Which Villanova championship team was better?

2016?

Or 2018?

We can’t settle it on the court, but we can settle it via live stream, as members of both teams will compete tonight in an eSports basketball game that will raise money for Philabundance to help during the COVID-19 crisis. The event doesn’t even take place until 7 p.m. this evening but has already pulled in $2,600 for charity.

Details here via press release:


May 1, 2020 (Philadelphia, PA)​ — Members of the 2016 and 2018 Villanova Men’s Basketball National Championship teams have joined forces to settle one of Nova Nation’s biggest sports debates and raise funds to support those in need during the Covid-19 crisis.

This Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m. ET, 17 players from both national title squads (and a few very special guests) will take part in WSOE Champions for Charity: 16 v. 18,” a live-streamed, simulated basketball game between the 2016 and 2018 champs. Bragging rights are on the line as these two legendary Villanova teams battle it out on a virtual court, and compete in raising funds for Philabundance, Philadelphia’s largest hunger relief organization.

“We’ve had some spirited arguments about which team would win if we went head-to-head,” said event organizer and 2016 champion Kevin Rafferty. “Now we’ll have an answer and help support a great cause in the process.”

The event, produced by Estars Studios, is the debut of the new World Showdown of Esports (WSOE) Online game series and will stream live at 7 p.m. ET on Twitch at ​twitch.tv/wsoe​, Twitter at ​twitter.com/wsoe​ and YouTube at ​YouTube.com/wsoe​. Fans of all ages are encouraged to tune in, offer comments on the action, and “vote” for their favorite of the two title teams by using a special link to donate directly to Philabundance in honor of their team of choice. The donation link ​is now live on Tiltify.com​ and fans may donate anytime between now and 11:59 p.m. ET Tuesday, May 5.

Viewers will be part of a one-of-a-kind sports experience. The broadcast will feature a customized game screen surrounded by a live video feed of all 17 former Wildcats. Players will offer commentary (and no doubt a healthy dose of trash talk) throughout the game and receive check-ins from special guests, including Villanova head coach Jay Wright. Darryl Reynolds, a  forward on the 2016 team and current Big East Network commentator, will serve as host and moderator.

The idea came from online discussion among alumni, spearheaded by Kevin Rafferty.

You can watch tonight’s game at the following links:

Video – http://twitch.tv/WSOE

Donate – tiltify.com/@1618wildcats