Overview
- Villanova opened Big East play with a 16-0 run after halftime to build a lead that reached 20 at the Prudential Center.
- Freshman point guard Acaden Lewis led with 16 points and steady control, with Bryce Lindsay adding 15 and Matt Hodge 12.
- Seton Hall shot 33.3% as Budd Clark was hampered by early fouls and finished 1-for-11 for four points.
- The Pirates again missed freshman center Najai Hines, whom Shaheen Holloway cited as ill, exposing rebounding and rim-protection gaps.
- The Wildcats moved to 10-2 with a Quad 1 road win that lifted their metrics (KenPom to 24 and NET rising from 30), putting a Top 25 ranking in play.