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Happy Monday Nova Nation! I’m going to kick off the week by saying something that we don’t often hear on this site. In fact, I can barely even write it, but it needs to be said.
ESPN is 100% right in their latest assessment of Villanova’s recruiting.
Yuck, that even felt wrong. But credit where credit’s due, Jeff Borzello got it 100% correct in his latest article. For those of you who aren’t ESPN+ members, let me summarize.
The article in full is about the recruiting needs for all preseason Top 25 teams, and for Villanova he says they really only NEED the best player available... maybe. The Wildcats don’t have any seniors, and they aren’t desperate at any position. The best thing they can do recruiting wise is reach out to recruits who are perfect fits, and if any of them land on the Main Line it’s all upside for the Wildcats.
Basically... yes. That said, reality is often more complicated than what a quick blurb can summarize. While the Wildcats have no seniors, I’ll be shocked if there isn’t some turnover before the start of 2020-21. First off, Villanova has two potential draft picks in freshmen Bryan Antoine and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Obviously nothing’s guaranteed, but right now it would take an unexpected turn with injury or development for their pure talent to get passed on by the pros.
On top of that, Villanova is a little thin at the guard position. That means they’re pretty stacked at the wing and forward positions. On past Jay Wright teams, that kind of depth has led to transfers. And no, not the kind where a player thinks they’re better than the team. This could easily be a situation where there are just too many mouths to feed and not enough minutes to go around. Again, it’s nearly impossible to predict this unless you live in the Villanova locker room. And even then it’s not a sure thing.
So no, Villanova doesn’t need a recruit in the Class of 2020. But finding the right recruit in the class, or the right recruit to reclassify into 2020 (see Devin Askew), could be key for a title run in 2021.
In other “news”, a look back at what could have been Big East Football, Villanova football is just over a month from kick-off, and what if college basketball had free agency? Enjoy!
Recruiting
NCAA Basketball: 5-star guard Devin Askew on Louisville's radar | Busting Brackets
This edition of the NCAA Basketball DRN will look at the Louisville target Devin Askew among other prospects as well as Kyree Walker's latest news.
Biggest recruiting needs for Way-Too-Early Top 25 schools | ESPN+
With Peach Jam taking center stage in the summer recruiting drama, here's what college hoops' top teams most desire.
Big East
NORTHERN EXPOSURE: College Football In The East Continues To Shrink | TMG Maven
One move that WASN’T made changed the landscape of college football and basketball
ESPY winner Jim Calhoun talks coaching, Big East and more | ESPN
Legendary coach Jim Calhoun reflects on building a program, Kemba Walker and the ESPYS.
NBA Summer League
Get to know Warriors’ eight newcomers, three of whom could start immediately | SFChronicle.com
The Golden State Warriors have eight new players — seven of whom are no older than 25 — with training camp about two months away.
Can The Golden State Warriors Youth Movement Realize Their Potential? | Forbes
The Golden State Warriors have a more intriguing set of young players than they have done for several years. Can they develop them into NBA players?
Cleveland Cavaliers end Vegas Summer League with 98-96 OT win over Kings | cleveland.com
Malik Newman, who played last season for the Canton Charge in the G League, scored 33 points and led the team in the extra period for the victory in the Cavaliers' final summer contest.
NBA Wildcats
Hardwood homecoming: Jalen Brunson to host basketball camp at Stevenson | Chicago Tribune
Jalen Brunson will return to Lincolnshire for the season year in a row to host a basketball camp.
New Warrior Omari Spellman is in a battle many Americans face | Warriors Wire
During his first NBA season, Omari Spellman gained 40 pounds in six months. To have a successful run with the Warriors, he must lose weight.
Ryan Arcidiacono Hustled His Way to His New Deal | Chicago Bulls
Ryan Arcidiacono's journey to the NBA has been about taking advantage of every opportunity that's been given to him, and making sure that the Bulls knew that they would be a better team with him than without him.
Why the Toronto Raptors should do everything they can to trade Kyle Lowry | Clutch Points
The 2018-19 NBA season was a story of redemption for Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, though it hardly started out that way.
Steph Curry-Kyle Lowry rematch is on the grass | Carson City Nevada News | Carson Now
Kyle Lowry and Stephen Curry are facing off again. This time, it’s on the golf course at the American Century Championship. Lowry and the Toronto Raptors took down Curry and the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on June 13.
Villanova Football
Pennsylvania Recruiting Notebook: Coatesville’s Bryant, Ortega staying home, keep an eye on Carter | pennlive.com
Coatesville High fans will be happy to know that two of their best — rising seniors, quarterback Ricky Ortega and receiver Dapree Bryant — plan on suiting up for Villanova.
2019 FCS Kickoff Countdown: 41 Days, The Best Player Who Wears No. 41 Is Nova's Christian Benford | HERO Sports
HERO Sports is going to count down each day by highlighting the best player in the FCS who wears the jersey number equal to the number of days until kickoff.
Villanova Adjacent
Poor Clare marks silver jubilee; she traded in hoops for life of prayer | Crux Now
Poor Clare Sister Rose Marie of the Queen of Angels started off as a basketball star.
College Basketball
Matt Tait: What if college basketball followed the NBA's free agency model? | KUsports.com
Imagine a world in which KU big man Udoka Azubuike left for North Carolina, Devon Dotson jumped ship to Texas and Michigan State point guard Cassius Winston wound up at Villanova for his senior season.