Basketball in the Big East is a meat grinder. Seriously. You think you have a handle on the standings, and then a Tuesday night in January happens. If you’re looking for the latest villanova wildcats basketball score, you probably saw the mixed bag of results that has Philly fans scratching their heads.
It's been a wild ride lately. One night, the men's squad is looking like a locked-in tournament team, and the next, they're fighting for air in a hostile road environment. Just look at the recent stretch. On January 13, 2026, Villanova managed to outlast Providence 88-82. It wasn't pretty, but they escaped Rhode Island with a "W." Devin Askew has been absolutely lighting it up lately, dropping 20 points in that win. When he’s on, this team feels like they can beat anyone in the country.
Breaking Down the Recent Villanova Wildcats Basketball Score
But wait. Go back just a few days before that. On January 10, the Wildcats went into Milwaukee and stunned Marquette 76-73. It was a classic Big East slugfest. Villanova actually trailed 33-32 late in the first half but managed to shoot their way out of trouble. They hit three-straight triples early in the game to set the tone.
The defense held firm when it mattered most. Marquette had a chance to tie it on the final possession, but the shot missed, and 'Nova walked away with a massive road victory. It’s that kind of grit that defines this program, even in years when they aren't the top seed.
Honestly, the schedule doesn't get any easier. Here’s the reality of the current situation:
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- January 13: Villanova 88, Providence 82 (Win)
- January 10: Villanova 76, Marquette 73 (Win)
- January 7: Creighton 76, Villanova 72 (Loss)
- January 3: Villanova 85, Butler 67 (Win)
That Creighton loss at the Finneran Pavilion stung. It was a 76-72 heartbreaker where the Wildcats just couldn't get the stops they needed in the final two minutes. But that's the Big East. You're never safe at home.
The Women’s Team and the UConn Reality Check
We have to talk about the women’s side too. Because wow. On January 15, 2026, the Villanova women’s team ran into the buzzsaw that is No. 1 UConn. The final villanova wildcats basketball score there was a 99-50 blowout. It was rough. UConn is currently on a 34-game winning streak, and Sarah Strong was a nightmare for the Wildcats, putting up 24 points and 9 rebounds.
Villanova’s Jasmine Bascoe was held to just 8 points. When your leading scorer gets locked down like that, you aren't winning many games in Storrs. The Wildcats shot a season-low 27.7% from the field. It happens. You take the licks, watch the film, and move on to St. John’s.
What’s Actually Happening with the Men’s Offense?
People keep asking what changed. For a while, the offense felt stagnant. Then, suddenly, they started hitting from deep. In the Marquette game, they were incredibly efficient from beyond the arc. They aren't just relying on Eric Dixon to bail them out anymore.
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Aiyana Lewis and Duke Brennan have been crucial in the paint. Brennan, especially, has been a double-double machine. In the Providence game, the Wildcats held off multiple second-half runs. That’s growth. Early in the season, they might have folded. Now, they seem to have found a secondary gear.
A Look at the Standings (The Messy Part)
Right now, the Big East is a logjam. Villanova (14-3, 5-1 Big East) is sitting in a great spot, but they have a target on their back. The loss to Creighton showed they are vulnerable to high-low sets and elite perimeter shooting.
- UConn: Still the gold standard, even if they've looked human once or twice.
- Villanova: Rising fast thanks to road dominance.
- Creighton: The spoiler that won't go away.
- Seton Hall: Tough, physical, and always a threat to grind out a 60-58 win.
What to Watch for Next
The Wildcats are heading back home for a massive showdown against St. John's at the Finneran Pavilion on January 17. That's a 8:00 P.M. tip-off. If you’re tracking the villanova wildcats basketball score, that's the one that defines the mid-season trajectory. St. John's plays a chaotic, high-pressure style that can rattle even veteran guards like Askew.
If 'Nova can handle the press, they should move to 6-1 in the conference. If they turn it over 15+ times? It’s going to be a long night in Philly.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans
Keep an eye on the injury report for Eric Dixon. He's been the anchor, but the heavy minutes are starting to show. Also, watch the bench scoring. In the win over Providence, the bench was the difference-maker. When 'Nova gets 25+ points from the second unit, they are nearly impossible to beat.
Check the local broadcast schedules. Many of these upcoming Big East games are moving to Peacock or FS1, so don't get caught searching for a stream five minutes after tip-off.
The most important thing to watch is the defensive rotation. Villanova has been much more aggressive in trapping the corners lately. It worked against Marquette but left them exposed against Creighton. How they adjust against St. John's will tell us if this team is a legit Final Four threat or just a solid Top 25 mainstay.