A New Look for the Wildcats
Villanova’s basketball program has undergone a near‑complete reconstruction of its roster, a move that underscores the coaching staff’s intent to blend size with seasoned experience.
Only Tyler Perkins and Matt Hodge return from the previous campaign, giving the Wildcats a modest foundation on which to build.
Head coach Kevin Willard has been aggressive in the transfer market, securing commitments from international center Luigi Suigo, forward Kwame Evans and guard Devin Royal, while also reinforcing the backcourt with Elijah Crawford and Darryl Simmons. Sharpshooter Jake Fiegen adds depth off the bench.
The resulting lineup, which boasts a 7‑foot‑3 presence in Suigo and a mix of veteran savvy, has not escaped the notice of preseason analysts. ESPN’s Jeff Borzello remarked that Villanova is “close but not quite there yet” in the Top 25 conversation, even as the team was omitted from the early rankings.
With a schedule that still features traditional powerhouses such as Florida, Duke, Illinois, UConn and Michigan in the top five, the Wildcats hope their upgraded frontcourt will translate into a deeper NCAA tournament run, ideally reaching the second weekend.