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

By Thomas Giustino

VILLANOVA, PA - JANUARY 14: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats reacts to a call during a college basketball game against the DePaul Blue Demons at the Finneran Pavilion on January 14, 2020 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - JANUARY 14: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats reacts to a call during a college basketball game against the DePaul Blue Demons at the Finneran Pavilion on January 14, 2020 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Villanova Basketball
Villanova Basketball (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Bench players for Villanova Basketball

Forward – Brandon Slater (Senior)

Brandon Slater may emerge as a sixth man of the year candidate for Villanova, that is if he doesn’t end up cracking a small-ball starting lineup. Last season, he primarily came off the bench as a spark on the defensive end. He averaged about 17 MPG off the bench, but his overall stats for the season are rather unimpressive. He averaged just 3.8 PPG and 2.2 RPG, although he shot nearly 42% from three.

Granted, this was on just one attempt per game. Slater emerged in the latter half of the season for Villanova; I would look for him to be much more aggressive this season and increase his productivity and contributions for the Wildcats.

Guard – Bryan Antoine (Junior)

Bryan Antoine was a McDonald’s All-American and top 25 recruit coming out of high school but has been unable to see the floor much due to injuries. Unfortunately, Antoine is out with an injury once again after suffering a patella tendon injury. However, Villanova seems hopeful that he will be able to make an impact this season upon returning from this injury. If he can stay healthy, Antoine will give the Wildcats a huge boost off the bench.

Forward – Trey Patterson (Freshman, enrolled early last season)

Trey Patterson was the top-ranked freshman in Villanova’s 2021 class. He is a top-50 recruit, standing in at 6-7, who enrolled at Villanova in January last season to get a head start on his freshmen campaign.

This experience should help him make his way onto the court earlier this season off the bench compared to the other freshmen. It will be interesting to see how much he can contribute, but I suspect he will have earned a spot in the rotation by the time conference play comes along.

Guard – Jordan Longino (Freshman)

Jordan Longino is a strong and athletic 6-5 guard, ranked just outside the top-50 in the 2021 class. Freshmen have to earn their keep under Jay Wright, especially on a team bringing back 4 starters, but Longino is versatile so he may be able to earn his way on to the court earlier than expected. He has an all-around game, with an ability to shoot from outside and finish inside. If he can pick up the defense quickly, it may be tough to keep him on the bench.

Guard – Angelo Brizzi (Freshman)

Angelo Brizzi is an underrated guard who fits perfectly in Jay Wright’s system. He will be the point guard of the future once Gillespie graduates (despite 24/7 listing him as a combo guard). Brizzi is a lefty standing in a 6-3 who can stroke it from outside. He will have this year to learn the system and develop behind Gillespie and will likely be tormenting the Big East for the foreseeable future.

Forward/Center – Nnanna Njoku (Freshman)

Nnanna Njoku rounds out the Wildcats 2021 recruiting class. Njoku isn’t built like a freshman, a whopping 6-9 245 pounds, he is a 4-star, top-100 recruit. Njoku will likely start off behind Eric Dixon on the depth chart this season but may see some time sooner rather than later if Dixon gets in foul trouble and Jay Wright wants to stay with a more conventional center on the floor.

Guard – Chris Arcidiacono (Junior)

I almost didn’t even list Arcidiacono as a key reserve, but he played big minutes in a couple late-season games when Gillespie went down with a knee injury. I think Arcidiacono may see the floor early in the season but will be surpassed by the freshmen guards in the latter half of the year.