Never Forget Tribute Classic 2022
Schedule
Sat, 10 Dec, 2022 at 05:00 pm
Location
Prudential Center | Newark, NJ
Advertisement
Event Details:Prudential Center has announced it will host the sixth edition of the Never Forget Tribute Classic on Saturday, December
10th. The event will feature the Villanova Wildcats coming off their third NCAA Final Four appearance since 2016, taking
on former Big East rival the Boston College Eagles. The game will air on FOX at 5:00 PM ET.
The former Big East rivals have played each other seventy-eight times in their history with Villanova leading the all-time
series between the two teams 54-24. The last matchup took place in 2020, when the Wildcats edged out the Eagles 76-
67.
For the sixth edition, the Never Forget Tribute Classic will support a 9/11-inspired charity; the recipient of support from
the 2022 event will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
General Details:
• When: Saturday, December 10th
• TV Network: Fox
• Time: 5:00 PM
The Teams:
• Villanova Wildcats
o “We had the opportunity to take part in the 2016 Never Forget Tribute Classic against Notre Dame,” said
Villanova’s Men’s Head Basketball Coach Kyle Neptune. “That was an amazing experience for our team
honoring the families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks while playing in an awesome environment at
Prudential Center. We're looking forward to returning in December to face one of Villanova's great
former Big East rivals, Boston College."
o Villanova enters a new era under first year head coach Kyle Neptune. Neptune, who served a decade on
the Wildcats' coaching staff before being named head coach at Fordham University in April 2021, steps
in for retired Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright.
o Job one will be to replace departed four-year starters Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels. Three
veterans will lead the way: Brandon Slater, Caleb Daniels, and Justin Moore. Moore continues his
recovery from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the NCAA Elite Eight victory over Houston. Junior
forward Eric Dixon moved into the starting lineup last season and is expected to take another step
forward in 2022-23.
o Senior Chris Arcidiacono and sophomore Jordan Longino were valued role players a season ago with
room to grow while incoming freshmen Cam Whitmore and New Jersey native Mark Armstrong helped
USA Basketball to a gold medal at the FIBA U118 Americas tournament in June 2022.Boston College
Eagles
• Boston College Eagles
o “We are looking forward to facing our long-time rival Villanova as part of the Never Forget Tribute
Classic,” said Boston College’s Men’s Head Basketball Coach Earl Grant. “It will be a great opportunity to
play in front of all our passionate fans and alumni in the metropolitan area.”
o The hard-charging Boston College Eagles enter the 2022-23 season with a balanced mix of veterans,
newcomers, and transfers as it looks to build upon the momentum from head coach Earl Grant’s
inaugural season. BC returns four starters from a team that made a run into the quarterfinals of the ACC
Championship - narrowly missing the program’s first trip to the semifinals since the 2006-07 season.
o Leading the way for the Eagles’ backcourt is Makai Ashton-Langford. His backcourt mate Jaeden Zackery
was one of the top newcomers in the ACC a season ago. The Eagles also boast returning starters DeMarr
Langford Jr. and T.J. Bickerstaff. Langford Jr. is an elite ACC-level athletic talent, while Bickerstaff proved
to be one of the league's top rebounders in 2022-23.
o One of the country’s most underrated big men, Quinten Post played his way onto the ACC’s All-
Tournament team a year ago, averaging 14.0 points and 5.0 boards in the three games in Brooklyn.
o Adding to the veterans in the locker room is Cincinnati transfer Mason Madsen. Boston College hit the
recruiting trail hard a season ago, posting one of the highest-rated classes in program history. BC added
two four-star rated recruits in the same class for the first time, in Prince Aligbe and Donald Hand Jr.
Aligbe is a talented, athletic small forward who will make an immediate impact. Hand Jr. - was one of
the top players out of Virginia and can score from all facets on the court.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St, Newark, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.