Villanova: As the entire nation celebrates Valentine’s day, we had a big East Battle going on as the Villanova Wildcats took on Butler Bulldogs from Finneran Pavilion on the campus of Villanova University. The Wildcats entered battle with the Bulldogs at 12-13 (6-8 in Big East) while Butler made their trip to the Mainline at 13-13 (5-10 in Big East).
Before the game, Villanova would hold a Moment of Silence to honor the shooting that happened at Michigan State
Before tonight game, #Villanova holds moment of Silence for the Shooting that happened at #MichiganState last night #NovavsButler pic.twitter.com/j92vk1kQVH
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) February 15, 2023
How the game went:
In the first half, both Villanova & Butler were ice cold to start the game. If you are the type that likes defensive basketball, this was your night to see. Neither Villanova nor Butler would have a lead of 5 or more points in the first half. The Wildcats would take a 25-24 lead into halftime on a shot by Caleb Daniels.
Daniels at the buzzer to put @NovaMBB on top 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fMECrgYwBR
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) February 15, 2023
In the second half, the Wildcats would find their shooting stroke and started to make the bulldogs pay as Daniels & Moore would make clutch shots. At one point in the second half, the Wildcats had a 47-40 lead with 7:28 left.
The Bulldogs would hang around and make this game very interesting as they cut it down to 3 at 48-45 with 6:13 left.
The Wildcats made the changes and went all out to finish off the bulldogs.
The Play of the game came with 1:20 left, when Villanova’s Brandon Slater had an “In your face” poster dunk that blew the roof off of Finneran Pavilion.
SLATER SLAM 😤 @NovaMBB pic.twitter.com/UUfDgsIwab
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) February 15, 2023
The crowd inside Finneran Pavilion react to the highlight of the dunk:
The Crowd at Finneran Pavilion react to #Villanova's Brandon Slater poster dunk#SCtop10 #NOVAvsButler pic.twitter.com/vEdP27hiox
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) February 15, 2023
The Wildcats would crush whatever hopes the Bulldogs had in a 62-50 win. They now have won 3 in a row, putting the rest of the Big East on notice with 5 games left in the regular season before heading to Madison Square Garden for the Big East Tournament.
Postgame:
Villanova Coach Kyle Neptune:
What I asked #Villanova Coach Kyle Neptune after tonight's win over Butler#NovavsButler #NovaNation pic.twitter.com/Uj8bioxdyX
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) February 15, 2023
What is next:
Villanova is now 13-13 (8-7 in Big East) and will look to make it 4 wins in a row as they head on the road for a battle with Providence on Saturday at 4:30 PM on FOX.
