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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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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 30: Coach Wright of the Wildcats reacts. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 30: Coach Wright of the Wildcats reacts. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

4. Improve defensively.

Villanova still managed to win the Big East during this past season but they clearly suffered a step back compared to their prior successes. The finished the campaign at just 26-10 (13-5 BE) and lost in the opening weekend fo the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed. For most programs, that is a great season but the Wildcats have their sights set higher. Over the course of this past campaign, Villanova showcased a methodical offense that continuously scorched opponents, especially from beyond the arc. Their downfall, though, was on the defensive end.

Villanova finished at just 81st in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency last season. This national ranking was the second-lowest in the “Jay Wright Era” of the program (2002-present) and that is significant. It also came after the Wildcats had finished the prior five seasons in the top-12 in that category. Villanova has been widely known as a dominant two-way program for the past several years and they will look to exhibit an improved defense this year. That might be difficult to do considering their youth, but their freshmen are touted as strong defenders. Most notably, Bryan Antoine is a true stopper on the wing with the ability to defend multiple positions. He is athletic, long, and very instinctual on that end of the floor.

Additionally, the ‘Cats are returning their two best shot-blockers with Samuels and Cosby-Roundtree in the frontcourt. Villanova basketball is typically tremendous on the defensive end and hopefully the program will return to that level fo excellence this year. Team defense will need to improve across the board but they most notably should look to cause more turnovers. Villanova’s defensive turnover rate of 18.0% last year was the second-worst ever under Coach Wright.