Villanova Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Wildcats

We’re less than a month away from the start of college basketball and no one should be surprised that Jay Wright and Villanova Basketball is once again looking like the team to beat in the Big East and a threat to win the national title.

Since the new Big East formed, what the Wildcats have done has been nothing short of spectacular. They have won the regular-season title in all but one season (Xavier, 2018), sharing it with Creighton and Seton Hall in 2019-2020. Villanova has also won four Big East Tournament titles in this time span and two national championships. There is no reason to think that the team will be slowing down anytime soon as Jay Wright continues to reel in high-level recruits.

If not for Collin Gillespie injuring his MCL, Villanova could have been on their way to another final four last season. Keep in mind, Nova gave Baylor, the eventual champs, a run for their money in the Sweet 16. Other than Villanova, Baylor ran through the field, including Gonzaga in the title game. So what is Jay Wright working with this year?

Villanova returns four starters, losing co-Big East Player of the Year Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. JRE was a huge factor for Villanova last season. He averaged the most minutes (34.5), points (15.7), and rebounds (8.5) per game for the Wildcats last season. However, Villanova returns 75.1% of their minutes from last season and, in typical Jay Wright fashion, the team has a perfect blend of experience and talented youth.

The preseason AP Top 25 poll came out this past week and has Villanova sitting at 4. Most other polls I’ve seen have Villanova top 10 nationally at a minimum, but I also see quite a few skeptics. I won’t doubt Villanova until I’m given a good reason. Once again, the expectations are sky high and the Wildcats have their eyes set on yet another Big East regular-season title, tournament title, and perhaps a national title. Let’s take a look at their projected starters.