New look Cats produce vintage Villanova performance

With four transfer players taking on a significant role for the 2023-24 Wildcats, including two stepping into the starting lineup, the team opened the season with a performance that looked like it could have been plucked from any time in the program’s recent run of elite play.

TJ Bamba and Tyler Burton jumped right into the starting lineup, while Hakim Hart and Lance Ware joined the party off the bench. They all fit right in immediately.

Villanova got a taste of things to come just two-and-a-half minutes into the game during a sequence in which not one, not two, but three Wildcats went to the floor in pursuit of a loose ball, including both Bamba and Burton (along with Justin Moore). If there was any doubt that the transfers would fit in or buy in, or about the overall culture of the program, it was answered right there.

The transfers made their impact felt in the first half, combining for 14 points and eight rebounds. Each scored at least one bucket and grabbed at least one rebound. Bamba did a bit of everything, scoring from inside and out and adding a pair of free throws. Ware made his presence felt with a nice block and high energy play. Hart tied Jordan Longino for the second-most rebounds on the team with three, trailing only Eric Dixon’s four.

It wasn’t the most dominant Villanova performance in the first half, but three-point shooting kept the score closer than it looked like it should have been. Despite Villanova shooting 57% to American’s 35%, the ‘Cats only led 41-31 thanks to the Eagles connecting on 6-15 from deep. ‘Nova was just 2-10 from beyond the arc.

One thing changed in the second half while another didn’t, and they were both good for Villanova.

What changed was the three-point shooting. Not only did American cool down from beyond the arc, but Villanova heated up. The Eagles connected on just 3-15 attempts while ‘Nova hit 8-17. As a result, Villanova’s lead ballooned to 32 points at one point.

“I thought we just got a little more stingy in the second half, played a little harder,” Kyle Neptune said of the improved three-point defense. “I think our depth really helped us because we were able to continue to play hard throughout the entire 40 minutes.”

That depth was another major factor in Monday’s win. 11 Wildcats saw the court, with 10 of those 11 scoring. Five Wildcats reached double figures: Dixon (15), Burton (15), Bamba (13), Hart (11) and Moore (10). Another ‘Cat finished with nine (Jordan Longino). It’s something the team is embracing.

“It’s a great comfort,” Dixon said of the depth. “Just being able to go out there and give everything up and then know the next guy is coming up to do the exact same thing. I think we have confidence one through fourteen that each person will come in and be committed to what we’re trying to do.”

“Like Eric said, it’s a great comfort to just go in there and play as hard as you possibly can, get on the glass, defend,” Burton added. “The points will come, you’re not really out there just hunting shots. I think it’s a great comfort just having guys playing hard, knowing that you can play hard, come out and the next guys gonna step up and do the same.”

The other thing that didn’t change was playing Villanova basketball, epitomized by hustling and getting on the floor after loose balls. Bamba was on the floor at least four times, including twice on one sequence. Burton hit the deck three times, and they were joined by plenty of their teammates.

One sequence highlighted the night and the effort. Multiple Wildcats had gotten on the floor after a loose ball but were unable to secure it. American’s efforts to take advantage were thwarted by an excellent defensive recovery by the Wildcats that culminated in a Dixon block. The block led to a Burton three at the other end, blowing the roof off Finneran Pavilion. Vintage Villanova basketball.

“That’s just Villanova basketball,” Burton said of the sequence. “We go over it every day, watch it on film, we talk about it every day…sacrificing yourself for the team and earning your honor with your teammates. So I just say that’s a Villanova basketball play.”

Any concerns about chemistry or commitment were calmed in a big way. In addition to the parade of dives to the hardwood, Villanova piled up 19 assists and the defensive rotations were generally sound. The team played together, and it was obvious that the four players who were joining from other programs bought into what Villanova is all about.

“I think we knocked it out the park 100% just in terms of character with the new guys coming in and I think from day one our team just embraced each other and we’re all on the same page,” Neptune said.