Big East Basketball: 10 biggest questions for league entering 2023-24 season

Can Villanova return to its former glory?

As we usher in the 2023-24 college basketball season, the Villanova Wildcats are poised to build upon their late-season surge.

While some familiar faces remain, Head Coach Kyle Neptune has an influx of new talent to work with heading into his second year at the helm. The team bid farewell to key players Cam Whitmore and Caleb Daniels, who both took their talents to the NBA. Additionally, senior guard Brandon Slater, who contributed over 10 points per game, has graduated from the program.

But Villanova wasted no time in the transfer portal, securing a quartet of quality additions to rekindle the excitement of NCAA basketball in Pennsylvania.

Starting with the guard position, one of the standout newcomers is TJ Bamba. Hailing from Washington State, the senior aims to have a strong final season at Villanova and potentially step into Brandon Slater’s spot in the starting lineup. He offers a higher offensive ceiling than Slater, highlighted by his significant jump in production from 7.7 to 15.8 points per game in 2022-23. With a new team and a fresh opportunity in front of him, Bamba is expected to further his development and establish a prominent role in the Wildcats’ offence.

But the additions don’t stop there. Tyler Burton, who had a standout season with Richmond averaging 19 points per game, also joins Villanova for the upcoming season. Burton brings size and a scoring touch at the forward position. He racked up 7.4 rebounds per game last season, which could come in handy to help fill the void left by Cam Whitmore. If he can quickly adapt to the physicality of the Big East, Burton will surely be a valuable asset in Villanova’s revamped frontcourt.

There’s also Hakim Hart, a 6’6″ guard from the Big Ten that adds another layer of depth to this roster. Last season with Maryland, Hart posted 11 points per game on 48% shooting. Although there’s still more to be desired from beyond the arc, Hart’s game still has plenty room to develop.

These three newcomers combined for 151 three-pointers last season, which will provide a much-needed boost to Villanova’s long-range shooting. The Wildcats finished the previous season ranked 199th in the nation from downtown, and these new recruits could prove to be crucial in helping to change the narrative surrounding this team.

Villanova’s sole freshman for the 2023-24 season is Jordann Dumont, a 6’8″ forward from Canada. Although his commitment did not make national headlines, Dumont has the potential to surprise. In his senior year at Hamilton Heights, he averaged 19.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. The highlight of his high school career came when he set a school record with a 40-point game, surpassing the mark set by current NBA player Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Dumont may need to earn his spot in the lineup, but his potential is definitely worth watching as the season progresses.

Despite the influx of transfers, Villanova will return over 52 percent of their scoring from the previous season. Senior forward Eric Dixon will need to play a key role and continue to bully opponents the paint and shoot efficiently from beyond the arc. Senior guard Justin Moore, a consistent scorer throughout his career, will also be heavily relied upon for his three-point scoring and playmaking abilities.

Apart from Dixon and Moore, there are questions about which players are ready to step up. Guards Mark Armstrong, Brendan Hausen, and Jordan Longino all posted similar statistics in limited playing time last season. Hausen, who posted an elite 42.9 percent three-point shooting percentage in his freshman year, is a prime candidate to break out and provide valuable bench scoring.

With a new era under Head Coach Kyle Neptune taking shape, Villanova is ready to get return as a powerhouse within Division I basketball. Despite their disappointing performance in the previous season, the Wildcats retained more than half their offense while adding a plethora of new talent along the way. Keep an eye on this team – I believe Villanova is poised for a strong comeback season.