Can a retooled roster, better health return Villanova to the NCAA Tournament in 2024?
There were a lot of firsts in Villanova last year.
It was the program’s first year under Kyle Neptune, who replaced the legendary Jay Wright. Wright, of course, was at the helm at Villanova for 20 years, winning a pair of national championships in 2016 and 2018.
Last season also marked the first time Nova had a one-and-done player since Tim Thomas went number seven overall in the 1997 NBA Draft. Cam Whitmore was expected to suit up for the Wildcats for a year, make an impact in the Big East, and land somewhere in the top ten of last June’s draft — but sometimes the best laid plans don’t quite work out.
That was certainly the theme for Villanova in 2022-23. Last March marked the first time an NCAA Tournament was played without Villanova in it since 2012. It was both a surprising and disappointing season for a program that entered the season ranked 16th in the AP Top 25, but started the season 2-5 with both Whitmore and star guard Justin Moore sidelined.
Villanova never quite got on track without Moore, who didn’t return from an achilles injury until January 29. And while Whitmore won the Big East Freshman of the Year award, he never quite lived up to the advanced billing, then fell to #20 in the NBA Draft after the season.
In fairness to Neptune, there were a number of factors that led to the program’s disappointing 17-17 season, one that concluded with a loss to Liberty in the NIT.
Injuries were a central theme. Villanova went 10-10 without Moore, lost their first three games after his return, but ended the regular season by winning six of their final eight regular season games — highlighted by wins at #16 Xavier and against #19 Creighton in a four-day span. In addition to Whitmore and Moore, veteran wing Jordan Longino suffered through another difficult season health-wise. Sophomore center Nnanna Njoku played in just four games.
There was also inexperience at point guard following the departure of Collin Gillespie. Wright enjoyed tremendous play at point guard over the past decade with Ryan Arcidiacono giving way to Jalen Brunson, who then handed the reigns to Gillespie.
Mark Armstrong was next in line, but the freshman out of St. Peter’s Prep in New Jersey faced a steep learning curve, averaging 5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, while shooting just 40% from the field and 24% beyond the 3-point arc. Senior Chris Arcidiacono offered little offensively, while redshirt freshman Angelo Brizzi never lived up to expectations and has left the program.
Add it all together with a first-year head coach and the result was the most un-Villanova-like season since the league reconfigured in 2013.