Villanova Basketball heads West to LA

Happy Thursday Nova Nation! Your Villanova Wildcats flew across the country yesterday and have landed safely in Los Angeles for Friday’s exhibition with USC.

Noticeably absent from the trip is point guard Collin Gillespie, who is recovering from a broken nose. Gillespie will be back on the court in time for the season opener on November 5th, but if he hasn’t fully recovered by then he’ll be wearing a mask. In the meantime, freshman Justin Moore will start at point guard against USC with Saddiq Bey and Chris Arcidiacono serving as backups.

After today’s travel day, the Wildcats will get a practice/walk-through in tomorrow before their first competition against a live opponent this season. But before they get back on the court, the team was able to take some time to relax by visiting the Staples Center to watch former Wildcats Eric Paschall and Omari Spellman who were also in town to face the Lakers.

This is a great trip to help the young team get used to how the team travels and prepares for road games, as well as give the West coast alumni base a chance to see the Wildcats in person. Villanova will tip-off against USC on Friday night at 11 PM ET on the Pac-12 Network.

In other news, Saddiq Bey is named to the Julius Erving Award preseason watch list, Phil Booth is likely headed to the Wizards G-League team, and Villanova Volleyball gets a big win against Seton Hall. Enjoy!

Villanova Basketball

USC To Host National Power Villanova Friday At Galen | USC Athletics
Proceeds from the game will benefit the California Fire Foundation, which provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters

College basketball awards: 20 small forwards named to 2020 Julius Erving Award preseason watch list | NCAA.com
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 preseason candidates for the 2020 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award.

Bey Named to Erving Award Watch List | Villanova University Athletics
Bey on Julius Erving Award Watch List

Villanova Basketball Recruiting

Five-star point guard Devin Askew set to announce college decision Thursday | tucson.com
The Mater Dei star is expected to pick Kentucky.

Trio of elite wing prospects reportedly set to visit Texas | Burnt Orange Nation
Some of the nation’s premier wing prospects will be in Austin in the coming days.

NBA Wildcats

Wizards waive former first-rounder Justin Anderson, others; sign Jalen Jones | Yardbarker
Anderson, the 21st overall pick in the 2015 draft, spent last season with the Hawks, recording 3.7 PPG and 1.8 RPG in 48 games (9.6 MPG). He averaged 9.8 PPG with a .385 3PT% in four preseason games for Washington.

Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo primed for breakout season | Behind the Buck Pass
After his rookie campaign was derailed by injuries, Donte DiVincenzo will hope to take advantage of his opportunities this season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Mavericks finding the right balance in a crowded backcourt will be crucial to their success | CBSSports.com
The Mavs have five distinctly different guards at their disposal who can all help Dallas get back to the postseason

Mikal Bridges is in line for a massive breakout season for the Suns | Clutch Points
Phoenix Suns swingman Mikal Bridges had one of the most low-key (semi) breakout seasons as a rookie last term. So much hype surrounded...

Omari Spellman injury further depletes thin Warriors frontcourt | SFChronicle.com
With Omari Spellman (back), Willie Cauley-Stein (foot), Kevon Looney (hamstring) and Alen Smailagic (ankle) injured, training-camp invitees Marquese Chriss and Kavion Pippen are Golden State’s only available centers.

Report: Wizards sign Pasecniks and Jones to contracts | Bullets Forever
Phil Booth was waived but will remain in the Go-Go’s training camp.

Brooklyn Nets: 3 free agents that the team could sign in the coming weeks | Sportskeeda
Here are three players that the Nets could sign if they chose to make roster changes during the opening weeks of the season.

Villanova Football

FCS Playoffs 'Til I Die: Who Will I Cast Out Of the Projected Bracket This Week? (By Picking Them) | The College Sports Journal
Welcome, America, to the FCSP'TID Cover Photo Curse.Eastern Washington, UC Davis, Jacksonville State, and, last week, Montana State graced this space as rising teams that were all but guaranteed spots in the FCS playoffs after a particularly impressive win, or a gut-check performance.

FCS PODCAST: Midseason National Honors, And Weird Bowl Games FCS Programs Once Played In | HERO Sports
HERO Sports writers Brian McLaughlin and Sam Herder discuss what's happening in the world of FCS football on B-Mac and Herd's FCS Podcast.

Villanova Athletics

Volleyball Back in Win Column With Four-Set Victory over Seton Hall | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova, Pa. – Villanova volleyball ended its two-game slide and got back in the win column with a four-set victory over Seton Hall Wednesday night.

Five Wildcats Are Traveling to Charlottesville for the ITA Atlantic Regionals | Villanova University Athletics
On Thursday, Villanova will be traveling to Charlottesville, Va., for the ITA Atlantic Regionals.

Sydnor Selected for NFHCA Division I Senior Game | Villanova University Athletics
Senior forward Lydia Sydnor was of 38 players in the country selected to play in the NFHCA Division I Senior Game.

College Basketball

Teams, players who will make the biggest jumps in 2019-20 | ESPN+
Which programs and budding stars are ready to take a step forward in the top leagues? Here's your early intel.

2019-20 CBS Sports Preseason All-America teams: College basketball's best and most talented players | CBSSports.com
Michigan State's Cassius Winston and Marquette's Markus Howard lead the CBS Sports All-America teams