The short answer is yes.
The Villanova Wildcats return a great core from a team that won the national championship last season. Villanova lost 2 of their core players in seniors Ryan Arcidiacano and Daniel Ochefu. It will be strange this season not seeing them in that Villanova blue, especially for Arcidiacano. Although they left big shoes to fill, I think the Wildcats have enough talent and team chemistry to keep their success going well into 2017.
Who will replace them?
Expect Phil Booth to get most of the minutes owned by Ryan Arcidiacano last season. Booth, a Junior combo guard had a solid season last year as one of the many rotational players that impacted every game. Booth had a big night on Championship Monday, and really showed that he can deliver big in the clutch. The Villanova starting lineup hasn’t been announced, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Phil Booth is in that lineup. Eric Paschall is a redshirt sophomore who will be playing for the Wildcats this season. As a Freshman at Fordham, he averaged 15.9 points per game, and 5.5 rebounds per game, which earned him the A-10 Rookie Of The Year award. There’s a decent chance that he gets a shot at starting this season, although I’m not sure exactly how well Paschall, Hart, and Jenkins will gel together on at the court at the same time. Our starting center will almost certainly be Darryl Reynolds. Freshman Dylan Painter and Sophomore Tim Delaney will get quality time as a post player, but this is Reynolds’ job to lose.
Who in the Big East should Villanova be worried about?
- Xavier Musketeers– Xavier is the only team in the Big East that I think will be a legitimate threat to Villanova winning the conference. The Musketeers were sensational last year, as they finished with a 28-6 record and 14-4 in Big East play, and had opportunities to win the conference. Trevor Bluiett decided to stay in Cincinnati, so anything is possible for the high ceiling Musketeers.
- Creighton Bluejays– Marcus Foster and Justin Patton are ready to play for Creighton, and they’re ready to improve on last seasons 20-15 team. Last year Creighton lacked that consistent second scorer, but with these two to bolster their attack, they should find that consistency with ease. Last season Creighton had their ups and downs, but I’m expecting them to make the NCAA tournament next season and contend in the Big East for the first time since Dougie McBuckets.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that Villanova will win the Big East conference. Xavier will contend, Creighton and others will take stabs to bring down the defending national champs, but in the end they will all fall short. Villanova brings back to much experience and to much talent to lose the Big East this season.
We will continue to extensively cover Villanova leading up to and throughout the college basketball season.
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