Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Villanova’s Phil Booth adds two records to an impressive resume as Wildcats win first NCAA Tournament game

The Wildcats' fifth-year senior set the program record for most games played in a career, 147, in Thursday night's win over St. Mary's, and tied the NCAA record for most consecutive tournament victories with 13.

Phil Booth of Villanova is interviewed in their locker room.  They will play Purdue in the 2nd round NCAA Tournament game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on March 23, 2019.
Phil Booth of Villanova is interviewed in their locker room. They will play Purdue in the 2nd round NCAA Tournament game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on March 23, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

HARTFORD, Conn. – Phil Booth continues to quietly go about his business leading Villanova while adding a couple of impressive numbers to his already voluminous resume.

Booth played in his 147th game, the most in the history of the Wildcats’ program, Thursday night, in a 61-57 first-round victory over St. Mary’s in the NCAA Tournament. He also tied an NCAA record by being part of a 13th consecutive tourney win, and he can break the record Saturday night, when the Cats (26-9) take on Purdue (24-9) at XL Center.

“Very fortunate,” Booth, a fifth-year senior guard, said Friday in the Villanova locker room. “I’ve been on some great teams that have gone far in the tournament and did great things. Some teammates that I’ve played with have been unselfish, doing everything for the team, all about the team. When that happens, there’s great results.”

Booth broke the program record of 146 games played, a mark shared by Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins. He need eight points to reach the 1,500-point milestone, and would become the ninth player in school history to compile 1,500 points and 300 assists in his career.

Four Duke players – Grant Hill, Thomas Hill, Bobby Hurley, and Antonio Lang – won 13 consecutive games in the NCAA Tournament, fueled by back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992. Booth played on Villanova’s 2016 and 2018 championship teams but did not compete in the 2017 tournament because of a knee injury that forced him to redshirt.

Wildcats coach Jay Wright appeared awed by Booth’s milestones.

“Just here in the short term, that record is incredible,” he said. “He’s just going to go down as a real special player in Villanova history. But being in this tournament right now, and thinking about 13 straight wins, that’s incredible. That’s really incredible.

“He’s just had such an amazing career, and he’s just done it with such class and humility. I feel blessed that I got to be a part of it with him.”

Another player who has shared successes with Booth over an extended period is senior Eric Paschall, who has teamed with Booth to lead the Cats on and off the court.

“He’s had a hell of a career,” Paschall said. “Phil deserves everything that’s coming for him. He’s been here five years, fought through injury. You see this year what he’s capable of. I’m very proud of him. That’s my brother, and I’m very happy for everything that he’s done.”

The underclassmen also appreciate the records, even if sophomore Collin Gillespie and his teammates joke around with Booth all the time.

“We look at him like he’s been here for 10 years,” Gillespie said.

“He’s a warrior. He does a lot for our team. He’s been in battles before, going way back, a lot of tough games. He’s been in NCAA Tournaments his whole career. So, whenever we have questions, whenever somebody does something wrong, he’s always there to help us. But, that’s just the player that he is. He’s willing to do anything to get his team to win.”

Added sophomore Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree about the records: “It shows what kind of player, what kind of person he is, and how hard he works, how well he pushed his teammates, how much he’s a team player, how much he’s committed to what we do.”

The Wildcats want to keep going and to add to Booth’s records, not to mention advance to the Sweet 16, but they face a tough task against the Boilermakers. Purdue features junior guard Carsen Edwards and his 23.1-point average, and is strong on defense and under the boards.

“I want to keep playing with Phil,” Paschall said. “I know it’s going to come to an end eventually, but he’s doing a great job.”