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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: Cosby-Roundtree and Samuels fight. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 30: Cosby-Roundtree and Samuels fight. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

5. Succeed away from home.

Villanova is not going to be an especially experienced team this season. In fact, there will not be a single senior in the Wildcats’ rotation. As a result, the program will lean heavily on their junior class as leaders. This has already been discussed with regards to Gillespie, Cosby-Roundtree, and Samuels. Their leadership will be essential throughout the season as adversity is ever-present but it will be most important heading into road games. Over the course of last season, Villanova really struggled to play to their normal standards when forced to leave the confines of their home gyms.

In fact, Villanova finished just 4-7 in true road games last season. This included a stretch of five consecutive road losses in their last eight Big East games. This almost cost the team their Big East regular-season title and the coaching staff will certainly be looking to tighten up things for road games in 2019-20. Playing on the road can be especially challenging for young teams so the coaching staff and the upperclassmen will need to stay active in leading by example.

All three key juniors were rotation pieces when Villanova won the 2018 National Championship and they understand what it takes to win. The Wildcats are hoping to once again compete for the title and being able to win away from home will be crucial in accomplishing that goal. The Big East will be far more competitive in 2019-20 compared to last season and therefore it will be even more challenging to win on the road. Still, this should be one of the top-15 teams in the country and therefore they should find a way to be successful.

Next. Most-feared recruiting programs. dark

That concludes this look at five potential keys to success for Villanova basketball during this coming season. There are once again high expectations facing the Wildcats and hopefully their young core will be able to lead the way for this title-contending team. Watch out for their trio of juniors to take the next step as well as stars on the court.