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Team: Villanova Wildcats
Conference: Big East
Coach: Jay Wright
Record: 28-4 (16-2 conference)
KenPom Rank: 4
Good Wins: Xavier, at Butler, at Providence.
Impact Players: Josh Hart has emerged as one of the most underrated players in the country in his junior year at Villanova. The guard has led the team with 15.6 points per game, and has added 7.1 rebounds per game as well.
Ryan Arcidiacono provides senior leadership, 12 points per game and leads the team with just under five assists per game. Kris Jenkins and Jalen Brunson have been huge as well, while Daniel Ochefu leads the team in rebounding but is currently battling an ankle injury.
How did they get in?: They've beaten the teams who they were supposed to beat. In fact, Villanova has beaten arguably every team that it was supposed to beat. The Wildcats only losses have come to Oklahoma, Virginia, Providence and Xavier. Every one of those teams was ranked at the time, and only one of them (Providence) was ranked outside the top 10 - that was the only loss at home, as well.
How far can this team go in the NCAA Tournament?: While they have shown they can win the games that they should win, cold shooting days have been a problem for Villanova in previous tournaments. It's still going to be interesting to see how they play with other top-ranked opponents. Nonetheless, if they can finally get past the first weekend of the tournament this year, the sky might be the limit.
Last time in the NCAA Tournament: 2015. A Third Round loss to North Carolina State bounced them early after a 30-win regular season and Big East Tournament title.