No. 21 West Virginia Routed by Villanova

Villanova Coach Jay Wright makes no apologies for padding his team’s nonconference schedule with lightweights. Turned out, the first ranked opponent the Wildcats played was the easiest win so far.

Allan Ray scored 26 points and Mike Nardi had 18 to lead Villanova past No. 21 West Virginia, 84-46, Wednesday night, ending the Mountaineers’ season-opening 10-game winning streak.

“It kind of gives them a feeling of what we can be,” Wright said. “I don’t think they’re shocked, but I think they’re feeling real good about it.”

Villanova (8-1) won its seventh consecutive game and had its largest margin of victory in a Big East Conference game.

Victories over then-No. 17 North Carolina State and No. 20 George Washington lifted West Virginia into its first appearance in the Associated Press’ top 25 since March 1998.

“We’re certainly not a juggernaut of a 10-0 team and we proved that today,” Coach John Beilein said.