Because Kentucky was upset by UCLA, and Villanova charged over Saint Joseph's (88-57) on Saturday, there will be a Wildcat swap at the top of the polls on Monday.
Previously undefeated UK will lose its grip on the No. 1 ranking, while No. 2 Nova is destined to return to No. 1, a place it's familiar with, of course -- Villanova earned that distinction just eight months ago, when it won the national title.
The big story out of Philadelphia on Saturday was Josh Hart's triple-double. The frontrunner for Big East player of the year became the first Nova player in more than three decades to haul in a triple-double. That's stunning to me. The last time a VU player went for a triple-double was January of 1986, when Harold Pressley put up 19 points, 15 boards and 10 blocks (!) in a win over Providence. At the time it was the first triple-double in Big East history.
Nova, in general, was terrific in its execution. The team made 16 3-pointers -- a season-high -- and had 23 assists on 32 field goals. Villanova is now 8-0 and deserves to be right there with any team in the debate for the best club in the country.
Villanova won't get to be comfortable with a No. 1 ranking, though. Two of its next three games come against Big 5 opponents, sandwiched by a tilt against undefeated Notre Dame. Every Philly game is always a tense one, so be on the lookout.
Hart's triple-double puts him in the thick of the convo for player of the year, a discussion that will earn more clarity as December rolls on.
