis State’s Keith Lee, William Bedford and Andre Turner Villanova’s Harold Pressley 109 Masp Umbkb Fri5
Memphis State’s Keith Lee, William Bedford and Andre Turner Villanova’s Harold Pressley 109 Masp Umbkb Fri5 /

1. The Big East has produced some of the greatest long-time rivalries in college basketball – and this one is no exception

For the 87th time in collegiate basketball history, the Georgetown Hoyas and Villanova Wildcats will meet for another entry in one of the games’ oldest rivalries – and if last year’s match-ups were any indication, this one could be another close showdown.

Both Georgetown and Villanova sport two of the oldest basketball programs out there – Georgetown’s first recorded season was in 1906-07, while Villanova rolled out their first team in 1920-21.  The two programs would begin their intense rivalry the following season in 1921-22, where the Hoyas would come away with a 39-34 victory.

They would not meet again until 1945-46, and would meet at least 11 more times in the ensuing 30 years – by 1981, the Wildcats held a slight advantage in the all-time series, 6-7.  The Big East’s formation in 1979, with Georgetown on board – followed by Villanova’s commitment the following year – ensured that the two programs would meet on a regular basis.

Immediately, the rivalry between John Thompson and Rollie Massimino’s teams blossomed – and has survived without a hitch since then, even throughout the Big East’s crumble – and eventual revival – in 2013.  Without question, the greatest game in the series – and, subsequently, one of the greatest games in college basketball history – occurred in the NCAA Championship game in 1985.

That years Final Four saw an unmatched three teams from the same conference in Villanova, Georgetown, and St. John’s – with Memphis being the odd one out – but the title game was the most significant part of it.  The Wildcats – a Cinderella eighth-seeded squad led by Ed Pinckney – shot 78% to usurp the heavily-favored Hoyas, led by Patrick Ewing, in what has been considered one of – if not the – biggest upsets in basketball history, 66-64.

Georgetown continued to dominate the series, even into Jay Wright’s tenure – between 2007-2012, the Hoyas went 8-1 to take a 42-28 series lead.  But with Villanova’s gradual rise back to national stardom, the Hoyas have struggled.  Since Georgetown’s 21-point win in 2012, the Wildcats have gone 14-2 in the series, with Georgetown’s only wins coming in 2015 and 2019.

Only three of those losses have been by single-digits – the closest coming in the last meeting between the teams, in March of 2020.  The Hoyas fell in that game, 70-69, in a controversial conclusion – again, more on that in a bit.

After trailing by such a wide margin, the Wildcats have nearly tied one of the greatest rivalries in basketball history – a series that the Hoyas now maintain by just a two-win margin, 44-42.  With the exception of St. John’s and Seton Hall, Georgetown has not competed against a Big East opponent as many times as they have Villanova – and not for as long, either.

No matter the outcome of this game, whether it is close or a blowout, this should be one that is enjoyed for its historical relevance and importance to the game of basketball.  And, if the last meeting between these two teams is any indication, we could be in for a treat.