Chris Arcidiacono
North Carolina's Justin McKoy goes up during practice for the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Final Four teams heavily recruit talent in their backyards

By Dave Skretta Mar. 31, 2022 06:47 PM EDT

New Mexico State guard Teddy Allen (0) drives against Arkansas guard Au'Diese Toney during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA men's tournament Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
North Carolina Tar Heels at Arizona Wildcats 3/21/2022

Mar. 19, 2022 08:56 PM EDT

UAB guard Michael Ertel (2) reacts with teammate Jordan Walker (10) after hitting a basket in overtime play during an NCAA college basketball game against Middle Tennessee in the semifinal round of the Conference USA tournament in Frisco, Texas, Friday, March 11, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Conference USA - Semifinal 2 (win) at Conference USA - Semifinal 1 (win) 3/12/2022

Mar. 11, 2022 06:42 PM EST

Villanova's Collin Gillespie, left, dribbles past the defense of Connecticut's Isaiah Whaley and Samson Johnson (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Dixon scores 24, No. 12 Villanova beats No. 17 UConn 85-74

By Dan Gelston Feb. 05, 2022 02:31 PM EST

Saint Joseph's Erik Reynolds II, right, tries to get past Villanova's Collin Gillespie during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Saint Joseph's (PA) Hawks at Villanova Wildcats 12/4/2021

Dec. 04, 2021 12:52 PM EST

Villanova's Justin Moore (5) is defended by North Texas' Javion Hamlet (3) during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan, Villanova push past key injuries in Sweet 16 run

By Aaron Beard Mar. 25, 2021 04:11 PM EDT

Villanova's Caleb Daniels (14) is defended by North Texas' JJ Murray (11) during the second half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Underdog 'Cats? Pick against Villanova at your own peril

By Dan Gelston Mar. 24, 2021 04:24 PM EDT

North Texas head coach Grant McCasland hugs Javion Hamlet during the second half of a second-round game against Villanova in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Indianapolis. Villanova won 84-61. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Villanova hits 15 3s to knock off upstart North Texas 84-61

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 21, 2021 11:17 PM EDT

BYU guard Spencer Johnson (20) looks to shoot the ball in front of UCLA forward Mac Etienne, right, during the first half of a first-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
East Regional - First Round - Game 5 (win) at East Regional - First Round - Game 6 (win) 3/22/2021

Mar. 20, 2021 10:14 PM EDT

Georgetown center Qudus Wahab, center, goes to the basket against Villanova guard Justin Moore (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East conference tournament, Thursday, March 11, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Conference USA - Quarterfinal 2 (win) at Conference USA - Quarterfinal 1 (win) 3/12/2021

Mar. 12, 2021 12:09 AM EST

Villanova guard Bryan Antoine, center, stops Georgetown forward Collin Holloway, left, from scoring during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East conference tournament, Thursday, March 11, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Georgetown upsets Big East top seed Villanova 72-71 at MSG

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 11, 2021 04:18 PM EST

Villanova's Jermaine Samuels (23) drives to the basket against Providence's Ed Croswell (21), Noah Horchler (14) and David Duke (3) during an NCAA college basketball game in Providence, R.I., Saturday, March 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Late tip-in helps Providence hold off No. 10 Villanova 54-52

By Jimmy Golen Mar. 06, 2021 05:39 PM EST

Boston College's Jay Heath pulls up for a basket in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Villanova Wildcats at Boston College Eagles 11/25/2020

Nov. 25, 2020 10:34 PM EST