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

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 Collin Gillespie head coach Jay Wright Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Overall outlook for Villanova Basketball

Villanova has to replace a lot of production from Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, but they bring back almost every other piece from a Sweet 16 team that pushed Baylor to the brink. The team has talent, decent athleticism, and exciting youth. If they have any question marks, it is at the 5-spot, but lacking a dominant center is not the same problem it used to be in basketball.

KenPom projects Villanova to finish with a record of 22-8 (14-6) and win the Big East. It’s worth noting that of the preseason Top 25 KenPom teams, Villanova has the 7th ranked offense, but just the 37th ranked defense, which is the second-worst, only behind 23rd ranked Iowa. Can their offense overcome any perceived defensive issues? The one area that Villanova may struggle with is on the glass, particularly when they chose to go small.

However, Jay Wright and his teams have gotten around these types of questions before and I expect they will do so once again. Playing 5-out with five ball-handlers will force other teams to go small for matchup purposes which should help negate any mismatches on the boards.

The Big East looks like a strong and unpredictable league like always. There are two constants though, Villanova at the top, and DePaul at the bottom. This season looks no different. Will anyone challenge Villanova for their Big East crown?

Big East preseason power rankings for 2021-22. dark. Next

Teams like UConn, Xavier, Butler, and St. John’s will do their best, but I think another Big East regular-season title is on the horizon for the Wildcats, and Gillepsie and Samuels will be looking to cap off their college careers on a high note in both the regular and postseason. I think a trip to the Sweet 16 is the floor for this team.