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Big East Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

By Trevor Sinodhinos

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 09: Julian Champagnie #2 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during a college basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 9, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 09: Julian Champagnie #2 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during a college basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 9, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Big East Basketball Collin Gillespie Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Big East Basketball Collin Gillespie Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Villanova: Jermaine Samuels and Collin Gillespie

Decrease in production: Jermaine Samuels

The three-guard front Coach Jay Wight implemented with Collin Gillespie, Caleb Daniels and Justin Moore caused the 6’7 Jermaine Samuels to be the de-facto power forward on a Villanova squad that finished as the Big East Regular Season Champions who ended their season with a South 61-52 Regional Semi-Final loss to eventual National Champion Baylor Bears.

This season Coach Wright will be running out the same starting line-up except for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (15.7 ppg, 8.5rpg). With Robinson-Earl out and – most likely- Eric Dixon in, the front score scoring options lay solely on Samuels’ shoulders. Dixon was the No. 67 ranked freshman in 2019, but is not yet at the level of Robinson-Earl, and therefore leaving a lot more opportunity for Samuels to be targeted by the interior defense.

Increase in production: Collin Gillespie

The Wildcats won two and lost three without their starting point guard. Their two wins did come during the NCAA Tournament but were against Winthrop and North Texas. Gillespie averaged fourteen points and over four assists per game, stats that are difficult to improve upon. Without Robinson-Earl, the 6’3  Gillespie will take advantage of the size mismatch and see more post-up opportunities versus opposing points guards.

HIs 83 percent success rate from the foul line would support this as well. The Wildcats will go as far as Gillespie carries them and whether his numbers increase significantly or not his importance will and Gillespie’s production will be based upon their appearance in the Final Four.

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