‘Nova tourney hopes in jeopardy

Editor’s note:

Herald sports reporter Steve Hewitt is a voter in the Associated Press college basketball Top 25 poll. Every week through the end of the season, he’ll write a column providing some analysis and thoughts from his poll.

Beyond undefeated Gonzaga, there are many teams with a realistic shot to make the Final Four. Villanova, which has stayed in the Top 10 for most of this season, certainly falls in that group.

But the Wildcats’ chances took a massive hit last week.

In its win over Creighton, Villanova lost guard Collin Gillespie to a torn MCL, a brutal end to the senior’s career (if he doesn’t come back next season) and a big blow to the Wildcats’ hopes. Gillespie, a three-year starter at Villanova, was on the short list for Big East player of the year and it will challenge coach Jay Wright to adjust quickly.

Villanova, which won a national title in 2016 and 2018 under Wright, should never be counted out, but Gillespie’s loss came at the worst time as the Wildcats prepare for this week’s Big East tournament, and the NCAA Tournament next week. The immediate results weren’t positive for Villanova as it lost its first game without Gillespie to a struggling Providence team, which dropped the Wildcats from No. 10 to No. 14 in this week’s Top 25.

Without Gillespie, the Big East tournament is a little more wide open. UConn could certainly make a run in its first season back in the conference, especially with star James Bouknight back and making an impact.

Elsewhere, there was more chaos within the Big Ten last week. Michigan, which at one point looked unstoppable, lost to Illinois and Michigan State. The Illini suddenly look like the team to beat as wins over the Wolverines and Ohio State vaulted them to No. 3 this week. The Big Ten tournament will be a must-watch this week when it begins in Indianapolis.