The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

VUhoops.com 19010 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:37:46 GMT

I think 'Nova Nation will approve a #13 ranking.

In recent years, Villanova is 1 of 5 programs to make the Sweet 16 in 3 of the past 4 years (WVU, Memphis, UNC, and UCLA are the others).

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

Adam, Louisville, KY — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:22:56 GMT

Alright, I will complain first. How in the hell is Villanova ranked ahead of Georgetown, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, and Arkansas. Those schools have either more titles, the same number of titles and more FF's, or more titles and FF's. Villanova is a worthy top 25 mention, but they should never sniff the top 15 on a list like this. The NIT I think is weighing too heavily in your formula and you should reconsider this. Mike, you are the man for attempting this especially during a dead period to help us hoops junkies out but you definitely need me to help you reform your list next summer!

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

Tom George, Reading, PA — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:30:18 GMT

Villanova deserves to be there. One has to look at the entire history. We're talking 60 years. Georgetown was nothing before John Thompson. Villanova was in the first Final 4. So while an argument can be made for any of the schools mentioned by Adam, arguments which are just as compelling can be made for Nova.

Nova is not Top 5 or even Top 10, but desrve to be mentioned in the top 15 or so.

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

John, MI — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:29:00 GMT

I agree the NIT is too much weight. It basically says you are the 65th (66th now) best team in the country that year as you were not good enough that season to make the tournament. Although nice to win, I don't think it should factor in that much.

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

Ed, Phila, PA — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:04:17 GMT

'Cats have more NCAA bids than Georgetown, MSU, either OSU and Arkansas and more NCAA wins than all those schools except Georgetown (one more). Villanova also has more NCAA wins and bids than UCONN, Cin and Arizona who I assume will be higher on this list. They also have been to 10 regional finals. Taking all of Mike's parameters into consideration, 'Cats are about where they should be.

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

eric martin shelton ct. — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:10:55 GMT

Villanova definately belongs right where they are. Try to remember "all time" does not mean the last 20 years of recent TV memory. Couse I am a Nova grad and a little biased

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

Jim C. Boulder, CO — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:42:39 GMT

One might want to take into account that many of Villanova's NIT accomplishments came at a time when the NIT was "THE" tournament. Yes the later NIT Championship might carry too much weight, but Nova's overall NIT successes are important. Not to mention that they've made something like eleven Elite Eights in the modern NCAA.

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

Kelly, New York, NY — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:33:06 GMT

Villanova keeps moving to the top of the charts-- academically and athletically. Go 'Cats!

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

grokamok, the Internet — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:43:21 GMT

Ridiculous placement. You hit Ohio St. because of its violation but not 'Nova for theirs. Sure, the 'Cats have had some success in recent NCAAs (and were completely hosed by the refs in the Elite 8 against UNC) and have long-term consistency, but, unlike St. John's, they never won the NIT while it mattered; most of their NIT wins were in the past 30 years and at home when they meant little to nothing. For that matter, how impressive is being in the first Final Four when it only took one victory to get there? There can be no denying that their win over GU is iconic in sports history, but there hasn't ever been an era that the 'Cats have challenged for dominance. To be honest, I was a little shocked not to see 'Nova in the 20-30/ORV range, but that was because I thought you might have overlooked them, not over-rated them! Now it looks like you have overlooked Utah, unless you are going to leave out one of Syracuse, Cincinnati, Arizona, Michigan or UConn (well, maybe being good for the last 20 years with little to show before that will keep them off the list despite their two titles, just like Florida). We'll see...

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

VUhoops.com 19010 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:51:24 GMT

NCAA Appearances:

1 Kentucky 50

2 UCLA 42

3 North Carolina 40

4 Kansas 37

5 Indiana 35

6 Louisville 34

7 Duke 32

8 Syracuse 31

9 Arkansas 29
Notre Dame 29
Villanova 29

12 Connecticut 28

13 Illinois 27
St Johns 27
Arizona 27

SWEET 16 or Better
1 Kentucky 41

2 UCLA 32

3 North Carolina 29

4 Kansas 26

5 Duke 23
Louisville 23

7 Indiana 20

8 Syracuse 17
Utah 17
Villanova 17

The greatest programs: No. 13, Villanova

Joe Daily, New York, NY — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:14:33 GMT

The beauty of Villanova is that they are a class act. Winners but never braggers. Tough kids playing tough basketball. Couldn't be a more deserving group.