Villanova
University (7)
by Jeff Feyerer
Projected Starters
G
6-2
PT%
0.00
G
PTE
0.00
6-3
PT%
76.04
G
HS100 AC/AA
19
Ryan Arcidiacono
PTE
19.30
6-5
PT%
63.68
Jalen Brunson
HS100 AC/AA
55
1-AC
Josh Hart
FR
NBA
41
SR
NBA
JR
PTE
25.72
HS100 AC/AA
94
NBA
80
PT%
46.39
PTE
14.27
HS100 AC/AA
78
NBA
PT%
60.00
PTE
25.77
HS100 AC/AA
45
HMAC
NBA
F
F
6-6
6-11
Kris Jenkins
Daniel Ochefu
JR
SR
Bench Rotation
G
6-3
PT%
36.18
F
PTE
13.27
6-8
PT%
10.07
G
PT%
0.00
F
Phil Booth
Darryl Reynolds
PTE
1.94
6-4
HS100 AC/AA
HS100 AC/AA
Donte DiVincenzo
PTE
0.00
HS100 AC/AA
6-7 Mikal Bridges
PT%
0.00
PTE
0.00
HS100 AC/AA
98
SO
NBA
JR
NBA
FR
NBA
FR
NBA
The set-up was perfect. One of
three teams in America (along with
Kentucky and Arizona) heading into
the tournament with an offensive
and defensive efficiency rank in the
top 15, Villanova seemed poised for
a deep run in March. They had just
finished the regular season 32-2,
running roughshod over Big East
Conference competition.
But in the end, their relatively
weak non-conference schedule and
rampant run through a middling
conference were indicators they
were ill-prepared for the rigors of
the NCAA Tournament, falling to
a middle-of-the-pack NC State,
leaving Jay Wright at the helm for
his 15th season with only one Final
Four appearance to show for it.
The Wildcats lose three starters,
but are very much in the national
conversation because of the ample
talent returning and key new
additions that should be immediate
contributors. Gone are PG Dylan
Ennis (transfer to Oregon), SG
Darrun Hilliard (drafted by
the Pistons) and PF JayVaughn
Pinkston.
Leading the way for the
returnees will be G Ryan
Arcidiacono. Last season’s coBig East Player of the Year is not
impressive when looking at his
counting stats (10.1 PPG, 3.6 APG),
but his steadying hand leading the
team and advanced metrics speak
otherwise.
Arcidiacono led the Big East in
offensive rating and finished in the
top five in true shooting percentage,
effective field goal percentage,
free throw percentage and 3-point
percentage according to KenPom.
com. And he has the ability to play
either guard spot, creating flexibility.
With Pinkston’s departure and
the lack of size on the Wildcats’
front line, senior center Daniel
Ochefu will need to carry a heavier
burden. Ochefu is a rebounding
monster, leading the Big East
in rebounding percentage and
defensive rating. It’s on the offensive
end where his continued progress
will need to be seen. He raised his
per 40 minute scoring from 10.5
PPG to 15.4 PPG last season, but
will need to stay on the court longer
than 28 MPG. Ochefu, if everything
breaks right, has the potential to get
All-American consideration.
Other key returnees that will
need to step up include former
6th Man Josh Hart, who averaged
double figures off the bench and
has found himself on NBA radars, F
Kris Jenkins, an undersized power
forward being thrust into a difficult
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