UConn, ’Nova to renew rivalry for next 3 years
One of the drawbacks of the breakup of the old Big East Conference was that it ended many traditional rivalries like those between Villanova, Connecticut and Syracuse.
Well, Villanova and UConn took a step to rectify that little matter. The schools will play three times over the next three seasons in an agreement that was announced Thursday.
The Wildcats will travel to Connecticut to play the Huskies at the XL Center in Hartford Jan. 20, 2018. The teams will play a neutral site game at Madison Square Garden Dec. 22, 2018 and conclude the series Jan. 18, 2020 at the Wells Fargo Center.
The rest of Villanova’s nonconference schedule is expected to be released in the coming weeks. The complete 2017-18 schedule, with dates, will be released in September.
“UConn and Villanova have enjoyed exciting games over a long history,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said. “This series honors the great tradition of Villanova and Connecticut basketball.
“Facing UConn was always a challenge and will be again. Coach (Kevin) Ollie was one of the toughest and smartest players in Big East history and he instills those same qualities in his team.”
The schools played 59 times from 1981-2013, with Villanova winning 31 of those games. The Wildcats and Huskies last met in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament in Buffalo. UConn won that game, 77-65, on its way to the national title.
“We are very excited to renew our series with Villanova,” Ollie said, “and especially pleased to be able to play one of the games in the tremendous basketball atmosphere of Madison Square Garden.
“We have had so many memorable games against Villanova over the years and Coach Wright obviously has one of the very best programs in the country. I know our fans will be thrilled to see the Wildcats back on our schedule.”