The New York Knickerbockers were once a bad NBA team, never able to find a winning blend, writes Robert O’Connell for The Wall Street Journal.

Then they looked at the Villanova Wildcats, the college team that cruised to two national titles in three seasons.

Now the 2024 Knicks are the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. Their star is the lead of the 2018 Villanova champions, point guard Jalen Brunson.

New York’s top 3-point shooter is former Wildcats’ marksman, Donte DiVincenzo.

The Knicks’ hustle comes from Josh Hart, the guard who helped take Villanova to the 2016 title.

“Every now and then I think about all of us back at school, competing in practice, getting after it, having little mini-fights,” Brunson said in January. “To see where we are now, it’s really special.”

It’s a dilemma for Villanova fans.

Tom Leibig grew up a die-hard Sixers fan, but also played backup forward with the Wildcats.  

“When you see your college friends out there, it’s hard not to root for them, so as much as it pains me to say it, I’m 100 percent on board with the Knicks right now,” Leibig said

Read more about how these three former Wildcats have bonded playing for the Knicks  in The Wall Street Journal.