Wikipedia

1977–78 Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team

The 1977–78 Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team represented Villanova University during the 1977–78 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Rollie Massimino. The team played its home games at Villanova Field House in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and was a member of the Eastern Athletic Association (EAA). The team won the regular season EAA title and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament before falling to Duke.[1] Villanova finished with a 23–9 record (7–3 Big East).

1977–78 Villanova Wildcats men's basketball
EAA Regular season champions
EAA Tournament champions
ConferenceEastern Athletic Association
Record23–9 (7–3 EAA)
Head coach
Assistant coachMitch Buonaguro (1st season)
Home arenaVillanova Field House
Seasons
1977–78 Eastern 8 men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
East
Rutgers 7 – 3   .700 24 – 7   .774
Villanova † 7 – 3   .700 23 – 9   .719
Pittsburgh 5 – 5   .500 16 – 11   .593
UMass 5 – 5   .500 15 – 12   .556
West
Duquesne 5 – 5   .500 11 – 17   .393
George Washington 4 – 6   .400 15 – 11   .577
Penn State 4 – 6   .400 8 – 19   .296
West Virginia 3 – 7   .300 12 – 16   .429
† 1978 Eastern 8 Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

Roster

edit
1977–78 Villanova Wildcats men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Hometown
G 3 Rory Sparrow 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
—
 So Paterson, New Jersey
F 33 Keith Herron 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
—
 Sr Washington, D.C.
F 44 Alex Bradley 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Fr Long Branch, New Jersey
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Schedule and results

edit
Date
time, TV 		Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site
city, state
Regular season
Feb 25, 1978*
 vs. Saint Joseph's W 72–64  18–8
 The Palestra 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
EAA tournament
Mar 2, 1978*
 vs. Penn State
Quarterfinals 		W 73–65  19–8
 Civic Arena 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mar 3, 1978*
 at Pittsburgh
Semifinals 		W 72–70  20–8
 Civic Arena 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mar 4, 1978*
 vs. West Virginia
Championship game 		W 63–59  21–8
 Civic Arena 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
NCAA tournament
Mar 12, 1978*
 vs. La Salle
First round 		W 103–97  22–8
 The Palestra 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mar 17, 1978*
 vs. No. 13 Indiana
East Regional Semifinal – Sweet Sixteen 		W 61–60  23–8
 Providence Civic Center 
Providence, Rhode Island
Mar 19, 1978*
 vs. No. 7 Duke
East Regional Final – Elite Eight 		L 72–90  23–9
 Providence Civic Center 
Providence, Rhode Island
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
E=East.

[2][3]

Rankings

edit
Main article: 1977–78 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings

[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Duke Routs Villanova In Eastern Final, 90-72". The New York Times. March 20, 1978. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "1977-78 Villanova Wildcats Schedule and Results". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  3. ^ "2019–20 Villanova Men's Basketball Media Guide". Villanova University Athletics. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  4. ^ ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia. Random House. 2009. pp. 846–847. ISBN 978-0-345-51392-2.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1977–78_Villanova_Wildcats_men%27s_basketball_team&oldid=1178393028"