For the 2016-17 Villanova Wildcats, everything starts with Josh Hart. With the departure of Ryan Arcidiacono, Hart becomes the unquestioned leader of this team. It will be Hart that the team looks to to quiet the storm and steady the ship. When the Wildcats need a bucket, you can be sure Hart will touch the ball with the option to shoot or facilitate for one of his teammates. Based on what he showed last year, ‘Nova fans have to feel comfortable with Hart in control.

Hart did a little bit of everything for the Wildcats last season as they marched all the way to the national title. He played 31.4 minutes, averaging 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 51% from the field. He ranked second on the team in minutes, led the team in scoring, was second in rebounds, fifth in assists, second in steals, and fourth in FG percentage. The importance of Hart returning to school cannot be overstated.

Fans can expect similar numbers from Hart in the upcoming season. He will almost certainly lead the team in minutes. There should be a slight uptick in the points category, and he will most likely battle fellow senior Kris Jenkins for the team lead in scoring. His rebounding, assists, and steals should be right in the neighborhood of where they were last year. He is a willing and able passer, and his assist numbers could see a boost as opposing defenses key on him a bit more. Regardless of how the numbers shake out, expect another monster season from Hart. He should continue to contribute in a multitude of ways and be near the team lead in most statistical categories.

As impressive as the numbers are, Hart’s impact on the Wildcats goes well beyond statistics. His experience, from going through three seasons of Big East wars to experiencing disappointing early tournament exits to winning a national championship, will be invaluable. He knows what it takes to climb all the way to the pinnacle, and he knows the sting of unmet expectations. All of this will be huge as he takes over the primary leadership role on the team.

Beyond the experience, there is Hart’s ability to lead by example. He plays basketball the way it is meant to be played. He understands his role and what the team is trying to do, he is unselfish, he is intelligent, and is willing to do whatever it takes to win. His commitment on the defensive end is admirable, and seeing your senior star take such pride and put so much effort into his defense is sure to have a trickle-down effect on his teammates.

Hart’s effort and energy is another aspect of his game that will be huge for the Wildcats. He is constantly flying around the court, getting after loose balls and diving all over the floor. Effort, energy, and toughness are contagious on a basketball team, and like a commitment to defense, the effect is multiplied when it is coming from your star player. Seeing those characteristics from the star player has a tendency to light a fire under the rest of the players. This is the tone that Arcidiacono set for the team last season, and in Hart the Wildcats couldn’t have a better person to step seamlessly into that role.

Jay Wright has made an effort to build true “teams” with groups who buy into what the team is trying to accomplish and make those goals their ultimate priority. This approach has allowed the Wildcats to have a major advantage in depth. It prevents opposing teams from identifying a single player to take away, because there are consistently multiple guys on the court who can do what needs to be done. This also insulates the team from stumbling when one or two guys are having an inevitable off-night.

This year will be no different, but if there is one guy who the Wildcats can’t afford to disappear, it is Josh Hart. Luckily, there is a very small chance that Hart doesn’t meet expectations. His ability to contribute in so many ways makes him effective even on nights when the scoring isn’t there. His attitude will set the tone on a nightly basis. Hart possesses that beautiful combination of skill and attitude. He can fill the stat sheet while possessing off-the-chart intangibles. Villanova couldn’t ask for a better player to lead them in their title defense, and he will enter the season on the short list of Wooden Award candidates.