Top-tier programs like Villanova basketball often schedule “buy games” early in their seasons, hoping to ease into their competition with some less formidable opponents. These games allow teams to build confidence, gel as a unit, and experiment with tactics without the overwhelming pressure of high-stakes games. However, this strategy can sometimes backfire spectacularly, as was the case for the Wildcats on Wednesday night. Villanova faced off against the Columbia Lions in their season opener at home, but instead of a comfortable victory, they suffered an unexpected 90-80 defeat.
Reactions to this surprising outcome flooded social media, revealing just how invested fans are in the fate of their beloved programs. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein succinctly captured the disappointment: “Villanova loses a buy game to Columbia,” he tweeted. “The definition of brutal.” And while some might chalk it up to mere luck, others were less charitable. Barstool Sports’ Max Dolente bluntly stated, “I wouldn’t even classify that as an upset. Columbia is simply a stronger basketball team than Villanova, and that’s a clear fact. I’m starting to question if they practice at all,” reflecting the frustrations many fans share when a favorite team stumbles.
Commentary on Villanova’s performance has also shifted focus to the head coach, Kyle Neptune. Aaron Torres from FOX Sports Radio pointedly remarked, “Villanova just lost to Columbia 90-80. [Head coach] Kyle Neptune took over a team that had just reached the Final Four, and now has a record of 36-34, with losses against Portland, Columbia, Penn, Drexel, and St. Joe’s among others. I can’t picture Jay Wright witnessing his former program fall apart. What a disgrace.” For those who followed Villanova closely during the Jay Wright era, a loss like this can trigger waves of nostalgia and worry. Wright, a revered figure in college basketball, guided the Wildcats to greatness, including two national championships and two additional Final Four appearances.
Since Wright’s departure in 2022, however, the Wildcats have struggled to keep that momentum, failing to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in that time. “I want to add – and I’ve said this numerous times – this should put an end to any debate about ‘Is Villanova a blue blood?’ A miraculous championship in ’85 and a brief period of strong performance under Jay Wright,” Torres continued. “Congratulations on having an all-time great coach. No, and they never were, a blue blood.” For fans who once wore their Villanova gear proudly, these critiques cut deep. They evoke a sense of urgency—a need to understand what’s happening to a team once among the elite.
So where does this leave the Wildcats? Is this crushing loss a sign of greater decline, a warning that the team is moving away from its proud legacy? Or could it simply be a minor setback that won’t define their entire season?
As Coach Kyle Neptune seeks to answer these pressing questions, he finds himself at a crossroads. Since taking the helm, the 39-year-old has led the Wildcats to two NIT appearances but has yet to make a mark in NCAA Tournament history. The recent defeat against Columbia only adds to the scrutiny he faces: can he elevate this team back to its former glory? True basketball elites manage to shine through different eras, and Villanova risks fading into obscurity if it cannot sustain its once-prestigious reputation. For fans who remember the thrill of championship banners and deep tournament runs, watching the Wildcats falter like this is beyond disheartening—it’s a wake-up call that change may be needed, sooner rather than later.
