Villanova Basketball: Early look at Wildcats 2019-20 returners and newcomers

Incoming Freshman

Bryan Antoine is a 5-star recruit from Eatontown, NJ. He chose Villanova over most notably Duke and Arizona. Antoine is a 6’5″, 168 pound shooting guard who is a bucket getter. He’s tremendous from beyond the arch, and has the potential to be a stellar defender as well. He needs to put on weight and strength, but I believe Antoine can be the next Mikal Bridges in Jay Wright’s system, as long as he stays long enough to develop.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is a 5-star recruit from IMG Academy in Florida. Robinson-Earl is a 6’8″,  235 pound power forward, and he may just be the most important impact freshman for Villanova next season. Robinson-Earl signed with Villanova over Duke, UNC, Kansas, Arizona, and Notre Dame. The Mcdonald’s All-American is a very smart basketball player with tremendous instincts. Robinson-Earl is a great defender, strong finisher at the rim, and he has a nice touch from the mid-range. I believe Robinson-Earl will be a starter from the first day he steps on Villanova’s campus. Robinson-Earl may follow in Omari Spellman’s footsteps and leave for the NBA after one season.

Justin Moore is a 4-star recruit out of Dematha Catholic in Maryland. Moore is a 6’4″, 200 pound shooting guard who chose the Wildcats over Maryland, Notre Dame, and Cincinnati. Moore is more of a standard Jay Wright guard. He works hard to excel above the competition, with strong defense and smart offense. He can finish at the rim over taller defender, and shoot the three ball pretty well. Moore will be a key piece for Villanova for a few years. He’s the perfect fit for Jay Wright’s system, and I think Wright could turn him into a potential first round draft pick after 2-3 threes at the program.

Eric Dixon is a local 4-star recruit from Abington, PA. The 6’7″, 250-pound power forward is a force to be reckoned with in the paint. He chose Villanova over Miami, Oklahoma State, and Georgetown. Dixon is a matchup nightmare because of his versatility on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he’s a stellar rebounder for his size (He’s 6’7″ on a good day), but he’s skilled enough and quick enough to defend smaller guys on the perimeter. Dixon has the strength to score inside against high-level division one centers, but a good enough shooter to pop the three ball if the opposition switches a smaller player on him. His player comparison a young Michael Beasley. Can shoot it, drive it, defend, and grab rebounds exceptionally well. Dixon will be an immediate impact performer next season for Villanova.

Each of these four recruits have the potential to be one-and-done’s. All four of them could be an impact player immediately almost anywhere in the country, but knowing Jay Wright one or two will have to wait their turn. If these guys buy into Wright’s system, Villanova could win another national championship within the next four years.

All in all, Villanova might be losing their top two players, but the future looks very bright. With four stellar freshman recruits coming to campus this fall, and Gillespie, Cosby-Roundtree, Bey, and Samuels, all with multiple years left in college, Villanova looks like a national title contender in the near future.