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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 – DECEMBER 21: Collin Gillespie #2 and Jermaine Samuels #23 of the Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 21: Collin Gillespie #2 and Jermaine Samuels #23 of the Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

5. The rare combination of experience and potential

When you glance across the elite teams in the nation, there are very few contenders with the same amount of returning pieces as Villanova. The projected starting five of Gillespie, Moore, Jermaine Samuels, Cole Swider, and Robinson-Earl all started at least 15 games last season, and only Daniels and Dixon have yet to suit up in a Wildcats uniform.

However, just as rare is the amount of players Villanova possess that are poised to take big jumps from the season prior. While we’ve already spoken on Robinson-Earl and Antoine’s potential leaps, a third sophomore has the chance to top them both. As college basketball insider Jon Rothstein put it, Justin Moore had an unusually great freshman year for the Wildcats.

It is no secret that returning players are bound to improve upon their prior season, but the number of players that fit that criteria for Villanova are staggering. This, combined with their experience is especially important this season, with lofty expectations leading into a college basketball season like no other.

Next. 2020-21 Big East preseason power rankings. dark

Despite everything, this equation of experience and youth, talent and leadership, players, and coach seems to be a winning formula. With everything put together, the 2020-21 rendition of the Villanova Wildcats seems poised to compete for the national championship come April.