No. 22 Villanova ready to regain spot among nation’s elite in coach Kyle Neptune’s second season

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Neptune Assumes Leadership of Villanova’s Basketball Program

Villanova’s program, known for its success in college basketball, has experienced a significant change. With Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright’s surprising retirement last season, Kyle Neptune takes over as head coach. While some expected growing pains, the Main Line team faced numerous losses throughout the season.

Cam Whitmore, a first-round NBA draft pick, suffered a thumb injury that kept him out for a significant portion of the season. Additionally, the Wildcats faced defeats against city rivals Temple and a string of losses in conference play. The season concluded with an NIT loss, falling short of Wright’s high standards.

Neptune’s second season presents an opportunity to exceed the previous year and return the No. 22 Wildcats to national prominence.

St. John’s coach Rick Pitino expressed optimism, stating that Villanova is making a comeback. Pitino believes that it takes time to replace a legendary coach like Wright, especially considering the team’s injuries. According to Pitino, Neptune now has a talented squad.

Villanova’s revival is attributed to several factors:

LOOK WHO’S BACK

Guard Justin Moore, despite battling an injury last season, caught the attention of NBA scouts. Sadly, he tore his right Achilles’ tendon during the 2022 NCAA regional final, preventing him from participating in the Final Four and pursuing a professional career. Moore, motivated by his healthy recovery and the opportunities provided by the program’s name, image, and likeness collective, decided to return to Villanova for another season. Moore, a preseason All-Big East first-team pick, aims to prove himself to NBA scouts and contribute significantly to the team’s success.

Senior forward Eric Dixon, a second-team pick, brings his postseason experience to the team. Dixon played 38 games in the 2022 Final Four team.

Other key players include Jordan Longino, Mark Armstrong, Chris Arcidiacono, and Nnanna Njoku, who is expected to overcome his injury setbacks and make significant contributions in the frontcourt.

LOOK WHO’S HERE

In the past, Villanova rarely gained or lost players through transfers. However, with the changing landscape of college basketball, Neptune and his coaching staff utilized the transfer portal to their advantage. They secured the services of TJ Bamba from Washington State and Hakim Hart from Maryland, both of whom will join Moore and Dixon in the starting lineup. Bamba, a 6-foot-5 guard, averaged 15.8 points per game as a junior, while 6-foot-8 Hart, entering his fifth college basketball season, contributed 11.4 points for Maryland. Despite Hart’s average 3-point shooting, the team is confident in his abilities.

Villanova also welcomed Tyler Burton from Richmond and Lance Ware from Kentucky as key transfers. Burton brings scoring prowess and rebounding skills, having recorded over 1,500 points and 750 rebounds in his career.

THE SCHEDULE

While Villanova was historically dominant in the Big East, they now face strong competition. UConn, Marquette, and Creighton are ranked above them in the national poll. The Wildcats will also face challenging non-conference opponents such as Maryland, North Carolina (at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament), Kansas State, and UCLA before engaging in Big East play.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball