VILLANOVA, Pa. – By the time Villanova knocked off its third top-five team of the season, a few things were clear on the Main Line.
A year after a 19-loss season, the Wildcats were headed back to the NCAA tournament.
And, the good times also were back at Villanova — along with a heap of expectations that this season would only be better.
Coach Jay Wright erased the worst season in Villanova history with a 20-14 mark last season, four wins over Top 25 teams and a surprising berth in the NCAA tournament. That the season ended with 78-71 loss to North Carolina in the second round wasn't as much a disappointment as it was the first step toward rebuilding the program into regular March contenders.
The Wildcats open the season Nov. 8 vs. Lafayette.
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