2020
VILLAnovan basketball preview magazine
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SPORTS EDITORS Dear ’Nova Nation, After twiddling our thumbs waiting for a positive announcement amidst a tumultuous 2020, collegiate basketball is returning. The 2019-20 season did not end the way anyone expected. Hopefully, this season will be completed in its entirety, and we can make it to March. With the men’s team facing national championship expectations and the women’s side kicking off a new era under new leadership for the first time in 40 years, we are excited to give readers a glimpse into what to expect from the Villanova men’s and women’s basketball teams. We would like to give a special thanks to our staff at The VIllanovan for their endless help in making this magazine happen. We would also like to thank Mike Sheridan, Dean Kenefick and the rest of the Villanova Athletics Media Relations staff for assisting in giving us access to student-athletes and staff that are featured. Our staff advisors Michael Bradley and Deena Smith deserve to be recognized for their continuous help throughout the production of this magazine and our weekly print and digital editions. We wish all players, staff and others involved in all basketball-related events good health in the season ahead. Go ’Cats,
Madison Burke and Billy Vinci Co-Sports Editors
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Emily Cox Tyler Kemp DIGITAL EDITOR Ariana Megerian NEWS EDITORS Ryan Harms Cate McCusker OPINION EDITOR Jack Roberge CULTURE EDITORS Grant Carter A.J. Fezza SPORTS EDITORS Madison Burke Billy Vinci SPORTS STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Bryann Barahona Colin Beazley Andrew Brassini Rylie Eisenhardt Andrew Kline Meghann Morhardt Tiane Parris Anders Pryor Alex Tantum Zac Tipton Greg Welsh PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Helena Ernst COPY DESK CHIEFS Molly Baker Christina Iglesias ADVISORS Michael Bradley Deena Smith CONTACT villanovan.eic@gmail.com
4 | The Villanovan
6
Find out who the Wildcats are paired up against for the rest of 2020
12
The Rise to the Top of College Basketball
8
101 Years of Men’s Basketball
10
51 Years of Women’s Basketball
CONT 34
Soap Operas, Ponies & Winning Basketball: A Final Farewell to Coach Harry Perretta
38
Meet the Men
41
Meet the Women
46
Women’s Big East Preview
14
The Legacy of Women’s Basketball at Villanova
22
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A Look at the 2020-21 Season for the Men’s Team
30
All Wright, All Wright
32
Denise Dillon Returns to the Main Line
TENTS 54
From an Underdog to Making History: Meet Collin Gillespie
56
Pandemics, New Coaching & Final Seasons: Raven James Reflects on her Time at Villanova
50
Men’s Big East Preview
58
How a Summer of Unrest Will Make for an Impactful Basketball Season
6 | The Villanovan
MEN’S 2020 SCHEDULE *TENTATIVE*
Nov. 25: vs. BOSTON COLLEGE Nov. 26: vs. ARIZONA STATE / BAYLOR Nov. 30: vs. ST. JOSEPH’S Dec. 3: vs. TEMPLE Dec. 6: @ UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS Dec. 11: @ GEORGETOWN Dec. 14: vs. DePAUL Dec. 16: vs. BUTLER Dec. 19: vs. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINA Dec. 23: @ MARQUETTE
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WOMEN’S 2020 SCHEDULE *TENTATIVE*
Dec. 4: vs. DePAUL Dec. 6: @ ST. JOHN’S Dec. 16: @ PROVIDENCE Dec. 22: vs. UCONN
Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
8 | The Villanovan
101 Years of M 1920s
1930s
1940s
Dec. 21, 1920 Villanova defeats Catholic University, 43-40, in its first game ever. Feb. 16, 1927 Villanova defeats Seton Hall in a game that did not begin until midnight because of a track meet held before the game.
Dec. 3, 1932 Villanova picks up its first win in the Fieldhouse, defeating Cooper Union. March 17, 1939 Villanova defeats Brown in the first ever Final Four. The team went on to lose to Ohio State.
Feb. 12, 1949 Villanova legend, Paul Arizin, scores 85 points against theNaval Air Materials Center. 1949 Arizin becomes the first Villanova player to win National Player of the Year.
1980s
1990s
2000s
Dec. 6, 1980 Villanova defeats Providence in the program’s first Big East game. April 1, 1985 Eighth-seeded Villanova captures its first National Championship title by upsetting Georgetown, 6664, shooting 22-28 from the field.
Jan. 6, 1990 Unranked Villanova blows out No. 1 ranked Syracuse on the road, defeating the Orangemen 93-74. March 30, 1994 The ’Cats earts NIT Championship, led by star-guard Kerry
March 25, 2006 Will Sheridan hits game-winning layup in Sweet 16 against Boston College. March 28, 2009 Scottie Reynolds hits game winning layup against Pitt, sending Villanova to the Final Four.
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Men’s Basketball 1950s
1960s
1970s
1951 & 1955 & 1959 Al Severance leads the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament. The team earned an NIT bid in 1959. Dec. 4, 1959 Jimmy Huggard dishes out a single game school record 16 assists for the ’Cats.
March 3, 1962 Villanova defeats St. Joe’s, 66-59, to sweep the Big 5. 1966 Bill Melchionno wins Most Valuable Player of the NIT, leading Villanova to a third place finish in the tournament.
March 2, 1970 Villanova sets single game scoring record in a 126-96 win over Seton Hall. March 17, 1978 Villanova defeats Indiana to advance to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight
2010s
2020s
BY THE NUMBERS
April 4, 2016 Villanova defeats UNC for the National Championship with a buzzer-beater by Kris Jenkins. April 2, 2018 Villanova takes the National Championship title once again, defeating Michigan 79-62.
2020 Villanova shares the Big East regular season championship title with Seton Hall and Creighton. March 12, 2020 The Big East Conference cancelled its tournament due to concerns of COVID-19 spread.
8 39 3
HEAD COACHES
NCAA TOURNAMENTS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Photos courtesy of: Villanova Athletics, basketballncaa.com, George Halcovage III, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sports Illustrated, Syracuse University, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, CBS Sports, The New York Times
10 | The Villanovan
51 Years of Wom 1969
1982
March 12, 1969 Villanova plays its first ever game in Jake Nevin Field House in front of 500 fans.
Villanova advances to AIAW Final Four in its last season before joining NCAA Division I and the Big East.
1982-83 season Villanova joins the Big East Conference, along with Providence, making them the ninth and tenth members of the original group. 1983-84 season Villanova ties for first place in the Big East for first time.
2000
2001
2003
March 4, 2000 Villanova goes on a 37-20 second half run and sets a Big East Tournament record for fewest turnovers with only two, to defeat Providence 75-53 and advance to the quarterfinals.
March 16, 2001 Katie Davis and Courtney Mix lead Villanova to the first NCAATournament game in 14 years.. February 28, 2002 Perretta coaches in his 1000th game.
1982-1984
February 28, 2003 Villanova, led by Jackie Adamshick and Liad Suez, beats No. 1 ranked UConn at home, continuing a seven game win streak and a 12-0 record at home.
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men’s Basketball 1985-1986
1987
1996
1985-86 season Villanova wins the Big East Conference Tournament for the first time, earning first bid to NCAA Tournament. .
Shelly Pennefather is named the top women’s player in the nation, winning the Margaret Wade Trophy and Kodak All-American Honors.
Led by four seniors from the Philadelphia area, including current head coach Denise Dillon, Villanova wins the Big-Five Title outright.
2006
2017
2018
March 26, 2006 Jackie Adamshick leads Villanova in a win against Xavier to advance to tournament victory in 14 years, beating Drake 66-58, and advancing to the second round.
2016-17 Villanova finishes with a record of 20-15, earning a bid to the WNIT Tournament, where they won four straight home games to advance to the semi-finals.
2017-18 Villanova records sixth straight 20-win season, going 12-6 in Big East play, earning the team their 11th trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Photos courtesy of: Villanova Athletics, 247sports.com, The Associated Press, The Daily Collegian, Villanova University, The Catholic Herald, The Toledo Blade
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Men’s Rise to the Top How Villanova Men’s Basketball Became a Powerhouse Program in Eight Years By Alex Tantum
Courtesy of Newsday.com
The true road began back in 2012. Why go back to 2012? That is where the foundation of the 201516 championship roster was built. At the time, the recruiting class for 2012 wasn’t seen as anything special. It was ranked 27th in the country and fourth in the Big East, with the two highest ranked players, Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu, coming into the program both ranked individually around 50th in the country. Maybe the excellent player development capabilities of men’s basketball head coach Jay Wright could not be fully appreciated in 2012 because of how his teams had played up to that point. The Wildcats had made multiple Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight appearances, as well as a Final Four appearance in the 2008-09 season. Despite those competitions, the ’Cats had not won a national championship since 1985, with legendary coach Rollie Massimino. During Wright’s tenure at Villanova, the Wildcats had their only losing season in 2011-12. As a freshman, Arcidiacono made his presence known during the 2012-13 season, working together with sophomores Darrun Hilliard and JayVaughn Pinkston to help lead Villanova back to the NCAA tournament. Arcidiacano was named to the Big-East All Rookie team, averaging 11.9 points and 3.5 assists per game. In 2013-14, Arcidiacono put up similar numbers and earned more accolades, receiving an honorable mention and all-Big East selection.
Ochefu took a step forward as well, playing a key role off the bench, averaging 5.7 points per game. Meanwhile, the 2013 recruiting class was ranked 36th in the country, with Kris Jenkins and Josh Hart as the top individual recruits. Jenkins was ranked 73rd in the class, and Hart was ranked 92nd. The 2013-14 team finished at the top of the Big East, and the ’Cats made it to the third round of the NCAA tournament. While Jenkins averaged 4.1 PPG off the bench as a freshman, Hart was named to the Big East All-Rookie team selection, averaging 7.8 PPG and 4.0 RPG. At this point in the program, the pieces that Wildcat fans today are familiar with were beginning to come together. Arcidiacono and Ochefu were entering their junior seasons, Hart and Jenkins were set to become sophomores and with more seasoning and experience came greater expectations of success. Pinkston and Hilliard were in their senior seasons, and this group of teammates was expected to compete for a national championship. Perhaps 30 years after the first championship, Villanova fans could get another one. There was promise and hope, but it wasn’t meant to be. The team had a record of 33-3, entering the NCAA tournament as a No. 1 seed for the first time since 2005-2006, when it was led by eventual NBA veterans Kyle Lowry and Randy Foye. However, the Wildcats suffered a heartbreaking loss to No. 8 seed NC State, 71-68. The following year was another opportunity to bring the title back to the main line. Pinkston and Hilliard were significant departures for the ’Cats, but Wright looked to Arcidiacono and Ochefu to fill those leadership positions as seniors. Hart was the Big East’s Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore. He filled a scoring role for the team, while Jenkins showed signs of potential, averaging 6.3 PPG. Sophomores Phil Booth (who earned Philadelphia Big 5
Rookie of the Year honors) and Mikal Bridges (who redshirted his Freshman year) looked to take on larger roles. Incoming freshman Jalen Brunson was expected to have a role as well, having been Villanova’s second highest ranked recruit ever at the time. The regular season was another success, with the team winning their most games ever, 35, and earning a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. Many college basketball fans doubted the team. They thought that Wright and his staff wouldn’t be able to get it done in the biggest moments, when it mattered the most. The tournament itself was convincing proof of the development Wright had made and highlighted the true depth of the team. The first round of the NCAA tournament was an easy 86-56 win over 15-seed UNC Asheville. Ochefu, who earned Honorable Mention AllBig East honors, led the way with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. In the second round, ’Nova picked up another easy win, this time with Hart, who earned unanimous First Team All-Big East honors and was a Third-Team All-American after averaging 15.5 PPG and 6.8 RPG, leading the way with 19 points in the game. In the Sweet 16, Villanova played 3-seed Miami and got another win. Jenkins, who improved substantially as a junior and averaged 13.6 PPG in the regular season, racked up 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Going into the Elite Eight, it was time for the Wildcats to face a No. 1 seed: Kansas. The game was tight, and ’Nova was down by five with 10:50 to play following a free throw made by Wayne Selden Jr. With 8:42 left on the clock, Arcidiacono made a 3-pointer, the Wildcats reclaimed the lead and they never let it go; the Wildcats had advanced to their first Final Four since 2009. In the Final Four game against the Sooners, four of Villanova’s five starters scored in double figures. Bridges contributed off the
Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer
bench, providing arguably the best individual defense performance of the game, with five steals. Shooting 71.4% from the field with six players in double figures, Villanova’s win 9551over Oklahoma was the largest in Final Four history. It’s an understatement to say that the championship game was closer than the Final Four matchup. The ’Cats were up against North Carolina, the legendary program that had produced so many all-time greats and NBA players. In the first half, the game went back and forth, although UNC went on a 9-4 run in the final 3:10, to go up 39-34 at halftime. With 14:08 left in the second half, although the ’Cats tied the score at 44 on a Bridges dunk, and after two free throws Booth made with 5:29 remaining, the team was up 67-57 against the Tar Heels. North Carolina, led by guards Marcus Paige and Joel Berry II, slowly fought its way through the half, and they came back to tie the score on a 3-pointer by Paige with 4.7 seconds remaining. With 1985 championship head coach and Villanova legend Rollie Massimino in attendance watching, Arcidiacono dribbled down the floor, with Jenkins trailing behind him. Arcidiacono “[gave] it to Jenkins, for the championship,” and after three decades of waiting for a big win, the wait was finally over for Villanova fans across the country. ’Nova Nation will always remember the Jenkins buzzer beater, but fittingly enough, the game was
The Villanovan | 13
Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer
once again a full team effort. The final play featured a team-first play by Arciadacono in giving the ball up to Jenkins, and the ’Cats they wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The 2016 championship helped pave the way for the 2018 championship. Bridges, Brunson and Booth, who all had minutes on that 2015-16 team, played large roles in the 2018 win, along with two players who redshirted on that same team: Donte DiVincenzo and Eric Paschall. Since 2012 and the arrivals of Arcidiacono and Ochefu, Wright has only continued to develop players, and that is part of the reason the ’Cats won both in 2016 and 2018. This year, if the Wildcats win they can become the second team in NCAA men’s basketball history to win three championships in six years - a feat only UCLA has accomplished. While Wright has had many great teams to coach since his arrival at the University in 2001, 2012 is where the rise to the title of “Powerhouse Program” began.
14 | The Villanovan
Legacy of Women’s Basketball at novad
By Rylie Eisenhardt
Basketball and tennis were the two varsity women’s programs first officially sponsored by the University in 1969, the first year women were allowed to attend classes at the school, outside of the College of Nursing. In the inaugural 196970 season, women’s basketball went 4-6 under head coach Liz Crawley but improved to 8-5 the following year under new head coach Jane Sefranek. The first 10 or so years of the program could be characterized by a revolving door of coaches and seasons, when fewer than 20 games were played. However, from 1969-1978 the Wildcats suffered only one losing season, when they went 6-11 in the 1976-77 campaign. There still remained much unrealized potential in the program that simply needed the right force to guide it. This came in 1978, when Harry Perretta took over the program and would continue to guide it for the next 42 years. Four years into Perretta’s tenure on the Main Line, the Wildcats officially joined the newly formed Big East Conference. The early days of the Wildcats in the Big East were some of the most successful in program history. From 1983-1989, the Wildcats came in either first or second place in the conference, winning the regular season in 1984 and 1985, the conference tournament in 1986 and both the regular season and conference tournament in 1987. In this time also came multiple, if relatively brief, berths in the NCAA tournament. It was not until the 200001 season when the Wildcats once
again returned to the Big Dance. The 2002-03 campaign remains the most successful postseason in program history, where the Wildcats reached the Elite Eight for the first and only time. Since then, the Wildcats have more or less bounced between deep runs in the WNIT and early round exists in the NCAA tournament, with their most recent NCAA appearance in 2018, ending in a Round of 32 loss to West Virginia, and a WNIT appearance in 2019, ending in the second round. Many incredible women have been a part of this program. One of the most interesting and impactful players to ever play for the University was Mary Michelle “Shelly” Pennefather, known today as Sister Rose Marie of the Queen of Angels. Before college, Pennefather
led Bishop Machebeuf Catholic High School in Denver to three consecutive state championships and a 70-0 record. Her senior year of high school was spent at Notre Dame High School in Utica, N.Y., where she won another state championship with another undefeated record of 26-0. Being undefeated in high school in two different states and being selected to play for youth national basketball team tournaments was only the beginning of her achievements. Pennefather played forward for the University from 1983-1987. At the time, she was the all-time leading scorer for both women and men with a career total of 2,408 points. She averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game in her career. Pennefather won Big East Player of the Year three times, and
Villanova’s first womens basketball team was in 1969. Courtesy of Villanova Spring 2019 Magazine
in 1987 she was not only named First Team All-American but the winner of the Wade Trophy, which is presented to the best women’s basketball player in the country for NCAA Division I competition (the reigning Wade Trophy winner is Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu). After graduating from the University in 1987 as the most decorated basketball player in program history, Pennefather went abroad to Japan, where she played three years professionally for the Nippon Express. When she returned to the United States in 1991, she decided to enter monastic life with the Poor Clares in Alexandria, Virginia. In keeping with the tradition of the Poor Clares’ cloistered life, Pennefather had her first physical contact with her family in 2019 since she became a nun in 1997. She will not be able to do so again for another 25 years. Some other notable alumni include Stephanie Gaitley and Denise Dillon. Gaitley played at the University from 1978-1982. In 1982, she was named an academic All-American, as well as the Eastman Kodak All-America team for the 1981-82 season. She is sixth all-time on the Villanova rebounding list and was inducted to both the Villanova Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 1996. Since graduation, she has been the head coach of numerous major programs, including rival Saint Joseph’s. She is currently entering her tenth year as head coach for Fordham’s women’s team. Dillon played guard at Villanova from 1993 to 1996. In that time she earned three All Big-East honors and was the twelfth player in school history to score 1,000 points. She has since been enshrined in the Big 5 Hall of Fame, the Villanova Hall of Fame and the Delaware County Athletics Hall of Fame. After her playing days were over, Dillon joined Harry Parretta’s coaching staff from 1997-2001. She then became the head coach
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Sister Rose Marie started her career in 1983 and dominated the Big East. Courtesy of The Arlighton Catholic Herald
of nearby Drexel in 2003 and has since been named CAA coach of the year in 2005, 2009, 2018 and 2019. Dillon is the program’s most successful coach since Drexel’s 1982 move to Division I. However, she is now primed to take the reins from Harry Parretta as the first new Villanova women’s basketball head coach in 42 years. More recently, many exciting players have come to the Main Line. Recent graduate Adriana
Class of ‘18, Adrianna Hahn Courtesy of the DelcoTimes
Hahn was one of the most prolific three point shooters in conference history. She was a three-time Delaware Player of the Year and a three-time Gatorade Player of the Year in high school. Once in college, Hahn scored over 1,500 points in her career and broke both the Villanova and Big East record for career threes made. Current sophomore Maddy Siegrist averaged a team-leading 18.8 points per game in her freshman campaign last year, which made her the second highest scoring freshman in the country. ESPN named Siegrist a top-10 freshman in the country last year. She set the program record for points scored in a season by a freshman (583) and recorded the third 40-point game in program history. For her efforts, she was named unanimous Big East Rookie of the Year, first team All-Conference and tied a Big East conference record for most Rookie of the Week awards (10), in addition to receiving Big 5 Rookie of the Year and firstteam All-Big 5 honors. Villanova women’s basketball has come a long way since the days of wearing dresses and collared shirts as uniforms. Without a doubt, the program’s history is rich, and it’s legacy is only beginning. From the strong foundation of Perretta’s 42 seasons on the Main Line, the program is poised to enter into an exciting new era under head coach Dillon.
16 | The Villanovan
from the archives: NEVER FORGET THE LEGACY OF THESE 2016 WILDCATS By TJ Farrell April 5, 2016
Holy Massimino ’Nova Nation, its time to rejoice! Your 2016 Villanova Wildcats are National Champions. Out of the 337 Division 1 college teams, your team is the last one standing. Never forget how their magical run has happened thus far: Never forget our heroes on the bench: Pat Farrell, Kevin Rafferty,and Henry Lowe. Never forget the roar of the crowd when any one of those three would take off their warm-ups and check into the game. These three walk-ons have grown from the enthusiastic telescoping bench presence into dedicated leaders. Never forget the sight of those guys swinging the net on that ladder in Louisville or them recording minutes in a National Semifinal game. Never forget the likes of Delaney, DiVincenzo, Paschall, Father Rob and the entire coaching staff. As Jay Wright said, Father Rob gave the best homily to the team before the Championship. Never forget that they do things for this team that will never be publicized. Never forget the evolution of Darryl Reynolds. When Ochefu went down with a concussion in January, Reynolds experienced unexpected playing time and really
developed into a key big man off the bench. Plays like denying Kansas’ momentum changing alley-oop attempt are the plays that need to happen to win games. Never forget the emergence of Mikal Bridges. He who used to pump up the team with his pregame dance moves now electrifies the crowd with outstanding plays. Never forget his put-back dunk at Butler or his gravity defying put-back layup against Kansas. Most importantly, never forget that immediately iconic image of him diving on the final loose ball of the game, clinching the Wildcats’ first Final Four trip since 2009. Never forget Phil Booth’s. After bursting on to the scene as an offensive threat as a freshman, Booth saw his numbers go down as a sophomore. However, he has taken on a new roll this season: defensive stopper off the bench. And never forget how that role changed in the blink of an eye in Monday night’s championship game, as that defensive stopper dropped in an incredible 20 points off the bench when the Wildcats needed it most. Never forget the new kid on the block. Since day one, Jalen Brunson has never shown any signs of being nervous or timid against the toughest competition. He is a
freshman mature beyond his years. Never forget those nasty Euro-steps at Marquette and Oklahoma in the Final Four or his breakout performance at Temple. Never forget the “Big Ticket” or “Big Smooth” or whatever you may refer to him as. Never forget Kris Jenkins and what he has done this season. After starting off slowly, Jenkins turned into one of the hottest sharp shooters in the country. Never forget how tranquil he was his first two years, and how he transformed into the vocal and emotional leader of the latest legendary Wildcats squad. Never forget the epic reverse dunk against Providence or the shot against Miami that he hit from Pike Lot. I know its nearly impossible to do so, but never forget the shot the kid from Upper Marlboro, Maryland hit on the biggest of stages against his brother, North Carolina’s Nate Britt, which immediately was etched into the minds of the ‘Nova Nation as the greatest shot in school history. Never forget Josh Hart, the sixth man of the year that grew into a national superstar before our eyes. Never forget all of those high soaring rebounds he captured and all those times he found himself in a fan’s lap after diving after a loose
The Villanovan | 17
ball. Whenever the team needed a bucket, it was Hart. Whenever they needed a rebound, it was Hart. His performance in the semifinals against Oklahoma was second to none. Never forget the season Josh Hart has had so far. Never forget the chef in the middle of the paint. Daniel Ochefu’s fun loving smile off the court coincides nicely with his ferocious post moves and incredible touch around the rim. Never forget how much pain their captain has battled through this season in order to battle on the court with his family. Whenever the team needed a bucket to slow down a Tar Heel run in the Championship, it was Ochefu posting up down on the block that was the go to move for the Wildcats. Never forget the humbling words Jay Wright spoke about his big man after the Championship, saying how Ochefu stopped the coaches from entering the locker room at halftime so he and Arcidiacono could talk to the team alone. A reminder for this player isn’t needed, but never forget the heart and soul of this team. As Jay Wright has often alluded to, Ryan Aricidaconos don’t come around very often. Never forget who the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four was. He may not have
filled up the stat sheet like he normally does against the Tar Heels, but he was the most important player on the court for the ‘Cats. Never forget that you saw Ryan Arcidiacono win his final game as a Wildcat. Unlike so many players who see their college careers end in tears after a heartbreaking tournament loss, the only tears he shed were tears of joy in an epic embrace with his father-like figure of a coach. Never forget how much he means to this team. Never forget the architect of this Final Four squad. 2016 has been quite possibly Jay Wright’s greatest coaching job yet. Never forget the reaction he had to Jenkins’ game-winning shot, one that filled with shock, excitement and endless amounts of other emotions. Why would you ever, but just in case, never forget the 2016 Naismith Coach of the Year, Jay Wright Never forget how you felt after Oklahoma in Hawaii, Virginia, Providence in a blizzard, Xaiver and Seton Hall. Especially that Seton Hall one at the Garden. That pain makes this run that much sweeter. Never forget the feeling you had going into halftime up seven on Kansas or down five to UNC. That 30 minute halftime felt like it lasted
40 days. Never forget where you were and who you were with when Hart picked off that final pass. Never forget the feeling you had on Easter’s eve when that clock hit all zeroes. Never forget the historic rout that Villanova put on against the same Oklahoma team that ran them out of the state of Hawaii in December. The Wildcats had a shot at revenge and boy did they hit it out of the park. Finally, never forget Monday, April 4, 2016. Never forget how you felt throughout the whole game. Most of all, never forget how you felt when you saw that shot you had seen all year from Kris Jenkins, fall through the bottom of the net. Remember who you were with, who you hugged first, where you were and where you celebrated first. Championships are so rare and what makes them so special is sharing with the people around you. Give a call to loved ones, share your experiences with your family and friends. Never forget how special this is and how “once in a lifetime” this past weekend actually was. Never forget the 2016 Villanova Wildcats because championships only come around every 31 years.
18 | The Villanovan
MEN’S
BEST MOMENTS OF By Andrew Brassini & Meghann Morhardt
#1 #2
2019-20
Samuels nails a clutch three to topple No. 1 Kansas Insanely close game resulting in a one point victory? Check. Clutch shot in the final seconds? Check. Knocking off the nation’s #1 squad in wild upset fashion? Oh yeah, that’s a check too. Undoubtedly the pinnacle of Villanova’s 2019-2020 season, the Wildcats defeated the No.1 Jayhawks in a heart-pounding instant-classic, providing the Nova Nation with a nice little Christmas present leading into last year’s holiday season. Samuels led the way for the Wildcats with 15 points, including a dagger three-pointer to clinch the 56-55 victory. Easily the greatest moment of the season as it proved that the 2019-2020 Wildcats were capable of beating any team across the country.
Saddiq Bey’s 33-point barrage at the Wells Fargo Center This game showcased one of the most prolific individual shooting performances of the year. Scoring 33 points on just 15 shots, including 8 for 10 from deep, Bey pulled up from anywhere and everywhere as he torched the Hoya defense at the Wells Fargo Center. These eight threes tied the all-time Villanova record for most threes in a single game, and the sophomore’s 33 points also tied his own personal college career high.
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#3 #4 #5
One point victory in season finale against Georgetown to clinch Big East Championship The Wildcats ended the game on a 5-0 run in the final minute to pull out a miraculous comeback at the Capital One Arena, clinching the regular season conference title after a season filled with intense Big East showdowns. Robinson-Earl capped off his tremendous freshman campaign with the finishing blow, forcing a turnover and hitting the layup-and-one with mere seconds left on the clock. This final victory would position Villanova as the second seed in the (unfortunately cancelled) Big East Tournament, sitting behind only Creighton.
Narrow victory against No. 8 Seton Hall to spoil outright title A classic late-season clash between two titans of the Big East. Bey, Samuels and Moore combined for 58 points in a contest in which the eighth ranked Pirates trailed the entire second half. The Wildcat victory denied Seton Hall sole possession of the Big East regular season title, laying the groundwork for a possible three-way tie atop the conference...
Gillespie’s 29-point performance to rout Big 5 rival Temple The Wildcats dominated Big 5 competition last season, going a perfect 4-0 and winning every game by double digits. Gillespie’s performance perfectly captured this dominance, as the guard erupted for a season-high 29 points in the 76-56 victory, draining 7-11 from deep. This win clinched the Big 5 title for the ‘Cats for the sixth time in seven years, further cementing Villanova as Philly’s premier basketball program.
20 | The Villanovan
WOMEN’S
BEST MOMENTS OF By Andrew Brassini & Meghann Morhardt
#1 #2 #3
2019-20
Wildcats take down nationally ranked DePaul on a momentous day On Senior Night, and head coach Harry Perretta’s last home game - February 23, 2020 - the Wildcats defeated nationally ranked DePaul by 18 points. DePaul was ranked #12 nationally and #1 in the Big East with a record of 15-2 in conference play. Senior Cameron Onken recorded the second triple-double in school history with 12 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists. Redshirt freshman Maddy Siegrist recorded 29 points, giving her a season scoring total of 505 points and making her Villanova’s all-time freshman scoring leader. Wildcats redeem themselves against Marquette with intense defense On February 21, 2020, the ‘Cats defeated Marquette 61-47 behind an impressive performance from seniors Bridget Herlihy and Mary Gedaka. Villanova lost to Marquette 57-52 earlier in the season and was looking to avenge this loss entering the second matchup. The Wildcats totaled 10 three pointers in the match and held Marquette to only five points in the 2nd quarter. Herlihy, Gedaka and Siegrist score in double digits for Big Five win In the middle of conference play, on January 15, 2020, Villanova played non-conference opponent UPenn and secured its share of the Big Five Title with a 70-58 victory in the Finneran Pavilion. After being tied late in the third quarter, Villanova went on a 27-15 run to close out the game. Three ’Cats scored in double digits with Herlihy, Gedaka and Siegrist scoring 13, 21 and 27 points respectively. Senior Cameron Onken added 12 rebounds to seal the victory and the program’s 17th Big Five Title.
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Gedaka sinks crucial three against undefeated St. Johns On January 5, 2020, Villanova defeated St. John’s 6762 in an OT thriller on the road. This game marked the Wildcats’ third win in conference play, as they gave St. John’s their first conference loss. Gedaka hit a three-pointer, assisted by junior Raven James, with 16 seconds left in overtime. The Red Storm got a solid game-tying three point attempt, but it was off target. James secured the defensive rebound and went on to sink two game-sealing free-throws. This was not the only OT victory for the Wildcats. Raven James scores career high of 20 points in overtime On March 6, 2020, Villanova beat Xavier 64-56 in the first round of the Big East Tournament in overtime. James had a career high 20 points, going 6-of-7 from three-point range. The ’Cats performed well under pressure, sinking 5-of-6 free throws in the last 28 seconds to secure the victory.
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THE 2020-21 Toward the end of last year, the Villanova men’s basketball team reached its way into the AP Top 10 on multiple occasions, being ranked as high as eighth in the country. Fans went into the year knowing the team was going to live up to the usual standard of Wildcat basketball, yet the team put itself in a position where it might be considered a realistic contender for the national title. The stats were there; the players were there; the culture was there; the attitude was there. This year, nothing is expected to change. This season will be the first of a few seasons without former small forward Saddiq Bey. Bey put up highly impressive numbers in his sophomore season under head coach Jay Wright: 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1 steal a game, shooting 47% from the field, 45% from behind the arc and 77% from the charity stripe. Bey was the backbone of the team and a on court leader, both for production and morale. Last year brought impressive freshman performances.
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Fans knew that Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was going to be good; he was more than just that. The IMG product became a core piece on both ends of the floor the second the season opened up. He put up 10.5 points for every contest along with 9.4 rebounds, which was at the top of the Big East. There were also consistent efforts from DeMatha prospect Justin Moore, who put up 11.3 points a game on nearly 40% three-point shooting. He embodies the mold of the Villanova guard: an underdog who works hard on every play and has an extra flash to his game to make him noticeable on the court. While fans didn’t see too much of him last season due to injury, they should expect to see a lot more of shooting guard Bryan Antoine this season. His production was limited during his time of recovery, but after some time off, he should be able to show fans his diverse and explosive skill set. The team has three seniors: Collin Gillespie, Dhamir
SEASON Cosby-Roundtree and Jermaine Samuels. Gillespie has taken the role of the leader of the team since the departure of Ryan Arcidiacano. He is a floor general who is expected to fulfill high expectations, as he is consistently regarded as one of the most important returning seniors in the NCAA. He is expected to continue to shoot and run the floor in his pure point guard mold. Samuels and Cosby-Roundtree have been two completely foundational big men for the roster. Wright will be entering his twentieth season as the head coach of men’s basketball at the University. With many returning players and no new freshman until next year, Wright will have continuity and consistency of improvement for his players this season. This year has been busy for Wright as a coach, as there were many rumors revolving around Wright taking the head coaching position for the Philadelphia 76ers. After speculation, Wright said that he was not a candidate and that The Pavilion is his home. He will proudly take
the charge this year for the team and do everything he can to lead this roster to its highest potential for the upcoming season. Last year, the Big East took a big leap in overall performance in the NCAA. During the season, four of the 10 programs made their way into the AP Top 10 at some point during the season: Villanova, Seton Hall, Butler and Creighton. Three were also consistent AP Top 25 appearances from Xavier and Marquette. History shows that Villanova will remain at its previous standing. Programs like Creighton, Xavier, Butler, Seton Hall and Marquette will all be in interesting situations regarding their continuity to last year, as they will all be losing critical pieces of their offense that were much more centric to the entire scoring load, compared to Bey. The Blue Jays lost TyShon Alexander, the Musketeers lost Quentin Goodin, the Bulldogs lost both Kamar Baldwin and Sean McDermott, Seton Hall lost Myles Powell and Marquette lost Markus Howard.
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from the archives: VILLANOVA COMMUNITY CELEBRATES ANOTHER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP By Jack Judge & Isabella Nardone April 4, 2018
It was supposed to be once in a lifetime. One shining moment. The University and the members of its community partied like it was 1985. This past Monday, however, redefined the experience of March Madness for the Nova Nation— both on campus and across the country. The achievement of winning the Division One Men’s Basketball NCAA National Championship is coveted by all programs but few actually come close to attaining this penultimate degree of success. For the second time in three years, the University’s basketball team was victorious and the celebrations unfolded accordingly. Many of the roads leading to campus, including Lancaster Avenue, were closed as part of the safety precautions for the reaction to the game. SEPTA also
made the decision for no trains to stop on campus once the game had started. There was also a very strong law enforcement presence with SWAT teams, riot police, crowd control measures and other special units to enforce the rule of law. Nonetheless, these efforts did not stop students from rejoicing in the team’s third NCAA championship title in the school’s history. Due to the construction of Finneran Pavilion, which served as the main game watch venue in 2016, the University set up two main locations on campus: outside at The Oreo as well as throughout the Connelly Center with centralized locations in Belle Air Terrace and the Villanova Room. The Oreo had two outdoor projector screens and carnival games set up for students to watch
the game under a full moon. Members of the community filled the Villanova Room to maximum capacity and a sizable crowd went to Belle Air Terrace. Freshman Billy Loewen ’21, attended the outside watch party and was soaked in the occasion. “It’s definitely a great feeling to be able to come to this school that’s known for basketball and see them be the best team in the nation,” said Loewen. “All I can hope for now is that this isn’t the last time that I get to experience all of this while I’m still at Villanova.” For some upperclassmen who were at the University for the 2016 championship, this year’s game presented an opportunity for a different experience. Juniors Liam Ryan ‘19 and Richard Masiello ’19, took
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advantage of the Easter Break to travel to San Antonio and attend the Final Four game as well as the championship game, in person. “It was crazy to see the extent to which the city was packed with fans from all teams,” Masiello said. “You couldn’t walk anywhere without someone yelling something about one of the Final Four teams.” This unique atmosphere created an incredible energy which provided something very distinct compared to being on campus. Being at the game, according to Ryan, demonstrated the magnitude of the Villanova community in both size and passion as they traveled far and wide to show their support. Ryan further described how the incredible combination of students, alumni and fans made the celebration of the game a
memory which would last forever. When the final buzzer for the game sounded, blue and white confetti rained down from the sky and cheers erupted all over campus. Students instantly fled the Connelly Center, The Oreo and their dorms on campus for Lancaster Ave. Although Lancaster Ave. was completely closed, students who watched the game at Kelly’s Taproom ran all the way down the road until finally stopping at the University. Meghan Dwyer ‘19 described this particular experience as “surreal.” “Watching the game in Kelly’s and rushing out onto Lancaster after the game was something I will never forget,” said Dwyer. “As a junior, it’s not lost on me how lucky I am to be able to experience two national championships.”
Despite the unforgettable night, Dwyer said that her freshman year experience slightly tops this years. “Freshman year it was such a rush to win on a buzzer beater, and I don’t think the campus was fully ready for the celebrations that occurred. This years celebrations were definitely toned down a bit, but still both nights go down as some of the best of my life.” Perhaps it is the fleeting possibility of another success that makes the celebration and significance of these types of games so special. The capacity for this team’s success to have positive impacts on the University and its surrounding community are monumental in both principal and realization. As a result, one shining moment can become everlasting.
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The 2020-2021 Season By Colin Beazley
The 2020-21 Villanova Women’s Basketball Season will be a season of transition, as first year head coach Denise Dillon takes the reins from Harry Perretta, a beloved figure who led the program for the last 42 years. After playing for Villanova from 1993-1996, Dillon returns home after 17 years as head coach at Drexel University. In that time, she built the Dragons into a perennial contender, and she’s looking forward to continuing her success at her alma mater in her first season with the Wildcats. Led by unanimous allFirst Team Big East selection Maddy Siegrist, Villanova was picked to finish seventh in the conference in a poll of Big East coaches, identical to last season’s result. However, with the addition of Connecticut to the conference this year, the standing marks a slight improvement. In the 2019-2020 season, Villanova finished with an 18-13 record, going 11-7 in the Big East, and likely headed to the NIT before the Coronavirus shut the season down. The conference was incredibly competitive, as Creighton, Butler, St John’s, and Seton Hall all finished with equal records to the Wildcats in conference play. However, they all finished ahead of the ’Cats due to superior records in nonconference competition. The key to Villanova’s success was the team’s stellar defense, as the Wildcats allowed
a league best 58.4 points per game. However, the team’s leaders in blocks (Bridget Herlihy) and steals (Mary Gedaka) both graduated. On the offensive side, Siegrist will continue to lead the offense. The 6’1” forward was the unanimous Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-Big East Team last season, leading the Wildcats in scoring, rebounds, and three point percentage. She also led the league in twenty point games and dou-
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ble doubles, scoring in double figures in 28 of the 31 games she played. Nationwide, she was the second highest scoring freshman, totalling 583 points. However, the Wildcats will need to replace their second leading scorer, as four year contributor Gedaka graduated. Gedaka was seventh in program history in points scored over her career, and ninth in rebounds. Gedaka averaged 17.4 points per game, fourth in the Big East. The team will also have to replace two other starters in Herlihy and Cameron Onken, who both graduated. Herlihy and Gedaka both started all 30 games for the Wildcats, and Onken started 28, leaving a gaping hole in the Wildcat roster. All three were in the top four in minutes played for the season, along with Siegrist, as Villanova utilised the same lineup for the vast majority of the season. The only other returning starter for the Wildcats is senior guard Raven James, who started all 30 games and had 107 assists last season. In the first game of the 2020 Big East Tournament, James scored a career high 20 points to lead the Wildcats over Xavier, and that scoring touch will be needed this year to cover for the loss of the three seniors. Elsewhere on the roster, Brianna Herlihy is slated for solid contributions this year, after a knee injury ended her 2019-2020 season after just two games. Sarah Mortensen is an-
other player the team is excited about, as the Miami transfer will be able to play after sitting out the 2019-2020 season due to transfer regulations. The senior played in every game for a 25-9 2018-2019 Hurricanes squad, hitting over 40 percent of her attempts from three point range. Brooke Mullin will also be expected to take on a larger role this season, as she appeared in all 31 games last season but only averaged 14 minutes and 2.8 points per game. Four new freshmen will also feature this year for Villanova, as Lior Garzon, Kylie Swider, Taliyah Medina and Bella Runyan all join the squad. If the team is able to transition successfully, both from Perretta to Dillon and in replacing the starting seniors, then this year could be very successful for the Wildcats. With a strong sophomore campaign from Siegrist and contributions from elsewhere on the roster, good things could be on the table in Coach Dillon’s first year.
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Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Courtesy of Villanova Women’s Basketball
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from the archives: WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ADVANCES TO FINAL FOUR OF WNIT By Dave Jarman March 28, 2017
After a thrilling overtime victory over James Madison and a hard fought game in a hostile crowd against Indiana, coach Harry Perretta and Villanova’s Women’s basketball team are headed to the semi-finals of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) for the first time in school history. After the excitement coach Perretta is happy with his team’s success. “Extremely happy”, Perretta said. “We are a young team, started out 4-8 at one point, and now we have 20 wins.” Despite the slow start, this season has been nothing short of successful. “They are very excited,” Perretta said. “They are just happy to see their progression (since the beginning of the season) and happy to still be playing.” One of the main reasons why Wildcats have had success of late is their guard play. Junior guard Alex Louin has played consistent basketball throughout the WNIT Louin has totaled 75 points, averaging 18.8 points per game, including a 15 point perfor-
mance against James Madison and 18 at Indiana. After completing her 24th game scoring in double figures this season, Coach Perretta loves they way she plays because she is a complete player. “She’s real valuable because she does more than just score”, Perretta said. “She rebounds, she passes, she defends. So she does a little bit of everything. She plays point guard, so we need her to do a little bit of everything.” Another top performer for the Wildcats on this run is sophomore Jannah Tucker, who has scored 41 points in the past two games, including a game-high 19 against Indiana. For a player that sat out two seasons, one due to a knee injury, she has played a major part in the team’s success. “She’s getting healthier,” Perretta said. “She had a bad knee, so it gets better. As her knee gets better, she plays better. This is her first time playing in two years, so every game she plays, she hopefully gets to be a little more comfortable.” In addition to Tucker and Louin, the Wildcats have had con-
tributions from their underclassmen. Freshman guard Kelly Jekot and forward Mary Gedaka have provided stability for the Wildcats off the bench and have contributed on both ends of the floor. “Both Kelly and Mary have been able to give us points off the bench, something that we lack,” Perretta said. “Kelly gives us another guard. She’s a six-foot guard (who) can play the two (guard) and three, so she gives us a multi-positional player. She can also shoot the three.” “Mary does a good job,” Perretta said. “She’s a little undersized at center, but she mismatches the big kids pretty well.” One minor flaw the Wildcats have had during their run in the WNIT is their inconsistency shooting the basketball. In last Sunday’s win against Indiana, the Wildcats were on fire in the first half; They were 15/28 from the field, including 10/17 from behind the arc. In the third quarter of that game, Indiana held the Wildcats in check, as Villanova was a measly 3-18 shooting in the third quarter.
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“It’s a little frustrating, (but) there’s nothing you can really do about it,” Perretta said. “You just have to live with it. We do have some extreme highs and lows; it’s amazing.” This is partially due to their offensive style, as Villanova plays with four guards out on the perimeter; living and dying by the outside shot. In order to keep his team’s confidence up, he continues to tell his players to have a shooter’s mentality, that shooters are going to keep on shooting. “I just tell them to keep shooting,” Perretta said. “You have to keep shooting your way out of it. Those were the same shots you made 10-15 minutes ago, so you keep shooting them until they start going in again.” One player who is in a bit of a slump right now is point guard Adrianna Hahn. The sophomore from Ursuline Academy has totaled 19 points in the last two games, including a six-point performance against James Madison. Although this is rough for a player who can go on a scoring tear at any point in a game,
including a 33-point performance in a double-overtime win against Xavier this season, she has matured from her freshman year to her sophomore season. “She (has) developed pretty well,” Perretta said. “She’s going through a little bit of a slump shooting the ball in the past two weeks, but overall she’s gotten better defensively. She’s gotten more of a grasp of the offense, so she’s improved more mentally than physically.” With their four-game winning streak heading into Wednesday night’s matchup against the Michigan Wolverines, the Wildcats have the confidence that they can go into any environment and win, and their coach agrees. “Right now they do,” Perretta said. “They just played in front of 5,000 people at Indiana and then about 3,000 at JMU so they feel pretty confident.” Perretta credits the difficulty of playing in the Big East as a part of why these “road-warriors” have not been phased in any game. “Yeah I do,” Perretta said.
“The Big East was pretty tough this year. We were 10-8 (in Big East Play), and we played a lot of tough teams in the league. It prepared us to play some of these tougher games” Even if they are in a shooting slump, the Wildcats will try to stick to their game plan, add fast break opportunities and have their quicker guards drive to the basket. “That’s what you try to do, and then hope we have decent shooting games,” Perretta said. “We try to drive the ball a lot more recently, and we have been trying to fast break more recently to try and get some easier baskets. (But) If we can make 10 threes or more we have a chance to beat anybody.” Against the Wolverines at 7 p.m. Wednesday night, the Wildcat’s game plan won’t change because they are a confident group that feels they can get the job done. “We will try to do the same things we always try to do,” Perretta said. “Take the game under our control, score low, and try to make a lot of threes.”
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ALL WRIGHT ALL WRIGHT After 19 seasons of unprecedented head coaching, Jay Wright has found himself and his team in an extremely unusual situation. COVID-19 has muddled the typical preseason that the Wildcats typically have. However, Wright has not allowed that to stop the preparation for the team. The summer and preseason have not looked the same. No scrimmages have been played, and the team has only just begun to practice together. “There are so many variables,” Wright said. “We have to be ready to adjust more than any season.” The Wildcats have been abiding by the University’s strict COVID guidelines. However, the athletes are still on a college cam-
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pus. Even though Wright has not tested positive himself, he says that he gets tested once a week. When the team finally got the all-clear to come back to campus in August, practice was highly restricted. Players practiced in groups of four, pods, for all of August and through September, before finally being able to practice as a full team later in October. “Our summer is a big part of our program,” Wright said. “We have our guys here during June and July, and it’s a big part of our player development and we didn’t get it.” During this player development, Wright explained that new and old student-athletes get acclimated with the team values, plays and bonding as one unit.
By Madison Burke The team has now been able to practice and live together for a few months. “If this would’ve been the year before with all the new guys coming in, I might have been out of my mind,” Wright said. “What settled me was that we did have veterans.” Villanova has no incoming freshman for the 2020-21 season, which allowed the coaching staff and team to focus on strengthening the values that they already learned from the previous year. However, Wright did note that one player, in particular, came back in extremely good shape, Cole Swider. Swider came back from the summer strong and confident to start another season. “I can’t say I’m surprised because he is a really hard-working guy,” Wright said. “As a team, we came out of the summer much better than I thought we would.” However, without those summer months and being able to practice together, the cohesive nature of Villanova basketball might be harder to spot. Wright notes that the coaching staff utilized Zoom and FaceTime throughout the summer in preparation for the season. “You have to try to anticipate what it’s gonna be, but you have to realize that you could be wrong,” Wright said. Collegiate coaches of all sports are trying to guess what might happen, no one knows. Collegiate football kicked off in early September with their season.
They hit a few bumps but are now continuing into the middle weeks of the season without any real blow-ups. “How they handle everything is going to impact what is going to happen in our season,” Wright said. Watching the sidelines and behind the scenes of college football will be crucial to the execution of other collegiate sports in the era of COVID-19. Even though coaches around the nation are looking to make schedules and plans everything could change rather quickly. Therefore, adaptability is the word for the season. This also applies to lineups and different player combinations. “I think we will be able to play guys like Jeremiah [Robinson-Earl], Caleb [Daniels], [Brandon] Slater, at different positions,” Wright said. “It is very possible in this season more than any that you could have unique lineups available to play on different nights.” The versatility of the team might be one of the more positive aspects of the delays in the season. Daniels, a transfer from Tulane University, sat out last season due to transfer regulations. He has had ample time to familiarize himself with Villanova and Jay Wright basketball. “He’s gonna be really important for us because he can play on the ball and off the ball,”
“If this would’ve been the year before with all the new guys coming in, I might have been out of my mind. What settled me was that we did have veterans.”
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Wright said. “He is playing this year a little bit more like a veteran than a guy that is going to play for his first year.” Daniels already has collegiate basketball experience, and on Nov 25., his ability to make plays will be tested. It will be his debut as a Villanovan, and he has the ability to help progress the program even further than it did last year, especially with the loss of Saddiq Bey. Bey opted out of the 2020-21 season in hopes of being drafted into the NBA. As of early Novemebt, the Draft has still not happened, but Wright isn’t concerned. He still has faith in him and is confident that Bey will make his mark in the NBA. “I think he is going to get so much better,” Wright said. “He will outwork everybody, he’s got so much to develop as a perimeter player and I think he’s got a huge upside.” Whispers about Bey being drafted to teams like the Golden State Warriors have been floating around where Bey could join fellow Villanova basketball alum, Eric Paschall. Wright mentioned that Bey and Paschall are better suited to NBA play because of their versatility to defend any position. Coming off of the prema-
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ture closing date of last season, the team feels that they have something to prove. At the end of last year, the Wildcats were playing extremely well and were unable to prove that they could progress into post-season play, as a result of COVID-19 related cancellations. Wright noted that he feels the team is a little behind in their typical season. This time last year the team would have had scrimmages with various teams, getting an opportunity to work out in-game issues. However, this year, the team started practicing as a full team in October, which is bound to cause a lag in in-game cohesion. As of early November, collegiate basketball teams are looking to have roughly 25 games in their seasons. These games will start Nov. 25 and progress into the winter months, while Villanova and other college students are off-campus. The games would continue into January and February, hopefully with the ability to make it into March for post-season play. Wright said that the odds of being able to play those 25 games without any hiccups are “50/50.” This might be the one instance where the Villanova community hopes that Jay Wright is wrong.
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Denise
By Meghann Morhardt
Dillon:
Courtesy of DELCO Today
After 42 years of coaching Villanova, Coach Harry Perreta decided to retire after the 2019-20 season, forcing the team to find his replacement. In late March, after the season was cut short due to COVID-19, Villanova Athletics announced that it had hired Denise Dillon as the next head coach. Dillon has big shoes to fill, but she is certainly up for the challenge. Her resume is one to be admired. A Class of 1996 graduate, Dillon played for Perretta during her four years at the University. Perretta hired her after she graduated, and she was an assistant coach in the program from 1997-2001. Dillon then left Villanova to join the staff of the Drexel women’s team. She was the interim head coach for the 2003-04 season and was named the head coach the
following year. She was the head coach at Drexel until this year and has had notable success along the way. Dillon is the winningest coach in Drexel women’s basketball history and was named CAA Coach of the Year in 2005, 2009 and 2018. She led the Dragons to a top-3 seed in the CAA in 10 out of her 17 seasons, with six conference tournament final appearances, and one championship. The Dragons also had one NCAA tournament bid and one WNIT championship. Not only is Dillon a tremendous coach, but she was also an impressive player in her time as a Wildcat, with 1,355 points and 677 rebounds in her career. She was a three-time All-Big 5 selection and an All-BIG EAST honoree, and she is a member of the Big 5 Hall of
Fame, the Villanova Varsity Club Hall of Fame and the Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame. In a usual offseason, the team would have been doing workouts all spring, summer, and fall, but given COVID-19 restrictions, it was not able to reconvene on campus until August when the entire student body moved in. This was especially challenging for Dillon and the players because they not only lost time for workouts, but they also had to be creative with building the relationships off the court. Dillon said that this initial introductory period “felt like going through the recruiting process in a way, getting to know the girls and reaching out for those one-on-one conversations.” She was familiar with the returning players after following their careers and the team over the past few seasons but not as familiar with the freshmen, given that they were recruited by Perretta before Dillon was hired. Dillon said that team Zooms were another great way to connect as a team. “You could see they were anxious but at the same time excited about what we had planned for their futures and the future of the program,” Dillon said. The past few months brought many obstacles, but Dillon said that the “greatest challenge has been lost time. It’s a great reminder that you’ll never get back yesterday.” She emphasized the challenge of working around the restrictions and adjusting the preseason plan knowing that the team would not come
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Back on the Main Line in as prepared as they usually would so the coaching staff was “trying to accelerate the process without causing any harm physically, pushing it too quickly and also mentally.” The mental challenges that everyone has faced during this pandemic have been extremely challenging and coming back to campus added more stress to that. “It’s a lot,” she said. “Everyone wanted to be back on campus, back to some sense of normalcy, but at the same time, once we all got back, everything was thrown at you. It wasn’t the same.” The team will need strong leadership to get through these new obstacles and push through the tough season ahead. After losing three great players and leaders last season, the team will look to returning players to fill those roles. “It will be by committee to fill the shoes of those three,” Dillon said. Dillon mentioned the team’s three seniors and said, “You’re always relying on your seniors to
really lead the way.” Brianna Herlihy will be a big piece of the team’s success this season. Dillon says that Herlihy “is doing great things on the floor after missing last season, and she’s ready to go.” Dillon also mentioned redshirt sophomore Maddy Siegrist, reigning Big East Rookie of the Year, will continue to perform well for the ‘Cats this season. The official preseason began on Oct. 14, when the team was finally able to get back together for on-court play rather than solely practicing in small pods. “It’s really been great,” Dillon said. “it just raises the level of enthusiasm and the commitment to what we’re looking to accomplish.” Dillon seemed very enthusiastic about what was to come for the Wildcats and what her future will look like here at Villanova. She says that she is most looking forward to “being a part of these young women’s lives everyday and just watching them develop and grow both on and off the court.”
Courtesy of CAAWomensHoops.com
Dillon has a unique perspective as a coach given that she played at the University and went through similar experiences and challenges to her players, which will certainly help build those connections and relationships. Off the court, relationships are extremely important to Dillon and her staff. Dillon says she learned this from her time with Perretta. Dillon said Perretta always “took care of us as young women and held us to be successful young adults. It was something I took with me as a player and wanted to carry on as a coach.” With a new head coach, often comes new assistant coaches. Dillon decided to keep on two members of Perretta’s staff, Joe Mulaney and Mimi Riley, as she feels that they fit well into what she wants to create moving forward in the program. Dillon brought two new coaches with her, Michelle Baker and Mary Wooley. Baker was previously at Drexel, and Dillon knew that she needed her on the staff at Villanova. Dillon says that Baker “raises the energy level everyday and brings the best out in everyone around her. She makes me better, a better coach and a better person.” Wooley left University of South Carolina to join Dillon’s staff. “For years, I always said if there was an opening she would be the first call I make,” Dillon said. “The impact that Wooley will have both on the court and behind the scenes will tremendously improve the success of the team.”
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Soap Operas, Ponies & A Final Farewell Winning Basketball: to Coach Harry Perretta
By Greg Welsh It’s early on a Sunday morning in February, and Harry Perretta is uneasy. Some game day jitters are not unusual for the 64-year-old, who, on his own accord, will admit to having nervous tendencies. Yet, on this day, the nerves are more intense. One can hardly blame Perretta for the extra anxiety he is experiencing. After all, the magnitude of today’s contest surpasses that of almost any other during his 42 years as the head coach of Villanova women’s basketball. Today, for the final time, Perretta will traverse the sidelines in front of the Wildcat faithful. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. The clock reads nine at present, meaning most coaches would be with their team by now, participating in the pregame meal and overseeing shootaround. Perretta has a different routine, however. It started when Joe Mullaney became an assistant back in 1996. After coming into the program, Mullaney quickly noticed that Perretta’s uneasiness before games was rubbing off on the team. He suggested to the head coach that he turn his pregame duties over, a proposal which Perretta was quick to adapt. The pair stuck with it for the next 24 years. “The only two times he came to a shoot around,” Mullaney recalls, “we lost by 40.” So Perretta is on his own on this unseasonably warm morning, and he needs something to ease his growing apprehension. A walk seems like an appropriate remedy, but it would be nice to have a friend join him. The coach has plenty of possible companions to choose from, yet, given the moment, there is one that serves best, his neighbor Mary Ann Shields. Shields and Perretta have known each other for 15 years. She is one of the limited number of people that Perretta is close with outside the
Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
world of basketball, and her outsider’s ear is just what Perretta needs to get his mind off things. The two walk for about a half hour through their Drexel Hill, Pa. neighborhood. The houses are familiar to Perretta, who has lived at his current home for the last 20 years along with his wife, Helen, and their two sons, Stephen and Michael. Helen played for her husband during the late 80s and the two were married in 1996. Stephen and Michael, true to their lineage, are both students at Villanova currently. As Perretta had hoped, the conversation with Shields is soothing, and by the time he returns back to his house for a quick shower, he is beginning to feel a bit better. After the shower, it’s off to campus. On most days, Perretta would swing by Wawa now – a maneuver right in line with a man who has lived in Delaware County since he started high school. A breakfast of oatmeal is customary, but on game days this stop is bypassed, for it’s simply impossible to take in food on such a queasy stomach. It’s a 20-minute journey from driveway to Villanova for Perretta. The short drive is nothing compared to some of the much longer trips Perretta has taken during his career. Life on the road is an inescapable part of
coaching – yet it’s an aspect of the job which Perretta would be happy to do without. Flying is particularly repulsive, a sickening endeavor only to be taken on out of complete necessity. Buses are better, yet still problematic in stop-and-go traffic. Yes, if there was a way to reach his destination using his own car, Perretta would find it. He took road trips to Chicago, Tennessee, Florida – all while driving alone. He would leave a day or two in front of his team and find somewhere logical to stop along the way, sometimes to see some old friends, other times to recruit a high school player. The countless hours at the wheel were passed with audiobooks from Cracker Barrel – a little known secret which Perretta lets me in on. “I don’t think people know this,” Perretta says, his voice revealing the pride he holds in this peculiar piece of knowledge. “You can go to a Cracker Barrel in Pennsylvania, and you can rent a book on tape and drive to say, Florida, and you can return the book to a Cracker Barrel [there].” Perretta parks and exits his Ford Flex, setting foot on grounds that are both exceedingly familiar yet starkly different from the school where he commenced his work more
than four decades ago. “When I got here, no West Campus, no Connolly Center, no nursing school, no Davis Center, no Commons, no South Campus,” he remembers. The year is 1978, and Perretta has just graduated from Lycoming College, a small liberal arts school in Williamsport, Pa. Like many recent college graduates, Perretta is in need of a job. He wants to coach, that’s what he had been doing for the last three years at Lycoming after an ankle injury put an end to his own playing career. When Perretta was a sophomore, Dutch Burch, the program’s head coach at the time, offered him a position as an assistant for the JV team. Eventually, when the JV coach left the following year, Perretta was handed the reins to the junior varsity squad while also assisting Burch with the varsity. It was an experience Perretta excelled at, and one that now, as a 22-year old, has him scouring for any opening in the field. He tosses in an application to be the women’s basketball coach at Villanova. The program is just nine years into its existence, and the position is listed as part-time. Perretta is one of 65 applicants for the role and, given his youth, is initially eliminated from consideration. His luck quickly turns, however, when he discovers a chance connection – the position’s hiring manager, Mary Anne Dowling, is married to one of Burch’s former players at Lycoming. This linkage, along with a strong letter of recommendation from Burch, is all that’s required for Dowling to give Perretta his chance. Suddenly, just a month after his college graduation, Perretta finds himself the head coach of Villanova women’s basketball team. It’s 11 a.m. and game time is rapidly approaching. The Davis Center is where Perretta heads now. The building houses facilities and office space for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs at Villanova. On the first floor, at the end of a long hallway, lined with pictures and trophies from the program’s past, sits Perretta’s office. It’s an expansive
room, much larger than the cramped setup of the old Jake Nevin Fieldhouse where the program was based until 2007. During an average week, you might find Perretta sitting behind his desk, recounting some of his many stories with a couple of players who stopped by. There might be old basketball friends there too. Many of them like to come to practice to catch up with the coach, as do his former players, who often bring their families and children along with them. There are likely more team members down the hall, doing school work in the conference room. Perretta will stop by and check on them. While it may be the biggest cliché in college athletics, academics really have always been the priority in Perretta’s program, with 99% of his athletes who stayed for four years receiving their degree. Almost everyone stays too. Up until last spring, not a single women’s basketball player had transferred out of the program for 20 years, a remarkable feat, especially in a sport which maintains one of the highest transfer rates nationally. Yes, for Perretta, the Davis Center is as much a place for basketball operations as it is for community. “His relationship with the players is beyond the four years that we’ve all played for him,” Laura Kurz, a student-athlete from 200609 and Perretta’s assistant coach for the last five years, says. “Any time we need help or advice or we’re trying to change careers, [for] a lot of people, Harry’s that first call.”
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There is no questioning Perretta’s willingness to help. Just ask the man he gave $21 to stay at a YMCA, only to, after going back to check on him, see him climbing into a brand new car. Or ask the blind couple for whom Perretta stopped his run to help cross the street before proceeding to lead them straight into a wall. It’s this generous spirit which, although sometimes not rewarded in the outside world, endears him to all who play for him. “Forget basketball,” redshirt freshman Maddy Siegrist says. “You can put down a basketball and never play again, and he’d still care about you.” The decision had been made over the summer, but was not announced publicly until just before the start of the 2019-20 season. Perretta’s final year has been one of celebration, a chance for the man who has given so much to receive a little in return. He’s picked up some notable presents – a piece of the original Palestra floor from Penn, his favorite chicken wings from Drexel, a subscription to the Daily Racing Form along with $300 cash for the racetrack from DePaul. Somehow, this hodgepodge of gifts seems to fit Perretta flawlessly. He’s particularly fond of horse racing and has been since high school when his friend’s parents introduced him to the sport. Perretta subscribes to TVG, a television network dedicated to showing races from across the globe, and he enjoys placing bets recreationally – though never beyond the budget he
Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
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allots himself in advance. The coach also appreciates television. He was an avid viewer of “All My Children,” a soap opera which ended in 2011, ironically, after 42 seasons on air – the same number of seasons Perretta has coached the Wildcats. Now, he relies on “Law and Order” and the History Channel to get his fill. On a Tuesday morning, I am seated in a folding chair inside the sacred Davis Center walls along the sideline of the team’s practice court. I’ve come to see what Perretta says he will miss the most upon his retirement. Despite his competitive success – 783 total wins, twenty, 20-win seasons, 11 NCAA Tournament births, 11 WNIT appearances, five Big East championships and 18 Philadelphia Big 5 titles – practice always provided Perretta the most fulfillment, allowing him to teach and interact more with his players. Once this season, he even suited up for a practice himself, determined to show his team he still had it. “It wasn’t pretty, I’m not going to lie to you,” senior Mary Gedaka laughs. “I mean he worked hard, don’t get me wrong, but he was a little slow-stepped.” Stretching and warmups are first. After 15 minutes or so, the coach enters. He is wearing a white Villanova women’s basketball t-shirt with baggy navy blue basketball shorts extending below his knee – the kind first popularized by Michigan men’s basketball’s “Fab Five” back in the 90s, but which have seemingly been out of style for the past ten years. His hair, plentiful during his
Courtesy of Philadelphia Inquirer
early coaching years, now appears in gray, wispy strands and covers only the sides and back of his head. I’ve heard stories of the old Perretta practices. The ones brimming with intensity, the ones filled with screaming demands, the ones where, by the session’s conclusion, the coach felt as if he had “actually ran up and down for two hours.” This, however, was not the aura of the practice I watched that morning. It hadn’t been for the last five years or so, Mullaney tells me. Perretta mostly observes, allowing his assistants to dictate the various drills. His left leg drags as he paces the court’s perimeter, perhaps a result of yesterday’s outdoor run. (Perretta never goes a day without 50 minutes of exercise. He used to run outside more often, but as he’s aged, his routine has shifted to ellipticals and bikes). A basketball is pressed tightly against his hip in what is a perfect visual metaphor for the inseparable relationship he has with the sport. During a break in play, I hear him chatting with one of the team’s practice players about the Philadelphia Catholic League finals, a local high school championship played the night before. At one point he ventures to the far end of the gym, where sophomore Sam Carangi is rehabbing an injury. The two talk for a few minutes before Perretta continues his roam. He interjects periodically to critique a player’s defensive stance or to stress that they take an open shot, but mostly he just watches. Eventually he takes a chair and seats himself beneath one of the baskets. Recently,
Perretta often is unable to stand for the entirety of the two hour practices; his energy and strength simply aren’t what they used to be. It may not be the fiery and frenetic practices of the past, but it is clear I am still observing a special scene, one with a man still very much in love with basketball and with his program. The Blue Demons enter the contest ranked 12th in the nation with a record of 25-3, including a 15-1 mark in the Big East. The ‘Cats, meanwhile, sit at 15-11 overall and 9-6 in conference play. Luckily for Villanova, Perretta has pulled off some upsets in his day. When you coach for 42 years, you’re going to have some pretty big wins and for Perretta, perhaps none was larger than the 2003 Big East Tournament Championship. There, his team put an end to UConn’s 70 game winning streak – the longest ever in Division I women’s basketball at the time – with an earth-shattering, 52-48, victory. That same team would go on to reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, Perretta’s deepest run ever in the event. It was following this performance on the national stage that Power Five schools began to express interest in hiring Perretta. It wasn’t a decision he took lightly; after all, he had the opportunity to more than triple his salary. He opted to consult Father Dobbin, Villanova’s President at the time and a man Perretta considered a close friend. “I told him the offer, and I said what do you think?” Perretta recounts. “He said, ‘Har, I think you should get up, go back to your office and get back to work. You’re not going anywhere.’ I got up and I said, Father, I’ll see you tomorrow.” So Perretta came back that next day, and he is still coming back now, nearly 20 years later. This year’s ‘Cats may not have the same talent as that historic 2003 squad, yet, after losing four of their top five scorers from a year ago, the team’s winning record is an accomplishment in itself. Today, it is looking for a signature win to boost its rank in the crowded Big East standings.
More than 2000 fans bustle in anticipation as the teams take the floor. Play begins, and Cameron Onken, one of three Wildcats celebrating senior day this afternoon, opens the scoring with a triple. It’s an open look and a good sign for Perretta’s offense, which has never been shy when it comes to pulling the trigger from deep. Many in the basketball circle know Perretta for his famous, “five-out” offense – a motion scheme centered around the idea of having all five players on the floor outside of the three-point line. The reality, however, is that Perretta has had a number of innovative offensive styles over the course of his career. He started with the “spread,” the strategy which he first made up in college at Lycoming. It generated good spacing, but a coach must always adapt to his players, so when the three-pointer began to become a bigger part of the game, and more sharp-shooters started coming into the program, Perretta made the switch to the “five-out” to help facilitate more looks from beyond the arc. The concept was utilized for years, and to great success, but Perretta was always one to make adjustments, even if it meant committing one of coaching’s cardinal sins – revealing his hand. “I would pick other coaches’ brains,” he explained. “I would show them what we’re doing and then I would ask [the other coaches] if they had anything they thought I should add or subtract.” For the final three to four years of his career, Perretta settled on an “option” offense – an approach where one side of the floor was overloaded in order to make it difficult for defenses to bring weak side help on drives to the basket. An “X and O” coach who has dedicated his entire life to the game of basketball, Perretta says he got the idea from the unbalanced line in football. Whatever the offensive game plan happened to be, it certainly would not lack sophistication. The complexity of the offensive system is part of the reason it became a pattern in the program for freshmen to
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Courtesy of Philadelphia Inquirer
redshirt their first season on campus. A year of learning was often beneficial before players were thrown into game action, where they would be subjected to one of Perretta’s trademarked sideline tirades should they make a mistake on the floor. Sparked by Onken’s opening triple, the ‘Cats would go on to hit three of their four attempts for deep in the first quarter. After the opening 10 minutes, Villanova holds a 20-19 lead, an advantage which it would expand to 33-30 by halftime. Belief is building. This is the game the team had thought about all year, the fairytale send-off. It is the type of game that’s played at the end of a Hollywood sports film, and the Wildcats had 20 minutes to ensure the script proceeded as they desired. If anyone thought the first half was the best basketball Villanova had played all season, their opinion would quickly be swayed after watching the next two quarters. Perretta’s option offense continued to flow, with the Wildcats connecting on 17 of their 32 second half shots. Perhaps most impressive, however, was the invigorated defense on display. The ‘Cats were simply unwilling to give up an easy shot, resulting in a lowly 27.8% field goal percentage for the Blue Demons over the final 20 minutes of play. A 10-point lead after three quarters looked promising, and when the margin was stretched to 17 halfway through the final frame, the celebration began to diffuse through-
out the arena. The public address announcer told the crowd that Onken had just recorded a triple-double, only the second ever in the program’s history. In the end it was Siegrist leading the way for the ‘Cats with 29 points, breaking the freshman season scoring record in the process. When the final horn sounds, the team engulfs their coach in a circle of chaos by the bench. The celebration soon moves to center court, where Perretta and his team gather with the more than 50 former players. The activity is so hectic, Perretta will end up watching a recording several days later to better digest the occasion. Gedaka is joined on the court by her mother, Lisa Angelotti, who was named the 1986-87 Big East Player of the Year while playing for the Wildcats. The pair is one of three mother-daughter combinations to be coached by Perretta. Sure, the age range of those on the court is wide, but as Perretta’s assistant of 21 years Shanette Lee says, “Everybody that’s come through this program has been instilled the same values. We can come back and interact with each other so freely.” This freedom of interaction is clearly on display as multiple generations join together to honor one man’s legacy. As a video tribute plays on the scoreboard, the group unites with the crowd in a chant that consists of just one word but somehow says so much more. “Harry! Harry! Harry!”
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MEET THE
MEN CHRIS
BRYAN
DHAMIR
CALEB
ARCIDIACONO
ANTOINE
COSBYROUNDTREE
DANIELS
SOPHOMORE Langhorne, PA Perkiomen School 6’5 Guard
SOPHOMORE Tinton Falls, NJ Ranney School 6’5 Guard
SENIOR Philadelphia, PA Newmann-Goretti 6’9 Forward
REDSHIRT JUNIOR New Orleans, LA Tulane 6’4 Guard
Younger brother of Villanova legend Ryan Arcidiacono, ChrisArcidiacono will continue to bring energy and depth off the bench, as he enters his sophomore season. He is a steady longrange shooter and appeared in eight regular season games for the Wildcats in the 2019-20 season.
Antoine appeared in 16 regular season games, totaling 87 minutes, for the Wildcats during the 2019-20 season after recovering from a major soldier surgery in May 2019. This season, Slater is expected to take on a much larger role and become a huge impact player right away.
Last season, Cosby-Roundtree appeared in 29 regular season games, averaging 2.2 RPG and 7.7 minutes per game. He will continue to bring his leadership and size off the bench as an interior defender and athletic forward with good hands and skill around the basket.
Due of NCAA regulations, Daniels sat out last season after transferring from Tulane. He will now be put into a role player position and should be productive on the court for the Wildcats, having averaged nearly 17 PPG for the Green Wave and being voted All-LSWA Second Team.
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ERIC
COLLIN
KEVIN
JUSTIN
DIXON
GILLESPIE
HOEHN
MOORE
REDSHIRT FRESHMAN Willow Grove, PA Abington 6’8 Forward
SENIOR Huntindon Valley, PA Archbishop Wood 6’3 Guard
SENIOR Morristown, NJ Morristown 6’0 Guard
SOPHOMORE Fort Washington, MD DeMatha 6’4 Guard
After redshirting his first season at Villanova, Dixon looks to make an impact immediately for the team, especially after the loss of Saddiq Bey to the NBA Draft. Dixon will likely serve as a sixth man this season, offering a unique combination of strength and skill to the roster.
Gillespie was named Second Team All-Big East and tabbed First Team All-Philadelphia Big Five for the 2019-20 season. In his final season, Gillespie will be a primary focal point of this offense once again, continuing to lead the ’Cats as a steady shooter and rebounder from the guard position.
First cousin of teammate Chris Arcidiacono, Hoehn was promoted to the active roster midway through the 2018-19 season. Entering his senior year, he is a savvy guard with an understanding of the Wildcats’ system and values. Hoehn appeared in two regular season games during the 2019-20 season.
After breaking on to the scene last year, Moore was a unanimous selection to the Big East All-Freshman Team, leading all Big East freshmen in scoring (11.3 PPG) during the regular season. Moore will look to keep up his starting role and continue to gain momentum with the ’Cats.
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JEREMIAH
JERMAINE
ROBINSONEARL
SAMUELS
SOPHOMORE Largo, MD IMG 6’9 Forward
Robinson-Earl was chosen as Big East Freshman of the Year and was a unanimous selection to the Big East All-Freshman Team for the 2019-20 season. He will be put into a larger role this season and become a true leader for the Wildcats.
BRANDON
COLE
KEVIN
SLATER
SWIDER
VOIGT
SENIOR Franklin, MA Rivers 6’7 Forward
JUNIOR Centerville, VA Paul VI 6’6 Forward
JUNIOR Portsmouth, RI St. Andrew’s 6’9 Forward
JUNIOR Massapequa, NY Massapequa 6’5 Guard
Samuels will continue with his starting role this season and will be a focal point on both sides of the court. Last season, Samuels averaged 10.7 PPG and 5.5 RPG. He has developed a knack for sinking clutch baskets as a talented wing player with athleticism and quickness.
Slater appeared in all 31 regular season games for the Wildcats last season, averaging 11.5 minutes per game. He will continue to bring strength and energy this season, still adapting to the college game but having a strong willingness to work and learn.
After taking on a big role last season, Swider averaged 18.5 minutes per game in a crucial sixth-man role for the Wildcats. He brings talent and versatility to the team, offering a dependable range beyond the 3-point arc andworking well near the basket.
In high school, Voight was a 2018 Nassau County AA-1 All-County selection as a senior. He joins the ’Cats after serving as a pracice player for the 2019-20 season. He brings depth, committment to the system and energy to the Wildcats for the season ahead.
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MEET THE
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WOMEN SAM
KENZIE
LIOR
BRIANNA
RAVEN
CARANGI
GARDLER
GARZON
HERLIHY
JAMES
JUNIOR Lansdale, PA North Penn 5’9 Guard
SOPHOMORE Broomall, PA Cardinal O’Hare 5’4 Guard
FRESHMAN Raanana, Israel HoF HaSharon 6’1 Forward
SENIOR Braintree, MA Braintree 6’0 Forward
SENIOR Upper Marlboro, MD Paul VI 5’6 Guard
Carangi was only able to play in 16 games due to injury with three starts in the 2019-20 season. She shot .429 from the field and .500 from beyond the arch. She will be a solid role player in her return and will provide a great shooting percentage off the bench.
Gardler was able to play in 29 games last season, averaging 10 minutes per game. She should continue to be a stellar role player this year. Gardler possesses good instincts on the court, plays with intensity and has a range that extends to the threepoint line.
A top international recruit from Raanana, Israel, Garzon will attempt to find a role in year one as a forward. She has received various academic awards during her time in high school. Garzon also participated in the 2018 European Championship Division B.
Herlihy suffered a season ending injury after only playing in two games last year. In the 2018-19 season, she had 20 assists, 12 blocks and six steals. Entering her final year, she is one of the team’s top rebounders and is expected to be in the Wildcat frontcourt rotation.
James started in all 31 games last year and led the team in assists with 109 and 27 steals. She had a career-high 20 points in a Big East Tournament game against Xavier to give the ‘Cats their first round victory. James has excellent court vision and defensive skills.
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TALIYAH
SARAH
BROOKE
NOGA
MEDINA
MORTENSEN
MULLIN
PELEG PELIC
FRESHMAN Bethlehem, PA Bethlehem Catholic 6’0 Guard
SENIOR Copenhagen, Denmark Long Island Lutheran 6’1 Guard/Forward
SOPHOMORE Langhorne, PA Neshaminy 5’11 Guard
SOPHOMORE Even Yehuda, Israel Hof HaSharon 5’7 Guard
After winning Pennsylvania state player of the year in her senior year, Medina will attempt to make a strong impact at the collegiate level. She is a two-time state champion, four-time Eastern Pennsylvania conference champion and a 1000 point scorer.
Mortensen transferred from Miami University last year. She played in all 34 games at Miami last season and made 40.3 percent of her three-point shots. She is a great three point shooter, who should have a huge role after sitting out for the 2019-20 season.
Mullin competed in all 31 games last season with 23 assists, 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest. With great instincts and range, she averaged 15 minutes per game, shot 27.9 percent from the field and 29.9 percent from the three-point line.
Peleg Pelc played her past two years at Rutgers and will provide great energy for her the Wildcats this season. At Rutgers, she averaged 5.2 points per game and shot .385 from the field in her freshman season. Peleg Pelc played for Israel’s U16, U18 and U20 national teams.
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RUNYAN
MADDY SIEGRIST
KYLIE SWIDER
BRIE WAJER
FRESHMAN Morrestown, NJ Morrestown Friends 5’11 Guard
SOPHOMORE Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Our Lady of Lourdes 6’1 Forward
FRESHMAN Portsmouth, RI Tabor Academy 6’4 Forward/Center
JUNIOR Newcastle Maine Lincoln Academy 5’7 Guard
Runyan is starting her career at Villanova after being a top athlete in three sports in high school and will bring her athletic ability to the University in her first year. She was a threetime Female Athlete of the Year at her high school and 1,000 point scorer.
Siegrist is coming off one of the most dominant freshman campaigns in the country. She led the team in points, rebounds and set Villanova freshmen records in season points, number of 20-point games and points per game. She was a unanimous Big East Rookie of the Year.
At Tabor, Swider averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds per contest during her senior season. Accolades include Adidas All-American and New England NEPSAC AA basketball first team. Her brother Cole is on the men’s basketball team at Villanova.
Last year was Wajer’s first at the University after transferring, and she will continue to add depth to the ’Cats this season. Wajer played in 16 games last season, tallied 11 points and two assists, going five for six from the foul line. Shep provides great energy to the team.
BELLA
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Bella Runyan
Lior Garzon
Runyan comes from Moorestown, New Jersey, which is just under an hour away from Villanova. Coming from an athletic family Her brother and father both played football at Michigan, and her father went on to play 14 seasons in the NFL. Runyan is successful in her own right. She earned 12 varsity letters and was Female Athlete of the Year for three of her high school years. Runyan was a well-rounded athlete who captained her high school’s soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams. She was the 2020 South Jersey Player of the Year and Burlington County Player of the Year. She is the second-leading scorer in all of her school’s history and all-time leader in assists and steals.
Garzon was born in Raanana, Israel and is the second Israeli on the women’s basketball team. She joins sophomore Noga Peleg Pelc, from Even Yehuda, Israel. Garzon is an accomplished individual, who has excelled both academically and athletically. In 2016 and 2017, she was a National Communications Award honoree, receiving the Integration and Pedagogy Award and reaching the final stage of the National Education Award. The 6’1 forward has also played in two European Division B championships. In 2017, Garzon played for the U16 team and led the team in points, averaging 15.7 PPG. The following year, she played for the U18 team, where she increased her average points per game to 16.5.
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Kylie Swider
Standing at a staggering 6’4, the next freshman is Kylie Swider. Swider calls Portsmouth, Rhode Island home. One of four children, Swider also comes from an athletic family. Her brother, Cole, is a junior on the Villanova men’s basketball team. Her mother and father played basketball for the University of New Hampshire and Fordham University, respectively. Her grandmother was also a basketball player who played for the University of Rhode Island. Swider was a member of the New England NEPSAC AA basketball first team and she was an Adidas all-American. Swider averaged 17 PPG and 12 rebounds per contest during her senior year of high school.
Taliyah Medina
Medina was coached by her father at Bethlehem Catholic School in Bethlehem, Penn. She was the 2020 4A Pennsylvania State Player of the Year. As a freshman, she earned the third team all-state distinction. As a sophomore and a senior, Medina achieved first-team all-state honors. She was a member of the two-time state championship team, a member of the four-time Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship team and the four-time District 11 championship team. Medina has been an integral part of many successful teams, however she also has impeccable individual athletic and academic achievements. Medina was a 1000 point scorer in high school and will be joining the team as a 6’0” guard.
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BIG EAST
PREVIEW WOMEN’S BUTLER After advancing to the Sweet Sixteen of the WNIT during a 23-win season in 2018-19, the Bulldogs entered the 2019-20 season with high expectations. The team, while not matching its success from the year before, was able to finish with an overall record of 19-11, going 11-7 in conference play, allowing them to enter the Big East tournament in fifth place. The team lost three seniors, including leading scorer, Kristen Spolyar, who averaged 18 ppg. Losing this scoring will certainly be an adjustment for the Bulldogs, but scoring and minutes per game is evenly distributed among returning players. This season, the team will rely heavily on redshirt freshman Tenley Dowel, sophomore Oumou Toure and redshirt senior Genesis Parker. Dowel played in one game last season before suffering a season-ending injury. In that game, she scored 12 points, secured 8 rebounds and went 7-7 from the free-throw line. Dowel shows potential and will be a key asset to the Bulldogs this year. Both Parker and Toure averaged 30 and 27 minutes per game respectively and averaged 9 ppg. The Bulldogs have all the right pieces and will look to come back strong this year to make another push in both the conference tournament and at the national level.
CREIGHTON Last season, Creighton finished sixth in the standings of the Big East, going 19-11 overall and 11-7 in Big East play. The team has lost two of its four biggest contributors from last season in graduating seniors Jaylyn Agnew and Olivia Elger. Elger was an important leader for the team, averaging 10.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 2.4 APG. Agnew was Creighton’s star player, with 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 3.3 APG; she is now in the WNBA with the Atlanta Dream. This season, Creighton will be relying more upon returning senior guard Tatum Rembao, who averaged 10.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 3.3 APG. Additionally, returning senior guard Temi Carda will help in forming a dynamic duo with Rembao, as she averaged 13.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 2.8 APG last season. Head coach Jim Flanery, who is Creighton’s all-time wins leader, enters his 18th season at the helm, looking to get the team back to the NCAA tournament. This appears to be a team with a wide range of outcomes, but they do have the talent to finish fairly high in the standings in the Big East.
DEPAUL
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The Blue Demons are coming off an excellent season and a first place finish in the Big East Conference. Last season, DePaul finished an astounding 28-5, and a conference leading 15-3 against Big East competition. Prior to the cancellation of March Madness due to the Covid pandemic, DePaul was a top 25 team in the nation, clocking in at 15 in the final AP rankings. Unfortunately, this excellent may be difficult to repeat for next season. DePaul’s leading scorer from the previous season, Chante Stonewall, will not be returning to the Blue Demons as she attempts to be picked up as a free agent in the WNBA. Stonewall’s departure is a massive blow for the program, as she averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds and played all 33 games throughout the season. Fortunately, the Blue Demons do return their pair of elite, 5-10 guards in Sonya Morris and Lexi Held. Morris, from St. Louis, Mo., averaged 16 points last season, and Held, from Burlington, Ky., averaged 15 points. Both juniors will play pivotal roles in Depaul’s backcourt in this upcoming season. While it will be difficult to replicate the resounding success of last season in an intense conference with the loss of their best player, all signs still point to a potential Big East Championship for the Blue Demons in 2021.
GEORGETOWN After a successful season in 2018-19, winning 19 games and advancing to the Big East semifinals, the Hoyas struggled to compete with tough teams in the 2019-20 season. They won just two games in conference play and finished with an overall record of 5-25. The Hoyas lost four players at the end of last season, including the team’s three leading scorers. Since then, they have welcomed four freshmen and a graduate transfer to the program. Teaghan Flaherty, a freshman from Rye, N.Y., will likely have an immediate impact for the Hoyas. Flaherty was a four-year starter at her high school, 1,000 point scorer, a McDonald’s All American Nominee and a finalist for the New York State Gatorade Player of the Year. Another key player for the Hoyas will be Taylor Baur, a graduate transfer from Princeton. Baur competed in two NCAA tournaments and made a run at a WNIT title with Princeton. Returning graduate student Anita Kelava will also play a crucial role this season. Last season, Kelava averaged 6.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, as well as recorded 53 blocks and 52 assists. Kelava is a strong defender and play-maker that Coach Howard will look to this year. They certainly have all the right pieces and have made the necessary adjustments in this off-season, but it will all come down to the ability to execute.
MARQUETTE The Marquette Golden Eagles had a strong finish to last season as they held a 24-8 record to finish 2nd in the Big East behind DePaul. They will have their leading scorer Selena Lott, who put up 15.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest, returning for her senior season under head coach Megan Duffy. They will also be having their leading rebounder Lauren Van Kleunen – she had 7 a game and 174 on the year – coming back for year four. They will be losing a key backbone piece in 6’2” Forward Alita Anderson, who had 7.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game for the year. Marquette is consistently in the top of the conversation in Big East Women’s basketball, and it never really appeared that anything was going to stop them; the same goes for DePaul. However, with the addition of powerhouse UConn, it will be hard to imagine a situation where the Golden Eagles will be as dominant as they usually are.
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PROVIDENCE
The Providence Women’s Basketball team finished 12-19 last year, starting the season with eight wins in their first nine games, before sputtering to a 3-15 record in Big East play. Their first matchup with Villanova came down to the wire, as the Wildcats held a fifteen point lead with nine minutes to go but only won 51-49. The second matchup between the two teams was the reverse of the first, as Providence jumped out to the lead but Villanova pulled away at the end to win 74-63. The Friars will look completely different during the 2020-2021 season, adding two freshmen, but graduating a senior and seeing five players transfer out of the program. However, the unquestioned star of the team remains. Junior forward Mary Baskerville led the team in scoring and rebounding, as well as leading the Big East in blocked shots per game with 1.82, and big things will be needed from her for any success this season. Fellow junior Alyssa Neary finished fourth in the conference in blocked shots with 1.5 per game, averaging 7 points per game. Junior Kyra Spiwak also returns, finishing second on the team in minutes per game and third in points per game last season. The Friars will struggle with depth, with just ten players on the roster. Despite the low bar set by the program in 2019-2020, the team will likely struggle to even replicate that limited success in this coming year.
SETON HALL The Seton Hall Pirates women’s team finished 3rd in the Big East last year with a record of 1912. This year, head coach Anthony Bozzella will be without his leading senior scorer Shadeen Samuels, who averaged 14.3 points to go with 7.7 rebounds per contest. Her sheer presence at the forward position will be missed, and some adjustments will have to be made. Thankfully, they will have multiple important players returning for the year, including Desiree Elmore, who was third in scoring 13.0 per game, and Selena Philoxy, who was second on the roster last year in rebounds per game at 6.9 behind the absent Samuels. The Pirates will be adding three 3 Star recruits to their program: guards MeKenna Minter and Britany Range, and wing threat Skylar Treadwell. Treadwell will be especially interesting to watch, as she is ranked 10th in the nation at her respective position.
ST. JOHN’S Joe Tartamella is entering his 8th year at the helm of this team, just led his team to a 10-12 record and third in the Big East. The Red Storm is poised to go for the top of the Big East after keeping their core players, including Qdashah Hoppie who was on the Big East Second Team and was absolutely dominant. She averaged 15.4 points per game last year, and surpassed the 1,000 point mark last year. She was All-Met first team selection and was an eight time Weekly Honor Roll selection. Leilani Correa is the other big name on their roster. Correa was the league sixth man of the year last year. She was a unanimous Big East All-Freshman team nominee. She made it on the All-Tournament Team. She was ranked as one of the top 10 freshman in college basketball last year. She averaged 12.8 points last year and was extremely good at the end of the season. The Red Storm have many additions to the roster this year. With transfers Rayven Peeples and Fapou Semebene. They have two freshman coming in too with Sara Zabrecky and Danaijah Williams. With all these new players and a bunch of returning talent, plus hopefully some big years from Unique Drake, Cecilia Holmberg, and Emma Nolan. This team is on its way to making the NCAA Tournament again even with UConn rejoining the Big East. They will be a top seed in the Big East Tournament come March.
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UCONN The winningest program in NCAA women’s basketball history finally gets a challenge. Through the seven seasons UConn played in the American Athletic Conference, the Huskies went undefeated at a staggering 139-0. For both the men’s and women’s programs, UConn’s move to the Big East brings a much tougher conference schedule, but also significantly easier travel distances. Within the conference, DePaul has become a perennial powerhouse and a regular NCAA participant, while Marquette also proves to be a challenging contender. Both of these should prove to be exciting new rivalries for the Huskies. Their 18 Big East titles, including nine straight from 1994-2002, are the most of any program in the conference’s history. The last few years have been “transition” years for the Huskies, in which they’ve failed to lift the NCAA trophy despite some deep tournament runs. However, the team is primed to reach a turning point this year. The Huskies return a number of important players, including the junior duo of Christyn Williams, who will be expected to shoulder the bulk of scoring this year, and center Olivia Nelson-Ododa, the only veteran big returning to Storrs. The further development of sophomore Aubrey Griffin and the recovery of redshirt junior Evina Westbrook remains a question and could potentially limit their larger impact. However, sophomore point guard Anna Makurat is primed to be one of the nation’s top offensive players and should more than make up any other slack in the depth chart. The main difference in this year’s team is the incoming freshman class. Headlining the new group of Huskies is Paige Bueckers, one of the most well known women’s basketball recruits ever. Bueckers is the only female high school player to ever grace the cover of SLAM Magazine, has won countless National Player of the Year awards and has a huge social media following. She will be joined by Croatian point-guard Nika Muhl, 6-2 wing Aaliyah Edwards, wing Mir McLean and 6-5 Piath Gabriel. The Huskies should be excellent once again this year, but how well these freshmen mesh with each other and the program could very well be what puts UConn over the top.
XAVIER In their first season under head coach Melanie Moore, the Musketeers ended the 2019-20 season with a 3-27 record and an early exit in the first round of the Big East at the hands of seventh-seed Villanova. And although the season came to an abrupt end, all signs pointed to the Musketeers’ season being finished regardless, as there remained no chance that they would have made it into the NCAA Tournament. Looking towards the 2020-21 season, the Musketeers may be subject to a similar fate. Starting 25 of the 26 games in her junior year, forward A’riana Gray led the team in both scoring and rebounds, with 15.8 points alongside 9.3 rebounds a game. Now in her senior year, she looks to continue this production as the team’s premier frontcourt option. Expected to start alongside her is returning senior Aaliyah Dunham, who played and started all of the team’s 30 games in her junior year, averaging 7.5 points and leading the team with 4.5 assists that season. This season, Dunham is expected to maintain her much-needed role as the team’s leading floor general moving forward. Junior guard Lauren Wasylon is also looking to step up and provide support, having averaged 6.8 ppg and 2.7 rebounds last season. The Musketeers also hope for players like transfer Kae Satterfield, now cleared to play for the 2020-21 season, to have an immediate impact. Following their disappointing 3-27 record last season, the only direction the Musketeers can go is up this year.
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BIG EAST
PREVIEW MEN’S BUTLER After missing the NCAA tournament in 2018-19, Butler was highly motivated to enter the 201920 season. It closed the season with an overall record of 22-9, 10-8 in conference play and finished 5th in the Big East. While NCAA March Madness was cancelled due to COVID-19, the Bulldogs were projected to enter the tournament as a 5 or 6 seed. The team was led by seniors Sean McDermott and Kamar Baldwin and will need to adjust this season if it wants to repeat and improve upon the success it had last year. McDermott and Baldwin led the team in points, minutes played and field goal percentage. The Bulldogs also lost junior Jordan Tucker, who declared for the NBA draft after his junior season. The team will look to returning players and five new freshmen to fill these roles. Redshirt Senior Bryce Nze will play a key role for the Bulldogs this season. He averaged 28.7 minutes and 9.2 points per game last season. Nze will play a role both as a scorer but also as a leader for the team. Fellow senior Aaron Thompson will also be an important piece of the Bulldogs’ success this season. Thompson averaged 32.4 minutes and 7.2 points per game and was a semifinalist for the 2020 Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year. The Bulldogs hope to take the momentum they gained last season and carry that into this year, so they can improve in conference play and advance in the NCAA tournament.
CREIGHTON Creighton is seen as a top 5 team this year. The Bluejays were on a tear to close out the season, winning 11 of their final 13 games, finishing last season as the highest-ranked team in the Big East, at No. 7 in the country. Creighton had one projected loss in senior captain Kelvin Jones, but added back guard Davion Mintz, who averaged 9.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 3.0 APG in 2018-19. However, the team suffered two unexpected offseason losses. Mintz transferred to Kentucky in early April. In July, the leading scorer of the team, Ty-Shon Alexander (16.9 PPG), opted to remain in the 2020 NBA Draft. It is a testament to the team that it is expected to remain a consensus pre-season top 15 team in the country and is still widely seen as the No. 2 team in the Big East. Head coach Greg McDermott enters his 11th season at the helm with a starting five that is led by point guard Marcus Zegarowski, who is regarded as one of the top returning players not only in the Big East but in the country. Zegarowski averaged 16.1 PPG last season, leading the team in APG with 5.0. Forward Mitch Ballock (11.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.1 APG) should have a major role as well, along with Denzel Mahoney and Damien Jefferson, who considered the NBA draft but opted out.
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Coming off a last place finish in the Big East Conference during the 2019-20 season, DePaul is looking to improve in their upcoming campaign. Last season, the Blue Demons finished 15-16 in the regular season, going a dismal 2-15 in Big East competition. Fortunately, DePaul returns their leading scorer from the previous season, senior guard Charlie Moore, who averaged 15.5 PPG. Forward Paul Reed, however, who was arguably DePaul’s best player for the last two seasons, has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft and will not be returning to the Blue Demons for the upcomign season. All hope is not lost, however, as three-star recruit Kobe Elvis from Brampton, Ontario joins the Blue Demons this year. A 6’2” guard, Elvis averaged 27 points, six rebounds and five assists per game during his senior year at Bill Crothers Prep High School, leading his team to an Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) championship. Look to Elvis as a key addition for this Blue Demons team this season.
GEORGETOWN When Georgetown hired Patrick Ewing, one of the best to ever wear a Hoya uniform, to be the head coach of the men’s program in 2017, expectations were high for the success that the team could have. After a slow start in the 2017-18 season, the team seemed to adjust and work out the kinks in the 2018-19 season. Last year, however, the Hoyas struggled yet again to compete in Big East play. Georgetown finished with an overall record of 15-17, going 5-13 in conference contests and finished ninth in the conference. The team suffered four mid-season transfers and lost five more players in the offseason - one transfer, three graduates and one NBA Draft declaration. The Hoyas look forward to a fresh start this season, as they return only five scholarship players and two walk-ons, while bringing in five freshmen and three graduate transfers. Returning seniors Jahvon Blair and Jamorko Pickett are ready to lead the Hoyas in this comeback season. Blair averaged 10.8 points and 6.1 assists per game last season, while Pickett averaged 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Another returning player who will be vital for success is sophomore center Qudus Wahab. Wahab averaged 5.5 points per game and recorded 138 rebounds and 30 blocks in his freshman season. Four-star recruit Jamari Sibley could have an instant impact for the Hoyas this season. Sibley is a 6’8 power forward, a position with which the Hoyas struggle, and is a very athletic and versatile player that could help the Hoyas on both ends of the floor.
MARQUETTE The Golden Eagles will go forward without their All Big East First Team guard Markus Howard. The 5’11” marksman led the Big East and NCAA in scoring last year with 27.8 points per game. Head coach Steve Wojciechowski and his staff will have to make do without Howard’s sheer presence, and they have a few ways of accomplishing this. They will have several key guard pieces returning, like Koby McEwen and Greg Elliot, as well as Ohio State transfer D.J. Carton, who averaged 10. 4 points and 3.0 assists for the Buckeyes. The Golden Eagles will also have a multitude of highly recruited big men to use in the paint, including Dawson Garcia, Justin Lewis and Osasere Ighodaro. All three of these rookies were four star recruits, with Garcia being ranked fourth in the nation at the power forward position. Marquette has been very competitive at the top of the Big East conference for years, but now it will have to go into a rebuilding phase.
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PROVIDENCE
The Friars enter the season as one of the hardest teams for experts to predict an outcome, partially due to the highs and lows of last year and due to the roster holes to fill. Providence started last season sluggish, with a record of 4-6 after 10 games, including a 32-point loss to Florida. However, the Friars went on a tear in Big East play and finished with a 12-6 record in conference and a 19-12 overall record. The Friars finished the season on a six game winning streak, with wins over three ranked opponents, including a 58-54 win at the Finn, but the pandemic stopped a red-hot Providence squad from doing damage in the postseason. The 2020-21 season will look significantly different for the Friars. Just three players who averaged over 12 minutes per game will return to the team, as the program saw three seniors and two graduate transfers leave. Junior David Duke was the second leading scorer last season, but with top scorer Alpha Diallo graduating, Duke is poised for a big season, as the first option on offense. Starting center Nate Watson also returns for his senior season, and junior guard AJ Reeves will likely combine with Duke in the backcourt. Transfers Jared Bynum and Noah Horchler will look to make the step up to Big East play after success at lower levels of competition. Beyond that, it’s all unknown for the Friars. Providence does not look like the most talented team the Wildcats will face this year, but under ninth-year coach Ed Cooley, the Friars will always be dangerous. A finish in the upper half of the Big East standings is expected, but the team looks unable to contend for a title.
SETON HALL Big East Player of the Year and projected 2020 NBA first-round pick Myles Powell will not be on the Seton Hall court this year. Averaging 21 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the conference powerhouse, Powell was the focal point of the Pirates’ offense. With his absence, head coach Kevin Willard will have to try and find new ways to score and be productive on the floor. Although they might need to make some adjustments, the Pirates are not empty handed. Senior forward and center Sandro Mamukelashvili and junior dual-guard Jared Rhoden will be returning for the season, both of which have versatile combinations of lights-out shooting and offensive rebounding. The Pirates will also have the addition of University of Missouri sophomore transfer wing player Tray Jackson and Harvard University graduate transfer Bryce Aiken, who averaged 16.7 points for the Crimson. Seton Hall is expected to take a down year this season, as it is unlikely they will be able to reach a top 10 AP ranking this year – last year the Hall reached as high as eighth overall in the ranking.
ST. JOHN’S Head Coach Mike Anderson, who is going into his sophomore season with the Red Storm, will be leading out a team that finished ninth in the Big East last season. While the Storm has most players returning, it did lose a huge piece in leading scorer LJ Figueroa, who transferred to Oregon. The Storm also lost Mustapha Heron, who led the team in three-point percentage. However, the team returns Julian Champagnie, who looks like a rising star after making the Big East’s All-Freshman Team last season. Greg Williams, who averaged 13 points and four rebounds in his final five games, will return as well. In this year’s recruiting class, St. John’s added Vince Cole, Posh Alexander and Isaih Moore to add to a young lineup. With star players at other Big East schools having graduated or declared for the NBA Draft, the Red Storm have a chance to move up the rankings with a young core and young head coach.
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UCONN After seven long years in the American Athletic Conference, one of the Big East’s most historic programs finally returns home. However, the Connecticut program that was left behind by the “Catholic Seven” in conference realignment is considerably different from the program today. Since 2012, legendary UConn coach Jim Calhoun has retired, and the four-time NCAA national champions have not made the tournament since 2016. Current head coach Dan Hurley has taken the reins from Calhoun’s first successor, Kevin Ollie, and is going into his third year with the program. Early results show potential for Hurley to remain in Storrs for a while, and the move back to the Big East will only further benefit him and his hopes of returning UConn back to prominence. Like their head coach, this year’s team is young but has plenty of potential for the future. The Huskies lost last year’s leading scorer, Christian Vital, to graduation but still have plenty of talent at guard. Sophomore Jalen Gaffney and redshirt junior R.J. Cole, a transfer from Howard, should be taking turns as starting point guard. However, sophomore James Bouknight, last year’s second leading scorer, will have a significant impact on offense as well. Two important pieces in the backcourt should be returning this year from injuries. Before senior Tyler Polley had his season ended by a knee injury, he was shooting 40.5% from three. His shooting could be a critical piece for this year’s offense. There are more questions surrounding senior Akok Akok’s health, as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles. However, the Huskies have more depth at forward than ever including returning players Isiah Whaley and Josh Carlton, in addition to freshman Adma Sanogo, Javonte Brown and redshirt freshman Richie Springs.
XAVIER Following a season that saw them go 19-13 and get eliminated in the second round of the Big East Tournament by DePaul, the Musketeers’ eligibility for the NCAA Tournament was very much questionable. Due to the cancellation of the spring season, the question of a possible 2020 NCAA tournament run will forever remain unanswered. Senior guard Paul Scruggs placed third on the team in scoring last year, averaging 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He will look to pick up the brunt of the scoring load with the departure of Naji Marshall and Tyrique Jones. Named to the 2019-20 Big East All-Freshman Team, sophomores Zach Freemantle and Kyky Tandy expect to see increased roles due to the absence of the previously-mentioned alumni. After sitting out the 2019-20 season as a redshirt, 6’10” forward Dieonte Miles looks to make his presence known in the middle with solid rim protection. Four-star recruits C.J. Wilcher and Colby Jones bring shot-making ability and scoring prowess. This year’s roster will be led by head coach Travis Steele, who is entering his third year as the program’s head coach.
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From an Underdog to Making History
Three seasons, 98 games played, 67 games started. For fans of other Big East or Big 5 teams, it might seem like it’s been double that, but guard Collin Gillespie is now only entering his senior year at Villanova, ready for another season of competition. Mike Nardi, Kyle Lowry, Scottie Reynolds, Ryan Arcidiacono, Jalen Brunson. The starting point guard job for the Wildcats is a special one. Villanova was long ago dubbed “Guard-U” by national basketball pundits. To be a point guard for a Jay Wright team means you are special. How did Collin Gillespie end up here? He had a threestar ranking by 247Sports Com-
Courtesy of USA Today Sports
posite, good enough for number 200 nationally and the 38th best point guard of the 2017 recruiting class. The 38th best point guard isn’t supposed to play a role on a national championship team as a freshman. He isn’t supposed to beat out a five-star freshman as a sophomore to become a starter. He isn’t supposed to be the old guy as a junior, on his way to lead a team to a top four seed had the season not been canceled. He isn’t supposed to be the starting point guard for a team ranked in the top three in the preseason and is considered a national title contender. But he is. “I wanted to play at the highest level. I knew that I could play at the highest level,
By Billy Vinci and I thought I was being under recruited,” Gillespie said about his recruitment. “Villanova happened to start recruiting me early in my senior year… I actually took a visit, and I met with Coach Wright and some of the staff, and they came up with a plan for me for my four years here. I loved everything that it had to offer, and I committed probably three weeks later.” Gillespie joined the Wildcats as a freshman for the 201718 season, which happened to line up with one of the best Villanova basketball teams ever. “It was tough, practices were hard,” Gillespie said. “When you’re going against those guys every day; Jalen [Brunson], Donte [DiVincenzo], Mikal [Bridges], Phil [Booth], Eric [Paschall]... it’s tough… I’m playing against guys that are 20, 21, 22 in their third or fourth year of college. I knew it was going to make me better. I was learning from those guys. They taught me alot.” Gillespie wasn’t the star of that team, but besides a hand injury that cost him a month in the middle of the season, he played in every game, including 16 minutes in the National Championship. The 2018 team went on to dominate the postseason, winning the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, an experience Gillespie will never forget. “It’s surreal,” he said. “You dream about playing on
Courtesy of Ken Jancef
that stage. You don’t picture it getting there.” The Huntingdon Valley native had already gone from lightly recruited to national champion, but as the calendar turned to the 2018-19 season, his impact would only grow. In his sophomore season, Gillespie started in all 35 games he appeared in, only missing one game due to injury. Gillespie’s increased role in year two led him to average 10.9 points, 2.8 assists and shoot 37.9% from three point territory in nearly 30 minutes per game. The Wildcats went 26-10, won the Big East Tournament and lost to Purdue in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament, setting the stage for Gillespie’s junior season and his turn to be a leader. The idea of a senior leader to guide the team in his last go around isn’t exclusively a Villanova thing, but the success of players in their final year as a Wildcat has turned it into an important leadership position. That’s what made Gillespie’s junior season so different. The 2019-20 season, the Wildcats did not have any scholarship seniors, positioning Gillespie and classmates Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree and Jermaine Samuels to serve as the old guys.
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“It’s definitely difficult because… it’s hard in the program to focus on basketball and being a leader when you’re not a senior, when things might not come as easy yet,” Gillespie said. “I feel like being in the program for three years, it was easier to be able to lead, lead by example, lead vocally because I was around two great teams before that.” The Wildcats went 24-7 in the 2019-20 season and 13-5 in the Big East, good enough to share the Big East regular season title. Gillespie’s numbers jumped again, this time averaging 15.1 points and 4.5 assists in 34.1 minutes a game. Villanova never got the chance to prove itself in the postseason thanks to COVID-19, which wasn’t easy for Gillespie or the team. “It was tough for our team because I think we were clicking at the right time,” he said. “With a younger team at the end of last year, it was tough for a lot of us because we had a lot of potential. We thought we were playing really good Villanova basketball. Bringing a lot of the same guys back this year, we know that we have to stay committed to our core values.” Heading into the 202021 season, Gillespie is now the senior leader that’s so important to the Wildcats, and it’s especially important to a team widely ranked in the top three in the preseason. “We have a lot of the same group as last year, so I don’t feel that much different from last year to this year,” Gillespie said. “I feel like I’ve always been a leader, just growing up, from when I was younger. I’ve always been the point guard, you’re kind of the leader on the floor.” “We don’t talk about championships, rankings, numbers,” Gillespie added. “We have our core values.”
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Pandemics, New Coaching & Final Seasons Women’s basketball captain and senior Raven James reflects on her years at Villanova and looks forward to what the winter will bring.
Raven James enters her final year as a Wildcat, already boasting an impressive career. The product of Upper Marlboro, Maryland started in all 32 games last season and averaged 5.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 28.2 minutes per game. She shot on average .289 from the field, .310 from three point range and logged her career best 20 points in a Big East Tournament contest with Xavier. Prior to her junior year, James was an important contributor, in both her sophomore and freshman campaigns, seeing minutes in 32 and 22 games respectively. Arguably her most important role on the team this year, besides her on-court contributions, is her role as a leader. As with everything this fall, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on athletes returning to campus. At the same time there persists a feeling of hope on campus, a gratitude for the opportunity to make it work. “It’s been so different but I think in general it doesn’t matter how different it is, it’s just nice to be back,” James said. “I’m trying to take it day by day and make adjustments but I’m just happy to be back on campus.” COVID protocols have had a considerable impact on preparations for the upcoming season. Much practice opportunity was lost over the summer, and the necessary social distancing protocols have made practice
By Rylie Eisendhardt different from the past. However, James and her teammates are trying to focus on the positives. “It’s been difficult, but at the same time it’s been a blessing because it’s giving me time for myself and my teammates to focus on what we want to focus on,” she said. “It gave me enough time to get better at things I want to do. I got a second to step back and reevaluate my values and priorities.” The pandemic is not the only source of change happening on the Main Line. Longtime coach Harry Parretta stepped down at the end of last season,
after 42 years as head coach. Former Drexel head coach and Villanova alumnus, Denise Dillon, is taking his place. While following up Perretta’s decades of service will be difficult for any coach, James feels as though Dillon is up to the challenge. “I’m a person who likes to embrace change,” James said when speaking about the coaching transition. “Harry and Denise being connected is really helpful, and as a team, we’ve been doing really well with that. She’s really opened a dialogue, and it’s been a pretty smooth change. It’s fun to see where she
“I’m going to miss the people I consider family and normal things like going to the coaches offices.” Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
wants to take the program.” Dillon was once an assistant coach to Parretta before becoming the head coach at Drexel, and as a result, she shares many of his basketball ideologies. “It’s the same principles offensively,” James said. “The hardest thing is how defensive his mindset is; she is very demanding, but we’re up for the challenge. Her evaluations are not talent based but hard work, and she really values that.” Despite the new changes and challenges to this coming season, James and her teammates are ready to look ahead, especially after their season was cut short last year. “We ended on a pretty high note,” she said. “We want to build off that and do more in that aspect. We had a few big wins at the end of the season and couldn’t get to WNIT, but momentum will carry on into this year.” Of course, this season will be a test unlike any other. The season schedule is a race in order to minimize the impact of the pandemic through the late fall and into the winter. “We’ll be fighting through the adjustment and fatigue,” James said. “The schedule looks pretty demanding but at the same time, we kept asking for that challenge. We have to embrace every day because we keep asking for this. I’m thinking of all the sports that don’t have this opportunity”. There is much to look forward to this year. James in particular cites the progression of sophomore Maddy Siegrist, the reigning Big East Rookie of the Year. “I’m excited to see Maddy and her progression,” she said. “I enjoy playing with her, and I feel like we feed off each other. She’s young but a leader. We are good at pushing each other.”
As a senior, James herself returns to the team as a leader and a captain. “It’s such a different role,” James mentioned. “I’ve grown each year, but I feel like it’s going to give me more confidence and get me to the next level. I’m excited – it’s going to challenge me in many ways but I’m up for the challenge. My teammates have my back and I want to give it back to them.” Now in her final season, James reflects back on her time as a Wildcat. Her favorite moment with the program was last season as Harry Perretta’s sendoff game. “The turning point for us was the weekend of senior week,” James said. “We were dealing with Harry leaving and Cam leaving early, which we found out that week. We ended up playing DePaul, who was 12th in the country and had the most fans we ever had. We got the big win and showed the sky’s the limit. It was probably the happiest moment on the floor with my team.” In terms of what she will miss the most after graduation, she said “everyday life.” For James, “being able
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to hang out with my teammates and do things on and off the floor” is part of the everyday life at Villanova she’ll miss most. “I’m going to miss the people I consider family and normal things like going to the coaches offices,” James said. When asked if there is anything she would want to say to the Villanova community, James said, “In general, just super thankful and proud to be a Wildcat and a part of the community. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the team and parents and everyone supporting me. I want to remember that and be thankful for what I have with or without COVID. I’m focusing on being happy because I have been happy here.”
Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
58 | The Villanovan
How a Summer of Unrest Will Make Big East basketball is taking a stand against racial injustice By Tyler Kemp
The summer months of 2020 were a tumultuous time in America. Not only was the country trying to find its footing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but a recurring issue in the U.S. came to the forefront once again: police brutality against Black people that eventually led to death. While the issue of Black people being killed by police is nothing new in America, the nation was swept with viral videos that showed the heinous crimes and murders against people that lost their lives too soon. Names like Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd in the
Courtesy of the Villanova Athletics
states of Georgia and Minnesota, respectively, are the ones that ring out as the most recent examples of death on camera. Breonna Taylor of Louisville, Ky. was another name that surfaced on social media throughout the summer, as a Black woman who was shot and killed in her own home. After these three were murdered at the hands of their police departments, combined with other acts of brutality throughout the country, both Villanova basketball and the Big East decided that they would do their part in order to raise awareness on anti-racist initiatives. This past June, senior captain Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree led a peaceful march through his hometown of West Philadelphia, along with other college and high school basketball players from the state of Pennsylvania, to stand against not only police brutality against Black and Brown bodies, but racism as a systemic issue. “I had the uncontrollable urge to get up and participate in something that was bigger than myself,” Cosby-Roundtree said in an interview with The Villanovan. “I wanted to be able to practice what I was preaching and try to stand up and do whatever I could to get the message across that there is something wrong within our society.” Cosby-Roundtree and those involved in the peaceful march were also interviewed by 6
ABC Philadelphia. “People don’t understand what is happening in our society,” he said in the interview. “It’s not just the cops. It’s not just white people. It’s against racism itself. The racist system we grew up in. The racist system that people are born into. We got to figure out how to change.” Cosby-Roundtree was not the only member of the Villanova basketball family to speak out against racial injustice throughout the summer. Head coach Jay Wright acknowledged in a Zoom conference call over the summer that it was a very difficult time for his players as well his staff. “You’re talking to a lot of young men who are really hurting,” Wright said to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Usually on your team, you’ve got one guy that’s going through something, and you can all rally around him. This is, you’ve got a bunch of guys on the entire team and coaches who are really, really hurting.” This decade was filled with Black men and women, like Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile as well as the aforementioned Arbery, Floyd and Taylor, losing their lives to brutality. With so many examples of police brutality directly displayed on camera for millions to see on their local news stations and social media, it clearly became personal for players and coaches of the Wildcats.
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for an Impactful Basketball Season
Pictured are the 21 coaches from the Big East who helped kickstart the Coaches For Action initiative. Courtesy of Coaches For Action
One coach who decided to take action over the summer was assistant coach Kyle Neptune. A key course of action for Neptune was collaborating with other assistant coaches of color in the Big East to create Coaches For Action (CFA). A coalition that was formed
Courtesy of Coaches For Action
to “help raise awareness in the fight against racism and to develop a sustainable action plan to dismantle prejudice discrimination and oppression in Black, Brown, Indigenous and minorities communities.” On the macro scale, one of the keys to raising awareness as a conference during the season will be that all 11 teams in the Big East were approved to display Black Lives Matter patches on both men’s and women’s basketball uniforms during the 2020-21 season. Conference commissioner Val Ackerman commended the work of the 11 schools as a whole, CFA and the student-athletes of the conference for their work around social injustice. “We are proud that all eleven of our schools support the effort to bring attention through
Big East basketball to the Black Lives Matter movement and its goal of a more racially just world,” Ackerman wrote in a Big East press release. “We applaud the initiative and leadership of CFA and their efforts to shine light on the challenges that our Black student-athletes, coaches and administrators face on a daily basis.” Although work is far from done, both Villanova basketball and the Big East as a whole are taking steps in the right direction in order to raise awareness on how to stand against racism. With the efforts of players like Cosby-Roundtree and coaches like Neptune, the Wildcats are in good hands to lead the charge for the future of equality and justice for Black people and people of color.
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