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Villanova Basketball: 5 reasons why Wildcats should be 2020-21 title favorites

By Matthew Winick

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: The Villanova Wildcats celebrate the 74-72 win over the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Championship Game to claim the Big East title at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: The Villanova Wildcats celebrate the 74-72 win over the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Championship Game to claim the Big East title at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 29: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #24 of the Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 29: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #24 of the Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s ascent into superstardom

Between the statistics, the eye-test, and the Villanova personnel, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl fits the exact prototype of a player prime for a freshman to sophomore jump. Last year’s Big East Rookie of the Year and the 15th overall high school recruit was efficient and solid last season. While most of the Villanova rotation will stay the same this season, Robinson-Earl’s role within it may change.

First and foremost, Robinson-Earl’s game revolves around his elite rebounding ability. As a freshman, he finished in the top five in both offensive and defensive rebounding amongst all-Big East players. To come into a high major league and dominate on the boards so quickly is impressive, to say the least. With Robinson-Earl on the floor, it’s clear that the Wildcats are getting a defensive anchor, with the strength to take on any big man the Big East throws his way.

Beyond that, Robinson-Earl was surprisingly efficient last season. He finished 7th in the Big East in free throw percentage, and his two-point field goal percentage was in the top 20. It’s typically said that good free throw shooters possess the potential to stroke it from deep, and if Robinson-Earl can improve his 33% from beyond the arc, it will open up his game so much more.

While Robinson-Earl comes back as Villanova’s fourth-highest returning scorer, the odds are that he surpasses some of his teammates. Simply put, his value as a rebounder and a three-level scorer at his size makes him an extremely valuable player offensively, who can bully smaller defenders and blow by bigger ones.

If he can improve laterally on defense, it would allow coach Wright to play him in longer stretches, and provide him more opportunities offensively. Either way, if he takes significant strides this offseason as most Wildcats do, Robinson-Earl could be headed for some more hardware at season’s end.