VILLANOVA, Pa. – A storied BIG EAST rivalry of years past is set to resume in a non-conference setting with a two-game home and home series 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 visit the Petersen Events Center as part of its 2026-27 non-conference schedule in 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", said Villanova William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach Kevin Willard, who played 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 both the Eastern Eight and, from 1980-2013, the BIG EAST. The teams last met in Pittsburgh on March 2, 2013, with the Panthers posting a 73-64 victory. Pitt leads the all-time series 33-32.
 
Perhaps the most memorable meeting between the programs took place in the 2009 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in Boston. Villanova prevailed 78-76 on a Scottie Reynolds basket on the Wildcats' final possession, advancing to its first NCAA Final Four in 24 years.
 
The complete Villanova 2025-26 Men's Basketball schedule will be released in September in conjunction with the announcement of the BIG EAST regular season slate.