The Villanova Wildcats entered the 2007–08 season with much uncertainty, after losing star Curtis Sumpter, guard Mike Nardi, and center Will Sheridan to graduation.

Returning players included sophomore Scottie Reynolds and juniors Shane Clark and Dante Cunningham.

The team also featured Antonio Pena and Andrew Ott, both returning from redshirt freshman years.

Freshman Malcolm Grant came off the bench to score a career-high 22, and Antonio Pena added twelve points and three steals.

Dante Cunningham contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Corey Fisher scored 18, including four 3-pointers.

Led by freshman Malcolm Grant, who scored 13 points in the final three minutes of the game, the Wildcats overcame a 21-point deficit in the Big East/SEC Challenge.

Grant finished with 18 points, and Dante Cunningham contributed 13 for Villanova, including the winning basket with 5.9 seconds remaining.

Gavin Grant sealed the victory for N.C. State as he sunk two of three free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining following a controversial foul call.

Referee Jim Burr ruled that Cunningham hit Grant on the left arm, resulting in three free throws.

Villanova's effort was marked by poor free throw shooting, and only two successful three-point attempts.

Villanova's win sets up a second-round matchup with George Mason, which upset 18th ranked Kansas State.