Villanova continues to be all or (almost) nothing in the NCAA tournament

Villanova is headed to the Final Four for the second time in three years and the third time under head coach Jay Wright.

Despite all that success, there were those who doubted the Wildcats heading into this NCAA tournament because they “always choke.” The only explanation for this stigma being attached to a program that cut down the nets just two years ago (aside from people simply not paying attention) is that ‘Nova has been something of a bipolar presence in March for the past decade.

The Wildcats have participated in all but one of the last 10 NCAA tournaments, and not once over that span have they been knocked out during the second weekend. Adding to the enigma, their six tournament losses have all come to teams seeded No. 7 or worse.

Observe:

2009 - Final Four

2010 - Second Round loss to No. 10 seed Saint Mary’s

2011 - First Round loss to No. 8 seed George Mason

2012 - No tournament

2013 - First round loss to No. 8 seed North Carolina

2014 - Second Round loss to No. 7 seed Connecticut

2015 - Second Round loss to No. 8 seed NC State

2016 - National Champion

2017 - Second Round loss to No. 8 seed Wisconsin

2018 - (at least) Final Four

Villanova is basically the college basketball equivalent of Aaron Judge. He’s gonna miss a decent amount, and when he does it’s going to look bad, but when he connects ... it’s gonna be pretty cool.