The Villanova Wildcats’ first national championship season since 1985 was largely headlined by a perimeter onslaught courtesy of one of college basketball's foremost backcourts. Now among a handful of favorites to cut the nets once again in 2017, not much is going to change.
The one apparent task for Jay Wright will be replacing Ryan Arcidiacono’s 12.5 points per game and team-leading 39 percent three-point shooting from his floor general role. Arcidiacono’s absence will be evident with ‘Nova’s depth, as the perimeter rotation may have only four proven producers, but the talent and experience is there, nonetheless.
Headlining a quartet cast of perimeter talents is senior wing, Josh Hart. After leading ‘Nova in scoring as a junior with 15.5 points per game, Hart returned to defend the Wildcats’ title as a 2016-17 National Player of the Year candidate and a preseason All-American for numerous outlets.
After an offseason in which Hart trained for the NBA prior to ultimately electing to return to college, the senior has added about 10 pounds of muscle and is expected to be even more explosive than his junior campaign. Considering his 6.8 rebounds off the wing last season was the best effort among all Big East guards, the added size and physicality should prove beneficial as the frontcourt seeks to replace Daniel Ochefu.
An all-around offensive weapon, Hart’s toughness when attacking the rim was evident and carried over to his overall effort and competitiveness last season. Now hoping to take a Buddy Hield-esque step forward as one of college basketball’s most lethal scorers, can Hart add consistency from deep after ‘Nova lost its leading three-point threat over the offseason?
Sophomore point guard, Jalen Brunson, will join Hart in the backcourt as a returning starter.
As a true freshman, the former high school All-American aided ‘Nova’s dual-point guard attack alongside Arcidiacono by way of 16 points and 4.2 assists per 40 minutes. Right out of the gates, Brunson proved to be a perimeter weapon and finished the season with 14 multiple three-pointer games, finishing the season with 49 connections.
The electric lefty will be stepping into a much more pivotal role as a sophomore as a ball handler, scorer and most notably, a distributor—something Brunson is certainly capable after registering 100 dimes last season. And due to Villanova’s versatility, which will see multiple players around the court spend time handling the ball and creating offense, the former Big East All-Freshman guard should be able to take another step forward at what he does best—score.
It’s unclear who will emerge as the starter alongside Hart and Brunson, and Wright will likely have some experimentation throughout the non-conference slate, but he’ll have two tremendous options in junior guard, Phil Booth, and redshirt sophomore wing, Mikal Bridges.
Which look Wright hopes to go for in 2016-17 should ultimately determine the role each play within the rotation.
Both, Booth and Bridges, are defensive assets, but Bridges, a 6’7, 210-pound wing with coveted physical tools, has the potential to become an elite defender in his second season. Bridges is listed at 19 pounds heavier than last season and with a 7’0.5 wingspan, he should be able to wreak havoc in the passing lanes and defend numerous positions even more effectively than last season.
Likely the best NBA prospect on the roster, Bridges has tremendous potential as a slasher and could be on poster watch on a nightly basis, as he runs the floor well in transition and does a great job moving off the ball. The question for Bridges is what offensive impact can he have aside from transition opportunities and spot up jumpers?
Bridges scored in double figures six times last season, including an 11-point showing in the Final Four blowout victory over Oklahoma. If he can improve his ball handling, create his own shot at a improved clip, and connect from the perimeter better than last season’s 29-percent effort, he could become an ideal piece in a starting lineup needing size to compliment a pair of stars in Hart and Kris Jenkins.
Booth, on the other hand, could provide a dual-point guard look similar to what ‘Nova has last season with Arcidiacono. As a sophomore, Booth was the Wildcats primary sixth man, playing 21.9 minutes per game, and he added 12.8 points and 3.9 assists per 40 minutes from that role. But the hope from the ‘Nova faithful is that Booth’s 10-point performance over Oklahoma and career-high 20-point explosion in the national championship victory over North Carolina will become a springboard for his junior season.
A gifted scorer, willing facilitator and adept defender, Booth is poised for a much bigger role in 2016-17, but on a team deep with talent and only one ball, that role may be best suited for increased minutes off the bench as an offensive spark.
Donte DiVencenzo hopes to join the perimeter rotation, as well, after spending most of his freshman season sidelined with a fifth metatarsal fracture. A former four-star prospect, DiVencenzo is an athletic guard at 6’4, 205 pounds, and is equal parts crafty and fearless with attacking the rim. It helps that he can create his own shot and set teammates up as well, though, he didn’t have much time to develop as a freshman due to his foot fracture.
If he can remain healthy, expect the sophomore to solidify his place as a rotational piece going forward, where he should benefit from the talent surrounding him.
Collectively, there may be some early-season kinks to work out with Arcidiacono gone, but with multiple NBA-level talents on the wing and a couple more set for potential breakout seasons, ‘Nova’s backcourt should once again make it one of the nation’s most formidable programs.
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