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SuperNova

A dynasty is usually considered to be a line of hereditary rulers of a country; a succession of people from the same family play a prominent role in business or politics. Dynasties are easily identified with power and dominance; the Ming in China, the Joseon in Korea, the Speech Team at Bradley. The word “dynasty” is now more often seen in a sports or competitive context, and we just witnessed the beginning of a new one Monday night in San Antonio.

The Villanova Wildcats were crowned the champions of college basketball after defeating the significantly less-talented Michigan Wolverines. It was their second championship in the last three years, which many broadcasters claimed cemented their status as a blue blood program. As there becomes less and less parity throughout sports, the dynasties are here to stay.

So, what defines a dynasty? The answer is simple: winning championships across multiple seasons constitutes a dynasty. You’d think that because of rotating rosters in college, dynasties would be harder to come by, but you couldn’t be more wrong. The greatest college basketball dynasty of all time was UCLA, who won 10 championships in 12 years. The UConn women’s basketball dynasty has won 10 rings since 2000.

In college football, Alabama defines dynasty perfectly. The Crimson Tide won three of four championships between 2009 to 2012. Alabama has since won two of the last three BCS title games. Separate dynasties cradled inside one large dynasty.

Although their dynasty is spread out over a longer stretch of time, the New England Patriots have been to seven consecutive AFC Championship games and have won 5 Super Bowls since 2001.

There is something to be said about the differences between what constitutes a dynasty in college versus in the pros. Players only have four years in college, while professional careers span much longer. Take a look at the NBA, where the Warriors can further their dynasty status with another Finals victory this year. Kobe and Shaq three-peated their way to a Lakers Dynasty from 2000 to 2002, which was then followed by the Spurs dynasty from 2003 to 2007. The Heat tried to form a dynasty with Lebron, Bosh and D-Wade, but they only won two championships before disbanding.

In the pros, three-plus championships with the same core group of players should be considered a dynasty: the San Francisco Giants from 2010 to 2012, the Yankees from 1996 to 2003, the Dallas Cowboys from 1993 to 1996. In college two out of three is dynastic. If Villanova can win one more with a player from this year’s roster, it will be undisputable.

If you don’t believe college basketball runs on dynasties, just look at a breakdown by conference. Kansas has won 14-consecutive Big XII regular season titles. Kentucky has won six of eight SEC Tournaments since 2010. Gonzaga has won 21 conference championships since 1994. Wichita State was so dominant in the Missouri Valley Conference that they left for the more competitive American.

Villanova has the dominance factor. They won both Final Four games by at least 16 points. They won every tournament game by at least 12. The Wildcats have a win-loss record of 103-9 over the last three seasons, and they don’t plan on slowing down any time soon.

Only three other teams since 1991 have won the NCAA tournament championship two out of three seasons: Florida, Kentucky and Duke. None of those teams went on to win another championship in the next four-year cycle.

This Villanova team is different. Although they have the potential to lose Jalen Brunson, Omari Spellman and Mikal Bridges to the NBA, this team has a solid core to build around seemingly every year. Donte DiVincenzo’s 31-point outburst in the title game wasn’t a fluke. He’s a genuine star. Eric Paschall is as versatile a player as you’ll find in the Big East.

Jay Wright has built a strong family, a strong succession of players that identify with a tough, winning mentality, that’s become hard to find in the era of one-and-done’s. While other coaches have had to re-stock their rosters by recruiting young talent each year like Kentucky, and recently Duke, Wright has held his group together and stuck with the next man up philosophy. It’s more than paying off.

Is Villanova already a dynasty? Or are they one step away? What do you think constitutes a sports dynasty? We’d love to know what you think. Tweet your response @ScoutSportDesk

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