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2019 NCAA Tournament: Villanova vs. Purdue How to Watch & Game Thread

Does Purdue reach the second weekend for a third straight year?

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-First Round- Purdue vs Old Dominion David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The champs are here.

I know this Villanova team is different from the last few years. The nature of college basketball is that you win a title, then lose players to the NBA. Winning even two in a row is extremely different, and two in three years is just about as hard. This year’s edition of Villanoa is a step below the last few seasons.

They are still the champs, and will be until someone takes that from them.

Purdue didn’t play particularly well Thursday night, but it was enough mostly because Old Dominion had an awful night shooting. Nojel Eastern reportedly a full go and Matt Haarms is a definite matvhup advantage. Points will be at premium as both teams play at a slower pace. This is probably going to be a game where the first team to 60 wins, and Phil Booth vs. Carsen Edwards will be fun to see.

Villanova Wildcats

From: Philadelphia, PA

Date: Saturday, March 23, 2018

Tip Time: approx. 8:40pm

Location: Hartford, CT

Arena: XL Center (16,294)

Television: TNT

Online: March

Madness On Demand

Radio: Purdue Radio Network

SiriusXM Satellite: XM (Ch. 381); Internet (Ch. 968)

Live Stats: bit.ly/PurdueLiveStats

Odds: Purdue by 4

KenPom: 26

NET: 26

2017-18 Record: 36-4, 14-4 Big East

(National Champions)

2018-19 Record: 26-9, 13-5 Big East

(Big East regular season and Tournament champions)

Opponent Blog: VUHoops

Series with Purdue: Villanova leads 3-0

Last Villanova Win: 79-76 at Purdue on 11/14/2016

Last Purdue Win: None

NCAA Tournament History: 43 appearances, 3-time National Champions

Coach: Jay Wright (447-172 in 19th season at Villanova, 569-257 overall)