There was a fair amount of pressure on Coach Kyle Neptune and the Villanova Wildcats coming into this season to at least make the NCAA Tournament. But the non-con results nearly left them for dead, losing at home to Columbia and falling to St. Joe’s and Virginia.
However, the Wildcats rebounded a bit in the Big East, getting wins over UConn and St. John’s to stay on the bubble. But they couldn’t afford a loss to one of the bottom teams of the conference, which Georgetown (17-13, 8-11) has become since losing star freshman center Thomas Sorber (14.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg) for the season.
Jayden Epps for the win. #Hoyas pic.twitter.com/IqIslsllK5
— Patrick Waring (@WaringPatrick) March 5, 2025
In the regular season finale for Villanova, they had to find a way to win on the road. And it looked as if they had it, up by nine with under four minutes to go. Yet, as has been a theme for the Wildcats, they weren’t able to hang on, falling 75-73 in the final seconds to the Hoyas. Jayden Epps led the team with 20 points, including the final layup for the win.
It’s just a Quad 2 loss for Villanova (18-13, 11-9), but it was one they couldn’t afford. The overall resume includes just two Quad 1 victories and a combined three defeats in the Quad 3/4 range. With a NET ranking above 50, the Wildcats will have to do a lot of damage in the upcoming Big East Conference Tournament. They’re set to be the six seed and will play either UConn or Creighton in the quarterfinals, which is now a must-win for the program.
Kyle Neptune has to go. This is insane. pic.twitter.com/hzuhOOz1Cu
— CJ Dexter (@CJ_Dexter_) March 5, 2025
If Villanova were to lose, you have to assume that’s it for Neptune. Having an All-American caliber player (Eric Dixon) on the roster and missing the Big Dance for consecutive years isn’t acceptable for a program with two national championships within the last decade.
Time hasn’t completely run out on Neptune and Villanova but Georgetown put the potential final nail in their coffins.