Villanova was firmly an NCAA Tournament bubble team as it opened Big East Tournament play on Wednesday. That bubble nearly popped. But thanks to a big shot, the Wildcats are still alive.
Awaiting Villanova in the first round was DePaul. And while the Wildcats didn’t have a great season, there was no reason to think that the Blue Demons would be much of a threat. DePaul finished the regular season 3-28 and lost its last 19 regular season games, not having won a game since December. The Blue Demons also finished the regular season without a single win in the Big East. Despite that, they gave the Wildcats everything they could ask for — and very nearly more.
The game was close throughout. In the final seconds, DePaul found itself trying to hold onto a 57-55 win. Villanova needed a big shot and got it from fifth-year senior Justin Moore, who buried a three to put the Wildcats up one. The Blue Demons had 8.8 seconds to respond. Jalen Terry dribbled the ball up the court but when he went to pass it, Villanova’s TJ Bamba got his hand on it. The loose ball eventually got into the hands of Mark Armstrong, who ran the remainder of the clock out to seal the Wildcats win.
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. pic.twitter.com/eXqrUrnniG
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 14, 2024
Wildcats coach Kyle Neptune summed his team’s feelings up in five words: “Thank God for Justin Moore.”
“Thank God for Justin Moore.” – Kyle Neptune pic.twitter.com/uR1IJ8mrWY
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 14, 2024
While Moore of course deserves all the praise he’ll receive for making that shot, the rest of the college basketball world wasn’t impressed by his team’s performance.
Villanova was favored by 24.5 coming into the game. And while the Wildcats won, the general feeling coming out of the game was that they didn’t exactly impress anyone doing so.
I honest to God feel bad for DePaul. Deserved to win that game.
— Dana O'Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) March 14, 2024
Justin Moore just SAVED Villanova.
The Cats escape GATES OF HELL brutality by a single point against DePaul.
Still alive — barely — for the NCAA Tournament.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 14, 2024
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)
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) March 14, 2024
Villanova needed this victory but squeaking it out against a team that went 0-20 in conference play isn’t great
That last play for DePaul about sums up their season pic.twitter.com/Ga6gODP5rD
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) March 14, 2024
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.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 14, 2024
As a bubble team coming into the Big East Tournament, Villanova likely needed to go on a deep run to solidify its NCAA Tournament resume. Being taken to the wire by a three-win team certainly places even more importance on a deep run. But thanks to Moore, the Wildcats at least have that chance.
