1995–96 Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team

Led by consensus First team All-American Senior Kerry Kittles, who became and remains Villanova's all-time leading scorer, the highly ranked Wildcats made their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament since the departure of Rollie Massimino.With an overall record 24-5 and conference record of 14–4, the Wildcats placed second in the Big East Conference, and after reaching the semifinals of the Big East tournament, the team was invited to the NCAA tournament as a 3 seed.In the NCAA tournament, the Wildcats would gain their first tournament win under Fourth Year head coach Steve Lappas, over 14 seed Portland.In the round of 32, the Wildcats would prove to be competitive, but fall to 6 seed Louisville by four points.[4] Big East tournament First Round vs. (7) Providence @ Madison Square Garden, New York, NY - W, 78-68 Semifinals vs. (3) Georgetown @ Madison Square Garden, New York, NY - L, 76-84 NCAA Tournament First Round vs. (14) Portland @ Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI - W, 92-58 Round of 32 vs. (6) Louisville @ Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI - L, 68-64 [6]
Villanova Wildcats men's basketballMaui Invitational tournamentNCAA tournamentBig East ConferenceSteve LappasThe Pavilion1994–951996–97ConnecticutBoston CollegeWest VirginiaSt. John'sNotre DameGeorgetownSyracuseProvidenceSeton HallRutgersPittsburgh1996 Big East tournamentAP PollVillanova UniversityRollie MassiminoBig East tournamentPortlandLouisvilleJohn CelestandPiscataway, New JerseyAlvin WilliamsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaKerry KittlesNew Orleans, LouisianaJason LawsonWalk-onredshirtWisconsinLahaina Civic CenterLahaina, HawaiiSanta ClaraNorth CarolinaBradleyMiami (FL)Miami ArenaMiami, FloridaPurdueWooden ClassicHonda CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaBradley CenterMilwaukee, Wisconsin1996 NBA draftNew Jersey NetsThe Los Angeles TimesBasketball-reference.comJake Nevin Field HouseWilliam E. Finneran PavilionFirst Union SpectrumWells Fargo CenterSaint Joseph'sWill D. CatCity 6Philadelphia Big 5Big 5 ClassicRobert V. Geasey TrophyV for VillanovaStatistical leadersSeasonsList of seasons1938–391970–711977–781979–801980–811981–821982–831983–841984–851985–861987–881989–901990–911993–941998–992004–052005–062006–072007–082008–092009–102010–112011–122012–132013–142014–152015–162016–172017–182018–192019–202020–212021–222022–232023–242024–25