Villanova Basketball’s Painter and Samuels headed to Europe

Happy Monday Nova Nation! It’s the start of another week as we inch closer to the regular season, and most of us are returning to the same old work week with the rest of our co-workers. However Villanova sophomores Dylan Painter and Jermaine Samuels are doing something different than the rest of their teammates this week.

The pair of Wildcats are leaving campus for an eight day trip to play games in Belgium on a team comprised of players from Kansas, SMU, UAB, Belmont, Rider, and West Chester. This trip should give them both the opportunity to get some extended playing time against significant competition.

But what I’m most excited about is the pedigree of Villanova players that have gone on this trip before. Most of the Nova players that went on this trip came back to have great seasons, including Phil Booth and Mikal Bridges prior to the 2016 Championship run. I think Painter and Samuels are both primed to be key contributors this season, and this could be another indicator that they’re ready to take that step.

Villanova has had a great history with Global Sports Academy, sending nearly 20 players overseas during the Jay Wright era.Here’s the list of Wildcats who’ve participated in a Global Sports Academy trip: Dwayne Anderson, Bilal Ben, Mikal Bridges, Phil Booth, Chris Charles, Tony Chennault, Dante Cunningham, Baker Dunleavy, Randy Foye, Darrun Hilliard, Kris Jenkins, Antonio Pena, Will Sheridan, Corey Stokes, Mouphtaou Yaru. If Painter and Samuels can take away the same lessons these other guys learned, it’ll be another great year to be a Wildcat fan.

In other “news”, Cremo and Bey are on campus, it’s list cutting season, and Brunson’s primed to contribute for the Mavs. Enjoy!

Villanova basketball adds transfer Joe Cremo, freshman Saddiq Bey to roster | Philly
Cremo, a graduate transfer, is expected to add experience from a team that lost four players from last year's national championship team to the NBA Draft.

5-star point guard Nico Mannion down to Arizona, Villanova, Duke, and Marquette | Arizona Desert Swarm
The Arizona Wildcats are one of four finalists for the local product. Villanova is also in the hunt.

Josh Green set to cut list down very soon | Keeping It Heel
Class of 2019 recruiting target Josh Green is set to cut down his list of schools very soon according to the latest report.

Will Jalen Brunson be a steal for the Mavs? Here's what needs to happen for him to see the court | SportsDay
Editor's note: This is the sixth in a series of Mavs player profiles about the 2018-19 roster.Jalen BrunsonPosition: GuardAge: 21Size: 6-3, 190...

Top 15 heartbreaking (Non-Duke) losses in Roy Williams’ first 15 years at UNC | Tar Heel Blog
The Blue Devils have reserved a space of their own with plenty of other options, both old and new.

Autopsy: Death ruled homicide as Wake Forest assistant placed on leave | NBC Sports
Jamill Jones was charged with third-degree assault and has been placed on leave by Wake Forest.