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Villanova Basketball: 2019-20 season recap of the Wildcats

By David Mullen

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 30: A general view of Finneran Pavilion prior to the game between the Xavier Musketeers and Villanova Wildcats on December 30, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 30: A general view of Finneran Pavilion prior to the game between the Xavier Musketeers and Villanova Wildcats on December 30, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Villanova Basketball
VILLANOVA, PA – DECEMBER 30: Justin Moore #5, Collin Gillespie #2, and Jermaine Samuels #23 of the Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Villanova Basketball was just getting up to speed when the college basketball season was canceled. Here is their season in review.

Villanova Basketball had a typical season for them under head coach Jay Wright. They won over 20 games and had no real embarrassing losses as far as opponents. Wright continually restocks his team and this year was no different with two top-100 freshman recruits playing an enormous part in the success of the Wildcats. Freshman forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, a Kansas native, nearly averaged a double-double in his first collegiate season (10.5 pts, 9.4 rebounds).

Despite having their lowest win total since 2012-13, the Wildcats ended the season strong and were poised to make a run in the Big East Tournament before its cancellation due to COVID-19. The Wildcats started out the season with a 4-2 record including an embarrassing loss to Ohio State (76-51) and a loss to top-ranked Baylor.

Next, the Wildcats reeled off six wins before falling to Marquette in early January. The Jay Wright led Villanova team followed the loss to Marquette with six straight wins and three straight losses in Big East play. Despite the three consecutive losses to Creighton, Butler, and Seton Hall, Villanova relied on their leadership (Jay Wright) and resilience to finish the season with a 7-1 record heading into the Big East Tournament.

With Jay Wright at the helm of a young Villanova team, the sky really was the limit in the NCAA Tournament. With several factors at play such as Jay Wright’s coaching and leadership ability, his ability to develop his players throughout the year and the parity this year in the NCAA, Villanova could have possibly made a run at another championship. It sounds crazy but never underestimate Philly grit coupled with great coaching. There’s no doubt ‘Nova could have reached the Elite Eight but the picture becomes murkier as the tournament progresses.