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Villanova Basketball: Keys to success for the Wildcats in 2019-20

By Lukas Harkins

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 03: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts against the Georgetown Hoyas in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on February 3, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Villanova defeated Georgetown 77-65. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 03: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts against the Georgetown Hoyas in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on February 3, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Villanova defeated Georgetown 77-65. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 23: Gillespie of Villanova dribbles. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 23: Gillespie of Villanova dribbles. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. Gillespie emerges as a leader.

As the lone returning full-time starter from last year and primary upperclassman on the roster, Villanova will turn to Collin Gillespie to be a leader this season. He has been a strong secondary piece for the last two seasons but should be ready to shoulder more of the burden now that he is a junior. Even though Gillespie was not a highly-rated recruit out of high school (No. 200 in 2017), he has been exceptionally success through two years with Villanova. He is fresh off averaging 10.3 points (.409/.379/.839), 2.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game last season and will carry more of the weight this time around.

As already mentioned, Villanova’s incoming freshmen will likely be the top scorers on the team. If that occurs, Gillespie will be allowed to function in his best role as a secondary option and creator. He will, though, still be the team’s leader at the point guard position and the poised veteran needed to keep everyone poised in tough situations. Gillespie might not be the one making headlines for the team this season but he will be the leader that puts up very solid and confident numbers. That kind of player is exceptionally valuable and he should be a full-time starter once again this season.

His leadership will be vital to team success and he will also be among the team’s leading scorers. It is important to mention, though, that he will not be alone as an on-the-court leader. Both Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree and Jermaine Samuels are also returning as talented juniors and they should all help in guiding this young roster through difficult stretches.