Villanova Wildcats NCAA Basketball Betting
Times are starting to get worrisome for Kyle Neptune at Villanova, as the former Jay Wright assistant nears the start of year three with a 35-33 record to his name. The Wildcats showed improvement from year one to year two and showed flashes of what they could do, including overtime wins over UNC and Creighton. We don’t think Kyle Neptune would be fired this season, but it’s definitely something to talk about with the pressure from the fanbase that is currently out there.
The biggest returner for the Wildcats this season is senior forward Eric Dixon (17 ppg, 7 rpg). Dixon has been an important player at Villanova over the last few seasons and returned to the program to use his fifth year of eligibility. Dixon has a great blend of physicality and skill, can space the floor well with 55 made threes on 34.6% shooting from behind the arc, and is now one of the most experienced players in the country.
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Three others return to the program, including senior guard Jordan Longino (7 ppg). Longino was an important player off the bench last season, averaging 22 mpg, and should see a similar role in 2024-25. Senior forward Nnana Njoku (1 ppg) and redshirt freshman forward Jordann Dumont (Redshirt) round out the list of returners.
Seven players leave the program, all part of the nine-man rotation used by Neptune last season. TJ Bamba (10 ppg), Justin Moore (10 ppg), and Mark Armstrong (8 ppg) all left, leaving no returning starters in the backcourt. The frontcourt lost Tyler Burton (8 ppg, 6 rpg) and Lance Ware (1 ppg) both to graduation. The depth of the backcourt also tanked, with Hakim Hart (6 ppg) and Brendan Hausen (6 ppg) on the way out.
Kyle Neptune went searching for replacements in the portal, finding four players who we all project as starters. Wooga Poplar (13 ppg, 5 rpg at Miami) is probably the most important one, a late commitment shortly after the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline. Poplar broke out last season as a junior, becoming a true three-level scoring threat, even on a bad Miami team. This Villanova team should be better, and Poplar should lead this team in scoring or be a close second to Eric Dixon. Before we get to the guards alongside Poplar in the backcourt, I’ll mention Enoch Boakye (8 ppg, 8 rpg at Fresno State. Boakye transfers in to give the Wildcats some experience, defending and rebounding up front, along with the ability to now move Dixon to the four when wanted.
Villanova took two players from their Big 5 rivals via the transfer portal this offseason, and both look to have important roles in the backcourt. Jhamir Brickus (14 ppg, 5 apg at La Salle) has all you can ask for in a point guard, a guy who is a willing and talented passer (25% assist rate) and can also score the ball himself, including a 40% clip from three. Brickus’ transition to the Big East will likely be the biggest storyline for the Wildcats heading into the season. Tyler Perkins (14 ppg, 5 rpg at Penn) also joins Villanova’s backcourt after a standout freshman season in the Ivy League. Once Perkins entered the portal, it was going to be hard for Neptune to let him leave the city after seeing Perkins score 22 points against Villanova in Penn’s upset win last November.
The incoming freshman class goes four deep for Villanova, including three high schoolers and one international. Freshman forwards Matthew Hodge (4*, NAT 65) and Josiah Moseley (4*, NAT 70) are both highly ranked recruits and should see time as freshmen in the thin frontcourt. Guard Aleksandar Gavalyugov (Bulgaria) could provide something in the backcourt for the Cats, with Jordan Longino the only other projected bench player listed as a guard. Three-star forward Malcolm Thomas (3*, NAT 174) finishes off the class for Neptune.
Latest NCAA Tournament Results
| YEAR |
RESULT |
| 2022 |
Lost Final Four vs. (3) Kansas, 65–81 |
| 2021 |
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (3) Baylor, 51–62 |
| 2019 |
Lost Second Round vs. (13) Purdue, 61–87 |
| 2018 |
Won National Championship vs. (8) Michigan, 79–62 |
| 2017 |
Lost Second Round vs. (25) Wisconsin, 62–65 |
| 2016 |
Won National Championship vs. (3) North Carolina, 77–74 |
| 2015 |
Lost Second Round vs. (8) NC State, 68–71 |
2024-2025 NCAA Basketball Top Teams
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