Which Villanova Basketball team was better: 2019 vs 2020

Happy Wednesday Nova Nation! The Big East Tournament kicks off tonight, and we’ll find out who the Villanova Wildcats will be playing tomorrow night when #7 Xavier takes on #10 DePaul. But while we’re waiting to find out who the WIldcats will play, let’s ask what would happen if they took on a different opponent. How about, the 2019 Villanova Wildcats.

Bot this year’s team and last year’s team won Big East titles, and while we have yet to see this younger team in the post season, they’re capable of matching if not exceeding last year’s performances. So let’s go position by position and see who would win.

PG: 2019 Phil Booth vs 2020 Collin Gillespie

Gillespie has made amazing strides this season. Despite being the most accomplished player returning from last season, he has a strong argument for this year’s most improved award. But there’s only one Phil Booth, and 2019 was the year he really showed how he could put a team on his back. You could even argue that we don’t get 2020 Gillespie without the tutelage of 2019 Booth, along with the other Nova point guards that came before him. This would be a really fun matchup to watch, but I think the edge has to go to Booth.

SG: 2019 Collin Gillespie vs 2020 Justin Moore

Speaking of fascinating matchups, this one would be great too. Moore’s defense has really improved throughout the year, and he’s always been able to put the ball through the hoop. On the other end, last year’s Gillespie was a much better facilitator than Moore is while still being a skilled scorer. At the end of the day, this could be a tie. Moore is clearly the more athletic player, but no one outworks Gillespie. Again, I want to see this!

SF: 2019 Saddiq Bey vs 2020 Jermaine Samuels

Seriously, someone build a time machine because I love all of these matchups. Two players that made their way into the starting lineup based on their defense, and then came through with clutch offensive performances. Who wouldn’t want to see either of these guys with the ball in their hand with the game on the line being covered by the other.

PF: 2019 Eric Paschall vs 2020 Saddiq Bey

Two about to be NBA Draft picks going head to head and blow for blow? Yes please! I’ll give the advantage to Paschall because of his experience, but this one would just be an epic battle.

C: 2019 Jermaine Samuels vs 2020 Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

This is an interesting one. Samuels had more trouble bodying up against some of the Big East’s big boys last year, but Robinson-Earl doesn’t have that issue. He’d also do well guarding Jeremiah’s finesse game and have the speed and strength to stay with him on the perimeter and on the open court. By the way, this is all equally true of the Robinson-Earl guarding Samuels. Would these two shut each other down, or would one find a way to score on the other?

Bench: 2019 Joe Cremo plus 2019 AND 2020 Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Cole Swider, and Brandon Slater

It’s weird to say, but Nova has basically had the same bench for the past two seasons. Yes, Cosby-Roundtree and Swider both have gotten stints as starters, but at this time last year and now they’re squarely on the bench. Cremo was hot and cold off the bench last season, but he also provided much needed experience off the bench. I’d give the edge to this year’s crew because of experience and injury, but this is probably close to a wash.

As always, I leave it to you Nova Nation. Who would win a matchup between the 2019 and 2020 Villanova Wildcats?

Villanova Men’s Basketball

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Big East Tournament

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Big 5

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NBA Wildcats

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Villanova Athletics

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Bracketology

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East Tennessee State and Gonzaga both took care of business, while Saint Mary’s almost assuredly locked up a bid.

College Basketball

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