Villanova Wildcats
Big East (24-7, 13-5)
The last seven NCAA Tournaments have been feast or famine for Jay Wright and the Villanova Wildcats. Villanova failed to make it out of the first weekend in 2013-15, 2017 and 2019, but were national champions in 2016 and 2018. This year’s version of the Wildcats likely falls somewhere in between. Behind a potent offense led by experienced players such as Collin Gillespie and Saddiq Bey, Villanova could find themselves playing in the Sweet Sixteen and beyond.
Big Wins: 12/21 Kansas (56-55), 1/7 at Creighton (64-59), 3/4 at Seton Hall (79-77)
Bad Losses: 11/13 at Ohio State (51-76), 1/4 at Marquette (60-71), 2/29 Providence (54-58)
Coach: Jay Wright
Why They Can Surprise:
As is usually the case under Jay Wright, Villanova has a high-octane offense elevated by the three-point shot. As a team, the Wildcats shoot 35.9% from three-point range on 27.5 attempts per game. Combining their strong three-point shooting with a low turnover rate, Villanova puts together a top-ten offensive efficiency. Villanova’s championship pedigree is another reason to have faith in the Wildcats making a tournament run. Though they have suffered early losses in the past, Jay Wright is still a two-time national champion while lead guard Collin Gillespie was a freshman on the 2018 championship team and has started every game of his sophomore and junior seasons. Coaching and guard play are two of the most important advantages to have in the tournament, and Villanova checks the boxes in both categories.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Even though three-point shooting is a key reason Villanova can advance in the tournament, their reliance on it can backfire on them just as easily. More than half of their field goal attempts have been taken from behind the three-point line this season. In their last three NCAA Tournament losses, the Wildcats shot just 25-82, or 30.5%, from three. When the three-pointers are falling Villanova can be unbeatable, but a cold shooting night can lead to an early exit from the tournament as they have had in the past. Also, the Wildcats’ defense this season isn’t near the level that it was on during their years as a regular 1 or 2 seed. Without a strong defense to lean on, Villanova’s effectiveness on offense becomes much more important.
Probable Starters:
Collin Gillespie, Junior, Guard, 15.1 ppg, 4.5 apg
Justin Moore, Freshman, Guard, 11.3 ppg, 1.9 apg
Saddiq Bey, Sophomore, Forward, 16.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg
Jermaine Samuels, Junior, Forward, 10.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 apg
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Freshman, Forward, 10.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg
Justin Moore, Freshman, Guard, 11.3 ppg, 1.9 apg
Saddiq Bey, Sophomore, Forward, 16.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg
Jermaine Samuels, Junior, Forward, 10.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 apg
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Freshman, Forward, 10.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg
Key Role Players:
Cole Swider, Sophomore, Forward, 6.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Brandon Slater, Sophomore, Forward, 1.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg
Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Junior, Forward, 1.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Brandon Slater, Sophomore, Forward, 1.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg
Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Junior, Forward, 1.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.2 (114th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.4 (90, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.1 (154, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.0 (186, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.9 (11, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.9 (52, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.9 (30, 2)
Rebound Margin: 1.7 (134, 6)
Assists Per Game: 14.5 (63, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.9 (17, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over St. Mary's |
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Purdue |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Radford |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Alabama |
| 2018 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over West Virginia |
| 2018 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Texas Tech |
| 2018 | NCAA | National Semifinal win over Kansas |
| 2018 | NCAA | National Final win over Michigan |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Mount St. Mary's |
| 2017 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Wisconsin |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over UNC Asheville |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Iowa |
| 2016 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Miami (FL) |
| 2016 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Kansas |
| 2016 | NCAA | National Semifinal win over Oklahoma |
| 2016 | NCAA | National Final win over North Carolina |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Lafayette |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to North Carolina State |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Milwaukee |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Connecticut |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to North Carolina |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to George Mason |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Robert Morris |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to St. Mary's |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over American University |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over UCLA |
| 2009 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Duke |
| 2009 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Pittsburgh |
| 2009 | NCAA | National Semifinal loss to North Carolina |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Clemson |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Siena |
| 2008 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Kansas |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Kentucky |
*all team stats through 3/8
