Conference Big East Conference AP No. 2 Head coach Jay Wright (16th year) | Coaches No. 2 2016–17 record 27–3 (14–3 Big East) Assistant coach Baker Dunleavy | |
The 2016–17 Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team represents Villanova University in the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by head coach Jay Wright in his 16th year, the Wildcats participate in the Big East Conference and play their home games at The Pavilion, with some select home games at the Wells Fargo Center.
Contents
Previous season
The Wildcats finished the 2015–16 season with a record of 35–5, 16–2 in Big East play to win the Big East regular season championship. In the Big East Tournament they defeated Georgetown and Providence, but lost to Seton Hall in the championship game. The Wildcats received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, being awarded the No. 2 seed in the South Region. Villanova defeated UNC Asheville and Iowa to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. In the Sweet Sixteen, they defeated Miami and upset overall No. 1 seed Kansas in the Elite Eight to advance to the fifth Final Four in school history. In the Final Four, the Wildcats defeated Oklahoma to advance to the school's third National Championship game. In the National Championship game, they defeated No. 1 seed North Carolina to earn the second NCAA Championship title in school history, the first since 1985.
Preseason
Prior to the season, Villanova was picked to win the Big East in a poll of Big East coaches. Josh Hart was named preseason Big East Player of the Year. Kris Jenkins was named to the All-Big East first tream and Jalen Brunson received an Honorable Mention.
Rankings
*AP does not release post-NCAA tournament rankings