Villanova Wildcats

Villanova Wildcats
Commonly known as the Wildcats, the Villanova University's representative team has fielded a basketball team since the 1920-21 season and is a member of the Big East Conference and the Philadelphia Big Five. The Villanova Wildcats have appeared 28 times in the NCAA Tournament. They appeared as Final Four in 1939, 1971, and 1985, and were National Champions in 1985. In the NIT, Villanova has appeared 17 times, winning in 1994, and won the Big East Tournament in 1995. Villanova appeared in the 2007-2008 season with an unprecedented winning percentage of .637, placing the Wildcats 20th among all NCAA Division I basketball programs.

Villanova began its varsity basketball program in 1920. Michael Saxe coached for six seasons, from 1920-1926, gathering a 64-30 record (.681). John Cashman coached three seasons, from 1926-1929, gathering a 21-21 record (.447). George Jacobs coached seven seasons, from 1929-1936, and gave a 62-56 record (.525).

In 1920 the team played its first game in Alumni Hall taking place on Villanova's campus, beating Catholic University 43-40. In the beginning years, Villanova's home courts were Alumni Hall and West Catholic High School. The Wildcats moved into the Villanova Field House, now recognized as the Jake Nevin Field House in 1932. Villanova also played many home games at the Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania beginning in 1929. The Wildcats played their home games in both the Villanova Field House and the Palestra until 1986.

From 1936 to 1961, Villanova was coached by Alexander Severance for 25 seasons. It was under the guidance of Coach Severance that Villanova's basketball program rose to fame and distinction. Severance compiled a 413-201 record (.673).The 1939 team won the first ever NCAA Tournament game, which put them in the first Final Four. Severance led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament again in 1949, 1951, and 1955. Villanova achieved the NIT bids in 1959 and 1960.