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Staley Wins USBWA Coach of Year

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INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – (Staff Report from Official USBWA News Release) – Dawn Staley, the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year who has her South Carolina team back in the Final Four for a second consecutive season and contending for the program’s second national championship, is the USBWA National Coach of the Year for the second time in three seasons. Staley has the SEC-champion Gamecocks (33-2) playing in their fourth Final Four this weekend, each of them under her leadership, following a national semifinal loss to eventual champion Stanford a year ago. In the 2019-20 season, Staley’s Gamecocks were 32-1 before Covid forced the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament.

Staley will formally receive the award at the upcoming USBWA College Basketball Awards Banquet in St. Louis on April 11, hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club. A member of both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (inducted in 2012) and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2013), Staley just finished advancing South Carolina through its eighth straight Sweet 16 appearance and the program’s ninth within its 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament under her guidance.

South Carolina, the top seed in the Greensboro Regional, faces Wichita Regional top-seed Louisville in the first national semifinal at 7 p.m. ET Friday. The Spokane Regional top seed, Stanford, faces Bridgeport Regional two-seed UConn in the second semifinal at 9:30 p.m. ET in Minneapolis. South Carolina and Stanford, whose head coach Tara VanDerveer was last season’s USBWA National Coach of the Year, could stage a rematch in this year’s title game if both advance Friday.

Staley has coached a USBWA All-American in seven of the past eight seasons and in 10 seasons overall. Staley was this season’s SEC Coach of the Year, her fifth such honor, and led the Gamecocks to their sixth SEC regular-season championship of the last nine seasons and the second of the last three. The Gamecocks’ 33-2 record includes a national-best 12 wins over top-25 opponents – by an average of 13.5 points – and a 15-1 mark in SEC action.

This season Staley coached junior forward Aliyah Boston to a third straight USBWA All-America season – the last two on the first-team – as the SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, her third straight season earning that award. Senior guard Destanni Henderson, a third-team USBWA All-American, was also named All-SEC First Team and junior guard Zia Cooke made the All-SEC Second Team in a conference that sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament and three others to the WNIT.

South Carolina put on an historic defensive performance in the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament this month, setting tournament first- and second-round records for fewest points allowed in a single game (21 vs. Howard, 3/18/22), in a half (4 vs. Howard, 1st, 3/18/22) and in the first two rounds combined (54).

In her 22nd season as a head coach, her 14th in Columbia, Staley has taken a team to the NCAA Tournament 16 times. She is 30-14 at the event, including a 28-8 mark and the 2017 national championship at South Carolina. Other National Coach of the Year winners from the SEC are Vic Schaefer (Mississippi State, 2018-19), Pokey Chatman (2004-05), Andy Landers (Georgia, 1999-2000), Pat Summitt (Tennessee, 1997-98) and Jim Foster (Vanderbilt, 1992-93).

The USBWA has selected a women’s national coach of the year since the 1989-90 season. The award is voting on by the entire memberhip and is based on regular-season performance.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected a women’s All-America team since the 1996-97 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485. For additional info about covering the awards banquet, contact Jim Wilson with the MAC (314-539-4488).

ALL-TIME USBWA NATIONAL COACHES OF THE YEAR
1989-90 Tara VanDerveer, Stanford
1990-91 Debbie Ryan, Virginia
1991-92 Christine Weller, Maryland
1992-93 Jim Foster, Vanderbilt
1993-94 Ceal Barry, Colorado
1994-95 Geno Auriemma, UConn
1995-96 Leon Barmore, Louisiana Tech
1996-97 Wendy Lary, Old Dominion
1997-98 Pat Summitt, Tennessee
1998-99 Carolyn Peck, Purdue
1999-00 Andy Landers, Georgia
2000-01 Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame
2001-02 Brenda Oldfield (Frese), Minnesota
2002-03 Geno Auriemma, UConn
2003-04 Joe Curl, Houston
2004-05 Pokey Chatman, LSU
2005-06 Sylvia Hatchell, North Carolina
2006-07 Gail Goestenkors, Duke
2007-08 Geno Auriemma, UConn
2008-09 Geno Auriemma, UConn
2009-10 Connie Yori, Nebraska
2010-11 Kim Mulkey, Baylor
2011-12 Kim Mulkey, Baylor
2012-13 Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame
2013-14 Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame
2014-15 Courtney Banghart, Princeton
2015-16 Geno Auriemma, UConn
2016-17 Geno Auriemma, UConn
2017-18 Vic Schaefer, Mississippi State
2018-19 Kim Mulkey, Baylor
2019-20 Dawn Staley, South Carolina
2020-21 Tara VanDerveer, Stanford
2021-22 Dawn Staley, South Carolina

Lloyd Wins USBWA Coaching Award

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INDIANAPOLIS – (Staff Report from Official USBWA News release) – Arizona first-year head coach Tommy Lloyd led the Wildcats to the Pac-12 Conference championship and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. For his smashing debut guiding Arizona to 33 wins and into the Sweet 16, Lloyd has been named the winner of the 2021-22 Henry Iba Award, given annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to its national coach of the year.

Lloyd, who will formally receive the award at the upcoming USBWA College Basketball Awards Banquet in St. Louis on April 11 hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club, is the first Arizona coach to earn the honor and the first from the Pac-12 since Tony Bennett at Washington State in 2007. He’s only the fifth Pac-12 coach to earn the Henry Iba Award, joining UCLA legend John Wooden (a six-time winner in 1964, ’67, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73), Pete Newell (California, 1960) and Ralph Miller (Oregon State, 1981).

Arizona (33-4) ascended to several success marks during Lloyd’s first season in Tucson. The Wildcats finished the season 17-0 at home, the 13th time they have finished a season undefeated in the 49-year history of the McKale Center. Arizona’s 19-game home win streak is the longest active streak in the Pac-12 and the third-longest in Division I heading into next season. The ‘Cats won nine road games for the first time since 2016-17 and were 7-0 in neutral site games.

Lloyd is the ninth first-time head coach in NCAA history to win 30 games in year one and joined UCLA’s Gary Cunningham (1977-78) as the only first-time head coaches in the Pac-12 to win 25 of their first 27 games. Lloyd is alone as the only Pac-12 coach to start 15-1 or better in conference play. Arizona’s 18-2 Pac-12 record that won the conference by a three-game margin over runner-up UCLA is also the best-ever for a first-year coach in conference.

Lloyd, 46, joins Bill Guthridge (North Carolina in 1998) and Bill Hodges (Indiana State in 1979) as the only head coaches to earn a No. 1 seed in their first season as head coach. The 33 wins – Arizona fell to Houston in last weekend’s Sweet 16 – are tied for third-most in program history and left Lloyd one shy of tying Guthridge for the most by a first-time head coach in NCAA history.

The style of play Lloyd brought to Arizona also produced record marks in various statistical categories. UA led the nation in total assists (714), assists per game (19.8) and total rebounds (1,496). The ‘Cats scored 80 or more points 28 times and were undefeated in those games. School records for assists (714) and blocked shots (207) fell. In its final win against TCU in the NCAA’s second round, Arizona scored 52 points in the paint, the 25th game this year for it to score 40-plus paint points – the most by any Pac-12 team in the last 15 seasons.

Arizona produced a second-team USBWA All-America selection in sophomore guard Bennedict Mathurin, also the Pac-12 Player of the Year. The conference’s John R. Wooden Coach of the Year, Lloyd also coached the Pac-12’s Defensive Player of the Year (center Christian Koloko), Most Improved Player of the Year (Koloko) and Sixth Man of the Year (Pelle Larsson). Koloko, Mathurin and forward Azuolas Tubelis earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honors and Kokolo and guard Dalen Terry were on the All-Defensive Team.

Also of note is in his first semester as head coach last fall, Arizona’s men’s team posted a team GPA of 3.04, the best team GPA for a semester in the history of the program with 11 players having a 3.0 or better.

Lloyd was an assistant coach at Gonzaga for 20 seasons before coming to Arizona. At Gonzaga he helped to develop 19 All-Americans and 15 conference players of the year and contributed to five straight 30-win seasons and two appearances in the national championship game.

The Henry Iba Award is named in honor of the legendary coaching great at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) who won two NCAA championships and two gold medals and one silver as coach of the U S. Olympic teams. Iba held the dual position of basketball coach and athletic director until he retired in 1970. He was elected to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Missouri Hall of Fame, the Helms Foundation All-Time Hall of Fame for basketball, and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at Springfield, Mass. Henry Iba passed away in 1993 in Stillwater, Okla.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485. For additional info about covering the awards banquet, contact Jim Wilson with the MAC (314-539-4488).

ALL-TIME USBWA NATIONAL COACHES OF THE YEAR
1958-59    Eddie Hickey, Marquette (Independent)
1959-60    Pete Newell, California (AAWU)
1960-61    Fred Taylor, Ohio State (Big Ten)
1961-62    Fred Taylor, Ohio State (Big Ten)
1962-63    Ed Jucker, Cincinnati (Missouri Valley)
1963-64    John Wooden, UCLA (AAWU)
1964-65    Butch Van Breda Kolff, Princeton (Ivy League)
1965-66    Adolph Rupp, Kentucky (SEC)
1966-67    John Wooden, UCLA (AAWU)
1967-68    Guy Lewis, Houston (Independent)
1968-69    Maury John, Drake (Missouri Valley)
1969-70    John Wooden, UCLA (Pac-8)
1970-71    John Wooden, UCLA (Pac-8)
1971-72    John Wooden, UCLA (Pac-8)
1972-73    John Wooden, UCLA (Pac-8)
1973-74    Norm Sloan, N.C. State (ACC)
1974-75    Bob Knight, Indiana (Big Ten)
1975-76    Johnny Orr, Michigan (Big Ten)
1976-77    Eddie Sutton, Arkansas (Southwest)
1977-78    Ray Meyer, DePaul (Independent)
1978-79    Dean Smith, North Carolina (ACC)
1979-80    Ray Meyer, DePaul (Independent)
1980-81    Ralph Miller, Oregon State (Pac-10)
1981-82    John Thompson, Georgetown (Big East)
1982-83    Lou Carnesecca, St. John’s (Big East)
1983-84    Gene Keady, Purdue (Big Ten)
1984-85    Lou Carnesecca, St. John’s (Big East)
1985-86    Dick Versace, Bradley (Missouri Valley)
1986-87    John Chaney, Temple (Atlantic 10)
1987-88    John Chaney, Temple (Atlantic 10)
1988-89    Bob Knight, Indiana (Big Ten)
1989-90    Roy Williams, Kansas (Big 8)
1990-91    Randy Ayers, Ohio State (Big Ten)
1991-92    Perry Clark, Tulane (Metro)
1992-93    Eddie Fogler, Vanderbilt (SEC)
1993-94    Charlie Spoonhour, Saint Louis (Great Midwest)
1994-95    Kelvin Sampson, Oklahoma (Big 8)
1995-96    Gene Keady, Purdue (Big Ten)
1996-97    Clem Haskins, Minnesota (Big Ten)
1997-98    Tom Izzo, Michigan State (Big Ten)
1998-99    Cliff Ellis, Auburn (SEC)
1999-00    Larry Eustacy, Iowa State (Big 12)
2000-01    Al Skinner, Boston College (Big East)
2001-02    Ben Howland, Pittsburgh (Big East)
2002-03    Tubby Smith, Kentucky (SEC)
2003-04    Phil Martelli, St. Joseph’s (Atlantic 10)
2004-05    Bruce Weber, Illinois (Big Ten)
2005-06    Roy Williams, North Carolina (ACC)
2006-07    Tony Bennett, Washington State (Pac-10)
2007-08    Keno Davis, Drake (Missouri Valley)
2008-09    Bill Self, Kansas (Big 12)
2009-10    Jim Boeheim, Syracuse (Big East)
2010-11    Mike Brey, Notre Dame (Big East)
2011-12    Frank Haith, Missouri (Big 12)
2012-13    Jim Larrañaga, Miami, Fla. (ACC)
2013-14    Gregg Marshall, Wichita State (Missouri Valley)
2014-15    Tony Bennett, Virginia (ACC)
2015-16    Chris Mack, Xavier (Big East)
2016-17    Mark Few, Gonzaga (West Coast)
2017-18    Tony Bennett, Virginia (ACC)
2018-19    Rick Barnes, Tennessee (SEC)
2019-20    Anthony Grant, Dayton (Atlantic 10)
2020-21    Juwan Howard, Michigan (Big Ten)
2021-22    Tommy Lloyd, Arizona (Pac-12)

BIG EAST: Villanova Reppin’ Again

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SAN ANTONIO – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – For the third time since 2016, Villanova will play in the Final Four. The Wildcats became the NCAA South Region champions after a 50-44 victory over Houston this past Saturday in Texas. Villanova forward Jermaine Samuels was named the South Region Most Outstanding Player. Coach Jay Wright’s second-seeded team defeated Michigan 63-55 in the regional semifinals.

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Villanova will meet Kansas in the national semifinals this Saturday. On their way to the NCAA crown in 2018, the Wildcats beat the Jayhawks 95-79 in the same round. Villanova got off to a 22-4 start en route to the victory. Back in 2016, Villanova beat Kansas 64-59 in the South Region final.

Overall, BIG EAST teams own a 12-6 record in national semifinal contests not including when a BIG EAST team faced another league squad in 1985 and 1987. Villanova is 3-1, winning in 1985, 2016 and 2018 while losing in 2009.

Villanova will be without All-Big East guard Justin Moore in their Final Four lineup. Moore fell to the floor with a non-contact leg injury late in Saturday’s Elite Eight win over Houston. On Sunday, he was diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon. Villanova announced that he’s scheduled for surgery this week and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Celtics: Fund Raiser #Move4Heather

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#MOVE4HEATHER – Those connected to the Boston Celtics, the New England sports scene and the NBA’s extended Public Relations family are circling April 11 on their calendars for a night to help Celtics VP Heather Walker and her family as Ms. Walker fights a very tough battle against an opponent no NBAers wish to face. In July, 2021, Walker was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare brain cancer.

Upon the news of the diagnosis, Walker and her inner circle of family and friends, created the #Move4Heather Challenge to support the Heather Walker Glioblastoma Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Boston-area hospital where she is being treated. All proceeds will directly benefit Dr. David Reardon’s glioblastoma research.

The April 11th function at West End Johnnies, a full-sized restaurant and bar one block from TD Garden and a place Heather Walker regularly organized team functions for the USO and military families to pick-up tickets donated by Celtics’ season ticket holders, will now be raising money to assist in the clinical trials Walker has been undergoing since the summer.

There will be all kinds of auction items from the National and New England sports franchises but also just some time to get reacquainted with friends to celebrate life in the Year 2022.

Red Sox Ink Story – Officially

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – A week after news broke of the acquisition, the Boston Red Sox officially signed infielder Trevor Story to a six-year contract through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028. To make room for Story on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated outfielder Jeisson Rosario for assignment.

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Story, 29, was named a National League All-Star in 2018 and 2019, winning the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop in each season. He finished in the top 12 in NL Most Valuable Player voting in three consecutive years from 2018-20, including a career-best eighth in 2018. In 745 games for the Colorado Rockies (2016-21), the right-handed hitter has batted .272 (768-for-2,822) with 158 home runs, 450 RBI, 100 stolen bases, and an .863 OPS. Among active major leaguers with at least 500 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers, he ranks first in slugging percentage (.621) and third in OPS (1.002) while batting .308 (242-for-786).

In 142 games for the Rockies last season, Story batted .251 (132-for-526) with an .801 OPS, 24 home runs, 75 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. The Texas native has hit at least 20 home runs in each of his five 162-game seasons and stolen at least 20 bases three times. He is one of only two players to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 20 bases in each of the last three 162-game seasons (2018-19, ’21), joining Cleveland’s José Ramírez. In 2018, he became the first shortstop in major league history to record at least 40 doubles, 30 home runs, and 25 stolen bases in a season. Story joins Alex Rodriguez as the only shortstops ever to hit at least 30 home runs and steal 20 bases in multiple seasons.

Originally selected by the Rockies in first round (45th overall) of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Irving (TX) High School, Story totaled six home runs in his first four major league games in 2016 and went on to finish fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. According to FanGraphs, his 69 defensive runs saved from 2016-21 ranked third among major leaguers at shortstop, trailing only Andrelton Simmons (99) and Nick Ahmed (73). In five career Postseason games, Story is 7-for-22 (.318) with two doubles and one home run.

Celtics Tatum Named NBA Player of Week

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official NBA News Release) – Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played March 14-20. It’s the second time this month and third time in the 2021-22 season that he has received the conference’s weekly award.

Tatum produced 29.3 points on 59.2% shooting (57.1% 3-PT, 93.3% FT), to go along with 7.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in three road games – all Celtics wins – at Golden State (March 16), Sacramento (March 18), and Denver (March 20). He was one of four Eastern Conference players to average 29.0 points and 7.0 rebounds, and the only one of that group to shoot at least 52.0% from the field. The fifth-year pro and three-time all star reached the 30-point mark in each of the last two games of the week, shooting 69.7% from the field and 13-of-20 from beyond the arc during that stretch.

In 68 games this season (all starts), Tatum is averaging career highs in points (26.9), rebounds (8.2), and assists (4.3). He is one of seven NBA players producing at least 26.0 points and 8.0 rebounds this season.

Red Sox Add Two Pitchers

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox added left-handed pitcher Derek Holland and right-handed pitcher Hansel Robles to the team’s 2022 Spring Training roster as non-roster invitees. The Sox have now invited 27 players to Major League Spring Training camp as non-roster invitees.

Holland, 35, went 3-2 with a 5.07 ERA (28 ER/49.2 IP) in 39 appearances (one start) for the Detroit Tigers in 2021, posting a 0.64 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) and 0.79 WHIP in his final 11 outings. Over his 13-year Major League career, the left-hander owns an 82-83 record and 4.64 ERA (753 ER/1,466.0 IP) in 346 appearances (228 starts) for the Texas Rangers (2009-2016), Chicago White Sox (2017), San Francisco Giants (2018-19), Chicago Cubs (2019), Pittsburgh Pirates (2020), and Tigers (2021). Selected by Texas in the 25th round of the 2006 June Draft, Holland is 3-1 with a 5.02 ERA (21 ER/37.2 IP) in 14 Postseason appearances (five starts). In Game 4 of the 2011 World Series, he earned the win with 8.1 scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. He launched the 60 Feet 6 Foundation in 2015, a non-profit organization that helps raise awareness and offer direct support for debilitating pediatric diseases.

Robles, 31, appeared in 72 games between the Minnesota Twins and Red Sox last season, recording 14 saves with a 4.43 ERA (34 ER/69.0 IP) and 76 strikeouts. After being acquired by Boston on July 30, the right-hander made 27 appearances and finished with a 3.60 ERA (10 ER/25.0 IP), four saves and 33 strikeouts for the Red Sox. From August 30 to October 2, he appeared in 15 games and did not allow a run (13.2 IP), holding opponents to a .111 batting average (5-for-45) with a 0.73 WHIP and 11.20 strikeouts per nine innings in that time. Originally signed by the New York Mets as an international free agent in 2008, Robles has pitched in 385 major league games (one start) with the Mets (2015-18), Los Angeles Angels (2018-20), Twins (2021), and Red Sox (2021), going 27-23 with 41 saves and a 4.00 ERA (179 ER/402.2 IP).

Bruins Extend Lindolm Contract

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Bruins agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension with defenseman Hampus Lindholm, said Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney in a statement. The deal will call for an annual cap hit of $6,500,000.

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Lindholm, 28, was acquired by the Bruins on March 19 along with  Kodie Curran in exchange for defensemen Urho Vaakanainen and John Moore, a 2022 first-round draft pick, a 2023 second-round draft pick and a 2024 second-round draft pick.

As part of the deal, the Anaheim Ducks retained 50-percent of Lindholm’s salary.

The 6-foot-4, 216-pound defenseman has tallied five goals and 17 assists for 22 points in 61 games for the Anaheim this season. The Helsingborg, Sweden native has appeared in 582 NHL games with Anaheim, totaling 57 goals and 165 assists for 222 points.

Lindholm was originally selected by Anaheim in the first round (6th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

 

Bruins Add to D – Acquire Lindholm

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official Team News Release) – The Boston Bruins acquired defenseman Hampus Lindholm and defenseman Kodie Curran from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen, defenseman John Moore, a 2022 first-round draft pick, a 2023 second-round draft pick and a 2024 second-round draft pick. The Anaheim Ducks will retain 50% of Lindholm’s salary.

Lindholm, 28, has tallied five goals and 17 assists for 22 points in 61 games this season. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound defenseman has appeared in 582 NHL games with Anaheim, totaling 57 goals and 165 assists for 222 points. The Helsingborg, Sweden native was originally selected by Anaheim in the first round (6th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Curran, 32, has appeared in 37 games this season for the San Diego Gulls, recording 1 goal and 15 assists for 16 points. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman was signed as a free agent by Anaheim on June 3, 2020.

Vaakanainen, 23, has recorded four assists in 15 games for the Bruins this season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman has appeared in 31 career NHL games with Boston. The Joenssu, Finland native was originally selected by Boston in the first round (18th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Moore, 31, has appeared in seven games for the Bruins this season. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound defenseman has recorded one assist and a plus-two rating. The Winnetka, IL native has appeared in 544 career NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Ranges, Arizona Coyotes, New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins, tallying 38 goals and 80 assists for 118 points. Moore was originally select by Columbus in the first round (21st overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Six Big East Teams Join “Big Dance”

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Six BIG EAST Teams Going Dancin’

PHILADELPHIA – Villanova, Providence and UConn earned top-five seeds when the NCAA Selection Show was broadcast Sunday night, while Creighton, Marquette and Seton Hall are each set to compete in the NCAA Tournament beginning Thursday. Villanova, the BIG EAST Tournament champion, earned a No. 2 seed, while Providence, the regular-season champion, is a No. 4 seed. UConn claimed a No. 5 seed, followed by Creighton and Seton Hall as No. 8 seeds and Marquette as a No. 9 seed.

No. 2 Seed Villanova Wears Big East Title Crown, (Again)

The eighth-ranked and second-seeded Villanova Wildcats earned a trio of hard fought victories in the 40th BIG EAST Tournament presented by Jeep played at Madison Square Garden to win the sixth BIG EAST Championship in program history. After a ferocious comeback moved the Wildcats past St. John’s 66-65 in the quarterfinals, Villanova edged UConn 63-60 in the semifinals. In the finals, Villanova outlasted Creighton 54-48 in a dramatic showdown to improve to 5-1 in the tournament finals since conference realignment. The ‘Cats guard Collin Gillespie won the Dave Gavitt Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player.

BIG EAST Fans Flocked to The Garden

NEW YORK – The BIG EAST Tournament was a sellout at Madison Square Garden for four of the five sessions on March 9-12. The attendance for the four sellouts was 19,812. The Garden was filled to 97.3 capacity over the four days. The BIG EAST
was playing its tournament at the World’s Most Famous Arena for the 40th straight year. It is the longest running conference tournament played at the same venue. The sight of thousands of UConn fans entering MSG brought back all the memories of years gone past.

BIG EAST Averages More Than Five Team Bids Per Year

With six NCAA bids in 2022, the BIG EAST has received a total of 42 NCAA
Tournament invitations since reconfiguration in 2013-14, averaging 5.3 per
season. That average discounts 2020 when the NCAA Tournament was not
played. Villanova won the national championship in 2018 and 2016. The BIG
EAST earned a high of seven NCAA bids in 2017.

Villanova has the Top Nine-Year Record of Teams

In the last nine seasons since conference realignment, Villanova has the best record in conference play with a 130-31 (.808) mark. The Wildcats have won or shared seven of the nine regular-season titles. Providence won outright this season and Xavier won outright in 2017-18.