NCAA Basketball: Ranking the top 25 team backcourts for 2022-23 season

While the Wildcats have to deal with the loss of the head coach on the sidelines (Jay Wright), they also have to deal with not having the head coach on the court in Collin Gillespie. The national-champion winning guard and playmaker is finally gone, leaving a potential hole at the point guard position.

The two veterans who are coming back though, are more than capable of taking over. Caleb Daniels is a four-year player at both Tulane and Villanova, scoring 10.3 ppg last season coming off the bench. He averaged 3.3 apg (along with 16.9 ppg) in his breakout sophomore campaign and should have a much more significant role next season.

Also returning is Justin Moore, coming off averaging 14.8 ppg and 2.3 apg. The 6’4 shooting guard had four games of 20+ points last season, including a career-high 27 points in the season-opener against Mount St. Mary’s.

While I see Cam Whitmore as more of a true forward than a guard, there are still four other young guards that Villanova has. Jordan Longino is a breakout candidate to watch, while Angelo Brizzi and four-star incoming freshman Mark Armstrong could be potential starting point guards if the team prefers that Daniels stays as a versatile combo option.

There’s a lot to like with this roster and they’ll be as steady as it comes in NCAA Basketball. As long a Moore comes back healthy, the Wildcats will be just fine.