Villanova, Saint Joseph's to Renew Rivalry in Men's Basketball

Cross-City Foes to Face Off for First Time Since 2019

The Villanova Wildcats and Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball teams will renew their rivalry on Dec. 11 at Finneran Pavilion in Villanova, Pa. The game will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2019 and the first at Finneran Pavilion since 2016.

Villanova Seeking to Extend Winning Streak

Villanova enters the game with a 3-0 record, including a win over No. 19 Purdue in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. The Wildcats are led by senior guard Justin Moore, who is averaging 18.3 points per game.

Saint Joseph's Looking to Make Statement

Saint Joseph's is 1-2 this season, with a win over Iona and losses to No. 14 Arizona and Hofstra. The Hawks are led by senior guard Erik Reynolds II, who is averaging 19.7 points per game.

History of the Rivalry

The Villanova-Saint Joseph's rivalry is one of the most heated in Philadelphia college basketball. The two schools have met 126 times since 1922, with Villanova holding a 79-47 advantage.

The rivalry reached its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, when both schools were national powers. Villanova won the national championship in 1985 and 2016, while Saint Joseph's reached the Final Four in 1981 and 2004.

The rivalry has cooled somewhat in recent years, but it remains one of the most intense in the Philadelphia area. The Dec. 11 game is sure to be a sellout and a great atmosphere.