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Villanova Wildcats Sports, News, & Information
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Around the Big East: Villanova Wildcats
Villanova wraps its 2025‑26 campaign at 24‑9 (15‑5 Big East), finishing third in the league but falling to Georgetown in the conference quarters and Utah State in the NCAA first round. Coach Kevin Willard returns for a second year after a roster overhaul that adds size and experience, including transfers Kwame Evans Jr., Devin Royal, Jake Fiegen, Elijah Crawford and Darryl “Buddy” Simmons II, plus 7‑foot‑3 freshman Luigi Suigo. Returning leader Tyler Perkins (13.7 PPG) and recovering Matt Hodge boost the frontcourt, while the point‑guard spot remains the biggest question. Preseason polls rank the Wildcats third in the Big East, and analysts see them as contenders alongside Connecticut, St. John’s, Marquette and Xavier.
Kevin Willard Fires Multiple Shots During Press Conference Regarding Big 5 Departure
After a 93-71 preseason loss to Virginia, Villanova coach Kevin Willard blasted the Philadelphia Inquirer and clarified that the Wildcats did not pull the plug on the Big 5. He insisted the decision was driven by the other five schools, calling the current format “stupid” and emphasizing his goal to keep the triple‑header at Xfinity Mobile Arena and its pre‑game banquet alive. Willard argued Villanova wants continuity, citing low attendance at La Salle (500) versus higher draws for Penn‑St. Joe’s (2,000), and accused the Inquirer of poor reporting. He also hinted at future series with Temple and a home‑and‑home with Fran McCaffery, while rejecting low‑attendance road games.
Villanova Is Leaving Philadelphia’s Big 5 Following 2026-27 Season
Villanova announces it will exit the historic Philadelphia Big 5 after the 2026‑27 season, joining the round‑robin schedule of Penn, La Salle, Temple, St. Joseph’s and Drexel beginning in 2027‑28. The Wildcats cited scheduling concerns—specifically avoiding mandatory road games—as the break‑down point in negotiations. Villanova capped last year’s campaign by clinching its 30th Big 5 title with a 90‑63 victory over Penn, the first season under a format that featured home‑and‑away games plus a triple‑header at XFinity Mobile Arena. The decision ends a tradition that started in 1955.
Player Preview: Devin Royal
Villanova head coach Kevin Willard targets Ohio State forward Devin Royal in the transfer portal, and Royal has already dazzled in his first two Wildcats exhibitions. The 6‑foot‑6 senior poured in 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists against Rutgers, then followed with 25 points and eight boards versus George Mason, averaging 22.5 points and nine rebounds. Last season at Ohio State he logged 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and shot 77.4% from the line. Royal’s blend of mid‑range scoring, rebounding and toughness gives Willard flexibility at the four and three spots, making him a key piece for Villanova’s 2026‑27 Big East campaign.
Player Preview: The 2026-27 Bench Mob
Villanova’s final three roster spots illustrate how the bench has evolved from walk‑ons to scholarship players from lower‑tier schools. Veteran graduate forward Wade Chiddick returns for a third year after modest minutes and three points in his first two seasons. Former Towson big man Abdou Samb, a 6‑8 redshirt senior with experience at Rhode Island, IU‑Indianapolis and Towson, provides size in a pinch despite a recent leg injury. Guard Brady Muller, a Bucknell alumnus from a Wildcats family, saw limited action at Bucknell and logged just one minute in his Villanova debut. With injuries to Kwame Evans Jr. and Matt Hodge, the trio is expected to see court time mainly in decided games, contributing in practice and offering depth when needed.
Villanova goes unranked in first AP Poll
Villanova drops out of the AP Top‑25 for the first poll of the season, earning only six votes that place the Wildcats around 38th nationally. Only two Big East programs—UConn (4th) and St. John’s (13th)—make the top 25, with Marquette picking up three votes. Despite the snub, the Wildcats boast talent above schools like VCU and Saint Louis, and they aim to prove themselves in an exhibition against No. 9 Virginia on Thursday at the Finneran Pavilion.
Villanova takes down George Mason by 17 in exhibition
In the second of three tune-ups for Rome, the Wildcats defeated the Patriots 84-67 at the Finneran Pavilion on Saturday afternoon. The game was not televised (get it together), but those in attendance got to witness Devin Royal on the home floor for the first time. The former Ohio State Buckeye once again led the […]
Kevin Willard Passing On Recruiting High School Players: Is It The Right Move?
It is a new era of college basketball with the transfer portal and NIL becoming king. This means coaches have to think differently as well, especially with the NCAA bringing in the new fifth-year rule. Villanova’s Kevin Willard has done this and that includes passing on recruiting high school players this year in hopes of […]
Former Villanova standout Cam Whitmore is turning heads with Nuggets
Former Villanova standout Cam Whitmore might finally be catching a break in the NBA, and he’s making the most of it. After bouncing from Houston to Washington, briefly landing in Cleveland for all of two minutes, and ultimately signing a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets in September, the 22-year-old is starting to look like […]
Player Preview: Luigi Suigo
Villanova was connected to Luigi Suigo during the offseason for what felt like a year. It was a stressful time for all those involved, but that wait became worthwhile on June 13 when the 7’3” Italian withdrew from the NBA Draft and committed to the Wildcats. At the time, the only true center on the […]
Player Preview: Jake Fiegen
Kwame Evans Jr. and Devin Royal were the top two names in the rumor mill once the transfer portal opened, but the first player that Villanova met with was Cornell’s Jake Fiegen. The competition for the 6’4” senior was stiff, with the other reported teams involved being Vanderbilt, Northwestern and Virginia. Being a three-year player […]
Villanova at Rutgers: Exhibition Thread
Viewing note: B1G+ will cost $8.99 for the game pass, if you would like to watch the game.
“Around the Big East” Season Preview – Georgetown Hoyas
2025-26 Season Recap: Head Coach: Ed Cooley is back for his fourth season at the helm. Departing players: KJ Lewis – USC (14.9 PPG) Malik Mack – Providence (13.6 PPG) Julius Halaifonua – Oklahoma State (9.5 PPG) Jeremiah Williams – Graduation (5.9 PPG) Deshawn Harris-Smith – Delaware (5.2 PPG) Isaiah Abraham – Kansas State (4.8 […]
Villanova gets major Tyler Perkins injury update ahead of season opener in Rome
Villanova basketball got some good news and some not-so-good news on the injury front this week. CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein reported Tuesday that senior guard Tyler Perkins has been fully cleared for all basketball activities following offseason surgery on his right shoulder. Perkins underwent arthroscopic surgery in late April and was cleared […]
“Around the Big East” Season Preview – Seton Hall Pirates
2025-26 Season Recap: Head Coach: Shaheen Holloway for his fifth season at the helm. Departing players: The whole roster, minus Trey Parker (and potentially Elijah Fisher). Below are some notables. Adam Clark – Ole Miss (12.7 PPG) AJ Staton-McCray – Graduation (11.8 PPG) Tajuan Simpkins – Mississippi State (9.7 PPG) Mike Williams – Tulsa (7 […]
Villanova Women’s Hoops Picked Second In Big East Preseason Rankings
The Villanova Women’s Basketball team has high hopes for the upcoming season with a load of returning talent. The Wildcats were picked second in the Big East, behind only UConn to no one’s surprise. The Huskies received all first-place votes except one, which went to Villanova via Geno Auriemma using process of elimination. Villanova went […]
Let’s Break It Down: Villanova Picked Third In Big East Preseason Poll
Villanova had a busy offseason in hopes of returning near the top of the Big East. As we prepare to head into the regular season, that is the expectation — and the polls agree. Last week, Villanova was picked third in the Big East preseason poll. The Wildcats were picked behind only UConn and St. […]
Nova Nation Tip-Off: A Thread
UNCASVILLE, CT - MARCH 09: Villanova Wildcats mascot Will D. Cat poses for a photo before the BIG EAST Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game between the UConn Huskies and the Villanova Wildcats on March 9, 2026 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Back in the Finn tonight for Nova Nation Tip-Off‼️✌️ Admission is FREE! 🚪 Doors Open | 6 PM⁰✍️ MBB + WBB Autographs | 6–6:30 PM⁰✌️ Nova K...
Big East Media Day Recap
Preseason Poll All-Big East Teams First Team: Second Team: Third Team: Preseason Player of the Year: Silas Demary Jr. – Connecticut (why is he not on first team?!) Preseason Freshman of the Year: Colben Landrew – Connecticut Villanova Notes (summary) Kevin Willard on his feelings going into the second season: He feels great. He feels […]
Player Preview: Darryl Simmons II
It’s been awhile since Villanova had a player like Darryl Simmons II on its team. The 5’11” guard projects as an old-school “microwave” off of the bench who can come in and flip a game. For me, it’s been nearly two decades since a player like this has been on the team. Let’s go back […]
Player Preview: Elijah Crawford
Kevin Willard was connected to a number of point guards during the transfer-portal process, but he landed on Elijah Crawford as his choice. This decision was made in large part due to three things: free-throw shooting, defense and pick-and-roll efficiency. Both Willard and CBS’ Jon Rothstein have spoken about these attributes on multiple occasions throughout […]
“Around the Big East” Season Preview: St. John’s Red Storm
2025-26 Season Recap: Head Coach: Rick Pitino returns for his fourth season at the helm. Departing players: Zuby Ejiofor – Graduation (16.3 PPG) Bryce Hopkins – Graduation (13.6 PPG) Oziyah Sellers – Graduation/Transfer Portal (8.2 PPG) Dillon Mitchell – Graduation (8.3 PPG) Joson Sanon – West Virginia (7.9 PPG) Dylan Darling – Grand Canyon (6.9 […]
Player Preview: Adam Oumiddoch
At one point in time, freshman guard Adam Oumiddoch was slated to become a rival with St. John’s. But now, having flipped his commitment to Villanova, the guard looks to be the next in line of Wildcat greats. In the time of Jay Wright, a player of Oumiddoch’s pedigree was the sweet spot for his […]
How former Villanova star Cam Whitmore can finally stick in the NBA
Former Villanova 5-star forward/wing — and Big East Freshman of the Year — Cam Whitmore is getting another shot in the NBA, this time with the Denver Nuggets. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported the news on Friday: Denver signed Whitmore to a one-year, two-way contract after the 22-year-old was traded from Washington to Cleveland […]
Player Preview: Carter Fisk
Kevin Willard has strong ties to the Baltimore, MD area, and with the commitment of 2026 prospect Carter Fisk he dipped into that pool again. The 6’2” guard from St. Frances Academy is an unranked recruit, but one that Willard was near the front of the line to offer back in December. Fisk has been […]
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