Villanova Basketball could add another player this summer

Happy Tuesday Nova Nation! Still coming off the news that Bryan Antoine will be rehabbing this summer, questions have started to rise about Villanova’s guard depth this year. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve always been there when you consider that only Collin Gillespie, Bryan Antoine, Justin Moore, and Chris Arcidiacono were true guards on a team full of big men and wings. Considering that three of those options have never played college basketball before, there’s at least reason to pause.

Monday may have presented at least a partial solution to that problem in former TCU guard Kendric Davis, who announced he’ll be transferring this summer. Per a report out of Fort Worth, Villanova will be one of the possible landing spots for Davis, along with LSU, SMU, Arizona State, San Diego State, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

The 5’11, 180 pound Davis was a key reserve for the Horn Frogs this season, averaging 6.3 points and 2.0 assists in just over 17 minutes per game. He even got two starts under head coach Jamie Dixon during the season, and by all accounts was a fan favorite. It’s still unclear why he’s choosing to move on, especially this late in the off-season, but Villanova could end up being the beneficiary.

The Wildcats do still have one open scholarship this season, but filling it would also mean they leave themselves with no scholarships for the Class of 2020. That is unless someone were to leave early or transfer after the upcoming season. Also, there are no guarantees that Davis would be available to play for Villanova this season as he’d likely have to sit out a year. That said, it sounds like you can just try to get a hardship waiver and hope for the best these days.

Personally, I think Villanova is an unlikely landing spot for Davis. Admittedly, I’ve seen wackier things happen, so there’s no ruling it out. But given the addition of Caleb Daniels already and some strong prospects in the class of 2020, I doubt the coaching staff will push too hard to add Davis. Either way, we’ll keep monitoring the situation.

In other news, everyone’s talking about Kyle Lowry, a look at why UNC and Villanova are turning to (potential) one-and-dones, and if he keeps winning player of the week it’s going to be hard to keep Matt Szczur in the minors. Enjoy!

Recruiting

TCU basketball: Kendric Davis announces he’ll transfer | Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Freshman guard Kendric Davis announced plans to transfer on Monday. Davis played well in his true freshman season, seeing more playing time when Jaylen Fisher left.

TCU Basketball’s Kendric Davis is leaving the program | Frogs O' War
In a shocking move, the fan favorite sophomore has elected to transfer.

Kyle Lowry

Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry fighting through injuries in NBA Finals | Yardbarker.com
While their star players haven’t been forced out of action like some Warriors have been, the Raptors are dealing with some health issues of their own in these NBA Finals, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. According to Vardon and Sam Amick of The Athletic

Raptors rumors: Kyle Lowry's hand injury involves a ligament | Clutch Points
Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry is dealing with a hand injury, and it reportedly involves a ligament.

Raptors need more from fearless Lowry in NBA Finals | The Star
Kyle Lowry’s mangled left thumb is destined for surgery in the summer. More production against the mighty Warriors is a lot to ask, no question, but it’s hard to imagine the Raptors winning a championship without it, Bruce Arthur writes.

Risk-Reward: Raptors’ Lowry a master at drawing charges, but can come at a cost | LethbridgeNewsNOW
Taking a charge in the NBA can be an art form. Timing, speed, smarts, balance - and, of course, fear...

Kyle Lowry's Wife & Kids Love Toronto So Much They're Making Plans To Stay | Narcity
The Lowry family is in love with Toronto.

Coaches, trainers and Kyle Lowry - what we think we know in a 1-1 Finals | ESPN
The Raptors opened the 2019 NBA Finals with a convincing win. Then the Warriors took back home-court advantage. Here are the key takeaways after two games.

Kyle Lowry gifts Raptors teammates with custom OVO-themed headphones | Yahoo! Finance
After 13 seasons in the NBA, Kyle Lowry is enjoying his first trip to the NBA Finals. He knows just who to thank for helping him get there.

NBA Draft

2019 NBA Draft scouting report: Eric Paschall | Peachtree Hoops
Before the 2019 NBA Draft arrives, Peachtree Hoops will break down more than 70 available prospects with an eye toward what the Atlanta Hawks may look to do in late June.

This report focuses on...

2019 NBA Draft Profile: Eric Paschall, Villanova University | SLC Dunk
Is Villanova’s versatile glue guy the next PJ Tucker?

2019 NBA Mock Draft: Duke's RJ Barrett looks like a good fit for the Knicks at No. 3 | CBSSports.com
Zion Williamson is still a clear No. 1 and one of his Blue Devil teammates could be headed to New York

NBA Wildcats

Josh Hart says he and Frank Vogel ‘have a great relationship’ and that he loves Vogel’s plan for Lakers | Silver Screen and Roll
Josh Hart is the latest member of the Lakers to come out in support of new head coach Frank Vogel.

Josh Hart wants Lakers to sign Jimmy Butler and/or Kyrie Irving | Silver Screen and Roll
Josh Hart is on quite the media tour, this time talking about teammates he wouldn’t mind seeing on the Lakers. We’re guessing most fans wouldn’t mind Kyrie Irving or Jimmy Butler, either.

MLB Wildcats

Matt Szczur Wins Pacific Coast League Player of the Week Award | KTVN Channel 2
Reno Aces outfielder Matt Szczur has been named the Pacific Coast League’s Player of the Week for the period of May 27 – June 2, the League Office announced Monday.

Villanova Adjacent

Villanova transfer Jahvon Quinerly commits to Alabama | 247 Sports
Former five-star recruit and Villanova transfer Jahvon Quinerly committed to Alabama on Sunday. He talks about why Alabama was the right place for him.

'Feed the City' Event in Plainfield with Tyrone Johnson | TAPinto
PLAINFIELD, NJ - Tyrone Johnson, a former Plainfield High School basketball player, is giving back to his community, hosting another “Feed the City” event, cookout style, at Debo’s Drive Thru...

Radnor man finds meaning in cycling to raise money for childhood cancer research | timesherald.com
McIntyre, a Radnor resident, began going to the Villanova University gym to work out and met Dick Brant, of Newtown Square, there who lost his daughter, Katie, to cancer.

Tulane officially announces new-look basketball roster with 8 newcomers | nola.com
Roster includes two holdovers who did not play last season either because of injury or transfer rules. Villanova may play Tulane this season at the Myrtle Beach Invitational.

Big 5

After turmoil, Billy Lange is settled in at St. Joseph’s | The Inquirer
Getting accustomed to the transfer portal is one of the adjustments Lange has had to make in his return to the college ranks.

Former Saint Joseph's Coach Phil Martelli to Michigan | PHILLY SPORTS NETWORK
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens up and that is what has taken place with Phil Martelli.

Former Saint Joe's coach Martelli makes the move to Michigan | elcotimes.com
Phil Martelli is trading his crimson and gray wardrobe for maize and blue.

College Basketball

College Basketball Preseason Top 25: Michigan State Leads Blue Blood Field | Stadium
A senior point guard who could be the National Preseason Player of the Year to go along with a Hall of Fame coach. That’s a good place to start for the No. 1 team in the country. However, it becomes more difficult after that. I went with experience — since it’s been veteran-laden teams who have cut down the nets the last years. Then come Duke and Kentucky — both with their newest frosh.

What might UNC’s turn towards one-and-done players mean for NCAA Tournament results? | Tar Heel Blog
Another likely one-and-done freshman is headed to UNC. What do the numbers say that means for next March?