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Villanova Tops Seton Hall 64-56 in Kevin Willard’s Emotional Return to Newark

Willard received a warm welcome at the Prudential Center, returning to the arena where he led Seton Hall for 12 seasons.

Overview

  • Villanova hit 10 of 23 from three-point range and controlled the second half to secure the Big East road win.
  • A 16-0 run after halftime pushed the Wildcats ahead by as many as 20 before Seton Hall narrowed the final margin.
  • Seton Hall was without freshman center Najai Hines for a second straight game due to illness, weakening its interior rotation.
  • Villanova’s defensive plan, featuring zone looks, held point guard Budd Clark to 1-for-11 shooting after early foul trouble.
  • A sellout crowd of 11,153 marked Willard’s return as Villanova improved to 10-2 and boosted its NET/KenPom profile, including a rise to No. 24 on KenPom by Tuesday night.