Hoops Mania 2024 Kicked Off Basketball Season Friday Night – Villanova University

VILLANOVA, Pa., – The Nova Nation celebrated the start of the 2024-25 basketball season Friday night at Finneran Pavilion at Hoops Mania 2024. The Finn was sold out and packed to the rafters as it has been every season it has hosted the event since 2005.
 
The evening began with the introduction of the individual men’s and men’s student-athletes. Both teams then joined the Villanova Dance Team for a group dance that the crowd roared its approval to.
 
The basketball part of the night included a 3-Point Contest, a basketball skills relay race and ended with a dunk contest. There was also a mini-Blue/White Scrimmage that was highlighted by streamers being tossed to the court from the crowd after the first basket was scored in a tradition that began in the Philadelphia Big Five and has been renewed each year on the Main Line at Hoops Mania.
 
The Blue defeated the White 15-9 as Matthew Hodge scored four points and Wooga Poplar sank a key 3-pointer. At the other end Jordan Longino threw down a thundering slam for the White team.
 
Forward Nnanna Njoku (stress injury in left foot) and guard Kris Parker (toe fracture in right foot) were introduced to the audience but did not participate in basketball activities.
 
That set up the final act, a concert featuring recording artist Gunna.
 
The Wildcats women team advanced to the final of the WBIT last March, posting 22 wins along the way. Denise Dillion’s squad has earned 52 victories in the past two seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2023. The Wildcats open the 2024-25 regular season at the Finn on Sunday, Nov. 10, vs. Wake Forest.
 
The Villanova men begin their third season under head coach Kyle Neptune led by returning stalwarts Eric Dixon and Longino. The ‘Cats host Lafayette on Monday, Nov. 4 in their regular season opener. That will be preceded by a charity exhibition contest at Villanova on Sunday, Oct. 27 vs. Robert Morris.