College Basketball: Villanova Wildcats 2016 Season Preview
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
Villanova Wildcats
Conference: Big East
2015-16 Record: 35-5, 16-2
Head Coach: Jay Wright
Postseason: Beat North Carolina 77-74 in the National Championship Game
Overview
The Wildcats beat North Carolina for the NCAA title on a three pointer at the buzzer by Kris Jenkins for their first title since 1985. The good news for Villanova is the majority of the team is back to seek their second consecutive national championship. The only key losses were guard Ryan Anderson and forward Daniel Ochefu. The leaders of this year’s squad will be Jenkins and Josh Hart. With the leadership returning and the role players ready to contribute more, it won’t be a surprise to see the Wildcats contend for a straight national title.
Schedule Overview
The new season for the reigning champions begins on Nov. 11 as they host Lafayette and then travel to Indiana to take on Purdue on Nov. 14. Next the Wildcats will take part in the Gildan Charleston Classic in Charleston (SC) with Western Michigan, UTEP, Wake Forest and College of Charleston. Other notable non-conference games include playing Notre Dame in Newark (NJ) on Dec. 10, hosting Temple on Dec. 13, and hosting Virginia on Jan. 29.
The Big East conference schedule opens on Dec. 28 with Villanova hosting DePaul. In their second conference game the Wildcats will travel to Omaha to take on a tough Creighton team. Other notable conference games includes Xavier on Jan. 10 and Feb. 11 and both games against Marquette on Jan. 7 and Jan. 24.
Frontcourt
The leader of the team is 6’6”, 240 pounds, forward Kris Jenkins, an Upper Marlboro (MD) product. He averaged 13.6 PPG and shot 38.6 percent from behind the three point line last season. The senior playmaker can spend time at both the forward and guard positions. However due to some depth issues, Jenkins may see most of his time at forward. Another senior who will see time on the floor is 6’8” Darryl Reynolds who had 3.6 PPG and 4.5 RPG. Two more big men who will provide depth will be 6’8”, 280 pound freshman Omari Spellman from North Royalton (OH) and 6’7”, 260 pound sophomore Eric Paschall a transfer from Dobbs Ferry (NY).
Backcourt
The leader of the backcourt is 6’5” guard Josh Hart. Hart averaged 15.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, flirting with the NBA Draft before choosing to return to finish his collegiate career. Another guard who will have a big impact this season will be 6’2” sophomore Jalen Brunson, who averaged 9.6 PPG and made 38 percent of his three point shots. Two more guards who will provide depth this season are 6’3” junior Phil Booth and 6’7” sophomore Mikal Bridges. Booth averaged 7 PPG and shot 87.7 percent from the free throw line. Bridges is like Jenkins, he can also play both the guard and forward positions. He averaged 6.4 PPG and is one of the best defenders on the team.
Final Analysis
Villanova definitely has the talent to repeat as champions. They have depth, team chemistry and the ability to throw out several different lineups as several players have the ability to play multiple positions. Coach Wright won’t have any problem motivating this team as this is the last hoorah for Hart, Jenkins, and Reynolds and they will want to go out on top of the college basketball world once again.
Photo credit: adweek.com; No. 2 Kris Jenkins hits the game winner vs. North Carolina.
Photo credit: bleacherreport.com; Villanova celebrates a national title win.