Villanova Wildcats to start Ryan Arcidiacono?

According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, “all signs” are “pointing to” true freshman point guard Ryan Arcidiacono starting this season after missing his senior year at Neshaminy due to surgery to remove a herniated fragment in his back. It’s risky for ‘Nova to start a player at the point with that little experience, especially in a conference that demands steady play at the point.

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But Arcidiacono is one of those rare talents, and he is one of those even rarer point guards who plays like a more experienced player than his age shows. He is an incoming four-star recruit and one of the three most prized recruits in the state of Pennsylvania. A top 60 recruits overall, Arcidiacono is regarded as one of the best ten incoming point guards and is one of the most intelligent prospects in the 2012 class.

Given his high amount of swagger and basketball, IQ, it seems like Jay Wright does have a guy who can succeed as a frosh starting at the point for a Big East team. Arcidiacono has an innate passing sense with vision of almost the entire court, and he is a capable scorer with a solid three-ball and the ability to attack the rim as needed. However, his defense is problematic and that swagger that he plays with does create some attitude issues at times. He does try to create his shot more than he should at times.

But those concerns are petty when looking at the bigger picture, and the tough 6’2″, 180 pound PG has been saying all the right things thus far. Arcidiacono is a big-time talent and gives Villanova a truly complete point guard with his terrific passing ability and versatile scoring presence at the point. It looks like he is in line to start over Tony Chennault, who transferred from Wake Forest and can play this season after getting a hardship waiver from the NCAA. It’s going to be a great position battle/situation to watch.

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