In a nail-biting finish, Villanova narrowly defeated DePaul with a final score of 58-57, thanks to Justin Moore's game-winning three-pointer in the closing seconds. This victory was pivotal for Villanova's NCAA tournament aspirations, as they were a 24-point favorite going into the game. DePaul, on a losing streak since their last win on December 30, 2023, and ending the season 0-21 in the Big East, nearly secured their first conference win as a 24.5-point underdog. The win holds particular significance for Moore, who has been striving for consistency following an Achilles injury during the 2022 Final Four run. Despite the victory, Villanova's struggle against DePaul, a team with a 0-20 Big East record, has sparked debate regarding their NCAA tournament qualifications.
Kyle Neptune: "Thank God for Justin Moore." You have to be happy for Moore, who had the achilles injury during the run to the 2022 Final Four and has been up and down ever since. Good for him to have that moment.
"BIG TIME ONIONS!" - Bill Raftery 🏀🧅🎙️ https://t.co/lXBLABX7JT
mind you depaul was 0-19 in big east conference play - nova almost tricked it 😅 https://t.co/1YZyWrVdCu
If the NCAA Tournament expands, remember, more mediocrity like Villanova will be in, and great mid-major stories like Indiana State will be out. https://t.co/ZlBgSs55PI
DePaul was just one stop away from getting their first Big East win as a 24.5-point underdog against Villanova 😭 https://t.co/7RB3321LtP
We are LIVE at Stadium Swim @CircaLasVegas reacting to a WILD day in hoops * Nova survives * Louisville and West Virginia next coaches * Bubble talk * Thursday preview LOCK IN 🔒🔒 https://t.co/8ZBS38RkPP
Justin Moore saves Villanova's season with a huge 3. DePaul was 3-28 on the regular season and hadn't won since Dec. 30. The Wildcats, who are on the bubble anyway, could not have survived this loss. https://t.co/eXqrUrnniG
What a wild ending and big win for @NovaMBB! https://t.co/WWaq3Lw7BU
JUSTIN MOORE. VILLANOVA SURVIVES 😱 https://t.co/M9wiE16Rt8
Not sure which was less likely between the idea of DePaul hiring Porter Moser or the idea of DePaul beating Villanova, but to see both of those dreams go up in smoke in a 48-hour span is a fitting end to a season that finishes at 0-21 in Big East games. https://t.co/WSHw8Z6oUC
JUSTIN MOORE HITS THE GAME WINNING THREE FOR NOVA 🥶 https://t.co/MeuoMu52Cm
JUSTIN MOORE SAVES VILLANOVA’S SEASON 🤯🤯🤯 https://t.co/fMcUfEwHCx
Villanova survives 3-28 (0-20) DePaul to keep its NCAA Tournament dreams alive @MarkTitusShow https://t.co/p1lMMxkwgz
WHAT A DAGGER BY JUSTIN MOORE 🔥 @NovaMBB https://t.co/jYLfzQjYRz
Justin Moore saving Villanova’s NCAA tourney hopes with a game-winner over DePaul. Pretty sure Indiana State wouldn’t struggle with DePaul.
Me begging for that Rodrigo De Paul o1.5 Fouls earlier today https://t.co/YPD234ZVUv
So you want your dream job? Nova down 2 to DePaul… they lose, I dunno what you do with Kyle Neptune.. but Moore hits a 3 and Nova survives. They probably win the BE Tourney now
NOVA SURVIES! @NovaMBB took the lead with 8.8 left in the game and held on for the win! https://t.co/6a0WEOdsvR
Even the Big East Tournament games with DePaul delivers. What an ending. Villanova was that close to a historically awful loss.
Nova hits a 3 with 8 secs left and then DePaul DePauls to lose the game. That was rough.
Nova! Championship Week always delivers. The only better appetizer: Crab rangoon.
JUSTIN. MOORE. Onions. Double order. Nova survives.
SURVIVE AND ADVANCE 🤩 @NovaMBB defeats DePaul in a thriller in the Garden. https://t.co/DKP91QFlwo
OH MY GOD JUSTIN MOORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Onions! Huge game-winning 3-pointer from Justin Moore to lead Villanova over DePaul 58-57. Kyle Neptune's seat would've gotten a heck of a lot warmer had they lost. https://t.co/BU7eqYJny5
That’s how you go 3-29. LOL. https://t.co/o4pf70Skku
Villanova wins on a Justin Moore three with 8.8 seconds left. DePaul's last possession fizzled. That should still leave a mark on 'Nova's NCAA resume. All things considered, that is a terrible win.
I honest to God feel bad for DePaul. Deserved to win that game.
Justin Moore! Saves Villanova’s season!
We are going LIVE from @stadiumswim as soon as this DePaul-Nova game goes final. Talking bubbleN WVU and Louisville Jobs and so much more. INSANE day. Join us https://t.co/8VrGZ0cwgw https://t.co/sf3c1anbli
Well get ready for some tournament expansion with even more of those mediocre Power Six teams in the near future! https://t.co/4m9cjmqGvK
Villanova a 24-point favorite over 3-28 DePaul … down two with 23.2 to go on FS1. Get thee to it.
Villanova was a 24 point favorite in this game. Trails by two with 38 seconds to play. Season on the line.
DePaul set a Big East record by going 0-20 this season Their last win of any kind came on Dec. 30, 2023 Now they're up 57-55 on Villanova under 40 seconds left https://t.co/nLhwUevMXZ
DePaul up 57-55 with the ball, 37.7 seconds left, 17 on the shot. The Blue Demons might pull a massive upset in a game in which they're shooting 37 percent.
Back and forth we go! @DePaulHoops leads with 37.7 left 👀 📺: FS1 https://t.co/GUndHfRK6x
Villanova. Another team that belongs nowhere near the NCAA tournament. Man the bubble is so bad this year (feels like I say this every year)
Eric Dixon with a huge one
DePaul — 0-20 in the Big East — leads Villanova 55-52 with 1:52 left at MSG. On FS1 if you dare
DePaul leads 55-52 with 1:52 left. I cannot believe this.
Villanova might be eliminated just for playing a close game with DePaul. Only half kidding.
Not only should Villanova be disqualified from this year's NCAA Tournament but they should be banned for two years if they lose to DePaul
Thoughts and prayers for Villanova fans rn
Villanova leads 52-50 with 3:41 to go. What's left of the MSG crowd has, predictably, aligned itself with the Blue Demons. 'Nova's season is on the line in these 201 seconds.
Jalen Terry pulling up from deep trying to have his MSG heat check moment for a 3-win DePaul team against a bubble squad. Peak sports.
Even if Villanova wins this game it deserves NO spot in the NCAA Tournament. None. This is DePaul. You were favored by 22.
Villanova looking to play its way off the bubble and out of the NCAA tournament emphatically, losing to DePaul with 12:09 left in the second half.
Madison Square Garden is roaring for DePaul. Roaring. Jalen Terry just drilled a transition 3, making it an 11-0 Blue Demons run over the last 4:29! Timeout Kyle Neptune. DePaul 40, Villanova 32. The Wildcats are officially on red alert.
40-32 DePaul. Timeout Villanova. Season on the brink and then some.
We've got a close one at the half between @NovaMBB and @DePaulHoops! Villanova leads 27-25 📺: FS1 https://t.co/DLKF7aAhc7
We have a 1-point game between DePaul and Villanova https://t.co/9P7fLG98Jo
Perhaps most impressively, lost to a DePaul team that went 0-20 in the Big East. https://t.co/pp4NolKXQB
DePaul Blue Demons (3-28, 0-20 Big East) vs. Villanova Wildcats (17-14, 10-10 Big East) https://t.co/wrCbVuXH37
VILLANOVA HAS CUT IT TO ONE 🔥🔥 https://t.co/8KrNncBrHo
Villanova all the way back!! Down 1 with a minute to play. Tourney lives on the line.
Villanova trying hard to play its way out of the Tournament.