Wildcats to Host Pitt at Finneran Pavilion on Dec. 13

VILLANOVA, Pa. – A storied BIG EAST rivalry of years previous is ready to renew in a non-conference setting with a two-game dwelling and residential sequence between the Villanova Wildcats and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. The Wildcats will host the Panthers on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Finneran Pavilion. Villanova will then go to the Petersen Events Center as a part of its 2026-27 non-conference schedule within the return matchup.
 
“We’re looking forward to resuming a tough old school Big East rivalry that I was blessed to be a part of as a player”, stated Villanova William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach Kevin Willard, who performed for his father, Ralph Willard, for the Panthers from 1994-97. “We have tremendous respect for what Coach Capel has built there. This will be a great test for us as we prepare for Big East play.”
 
The Panthers and Wildcats shared membership in each the Eastern Eight and, from 1980-2013, the BIG EAST. The groups final met in Pittsburgh on March 2, 2013, with the Panthers posting a 73-64 victory. Pitt leads the all-time sequence 33-32.
 
Perhaps essentially the most memorable assembly between the packages befell within the 2009 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in Boston. Villanova prevailed 78-76 on a Scottie Reynolds basket on the Wildcats’ ultimate possession, advancing to its first NCAA Final Four in 24 years.
 
The full Villanova 2025-26 Men’s Basketball schedule will probably be launched in September along side the announcement of the BIG EAST common season slate.