NBA Wildcat Watch (Jan. 2-5)

From Tuesday through Friday, each time a former Wildcat hits the court, we will recap how they did and include a few highlights (if available). On Tuesdays, we’ll also recap what happened over the weekend, so you don’t miss the action. This will also serve as a discussion board. We will try to keep it updated as soon as the games are over, so check back often!

It’s a pretty light Tuesday slate for the NBA Wildcats, but it was a busy last few days. Ryan Arcidiacono missed the last few games for health and safety protocols after a teammate tested positive for COVID-19. If he plays tonight, check back later to see how he did. Otherwise, here’s an update on all nine alumni and see who’s on deck for Wednesday.

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Ryan Arcidiacono

Arcidiacono didn’t play in Chicago’s 118-108 win over Dallas on Sunday.

He has also been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, which is supposed to tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Up Next: at Sacramento on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 10 p.m. ET

Saddiq Bey

On Sunday, Bey played for 22 minutes off the bench in a close loss to the Boston Celtics, 122-120. He had six points (2-of-6 overall, 2-for-3 from long range), three boards, two assists, and a steal.

Bey was moved to the starting five in the Pistons’ 125-115 loss to Milwaukee on Monday night. He had nine points (3-of-8 shooting) and three rebounds through 31 minutes of action.

Up Next: at Milwaukee on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. ET

Mikal Bridges

The Suns lost a close one to the Clippers, 112-107, on Sunday. They were originally trailing by as high as 31 points, until they rallied hard to make it a close game in the second half. Bridges had seven points (1-of-7 shooting), eight boards, two assists, and a pair of blocks. His greatest contribution was unsurprisingly on the defensive end, where he helped clamp down on Kawhi Leonard, who had 15 points but shot an ugly 4-for-21 on the floor.

Up Next: vs. Toronto on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 9 p.m. ET

Jalen Brunson

With Luka Doncic out for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bulls, Brunson was inserted into the starting lineup and he made the most of his time during Dallas’ 118-108 loss to Chicago. Brunson was lights out, scoring a team-high 31 points on 11-of-17 shooting, with five boards, seven assists, and a steal.

Doncic returned on Monday and Brunson was shifted back to the bench. Brunson finished with six points and four assists in the Mavericks’ 113-100 win over the Houston Rockets.

Up Next: at Denver on Thursday, Jan. 7, at 10 p.m. ET

Donte DiVincenzo

Although it was a quiet scoring night for DiVincenzo, who had just five points in the Bucks’ 125-115 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, he showed off his playmaking ability. DiVincenzo also had five boards, nine assists, two steals and a block in the win.

Up Next: vs. Detroit on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. ET

Josh Hart

Hart came off the bench and had nine points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a block through 26 minutes during the Pelicans’ 120-116 win over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.

New Orleans lost a tough one in overtime, 118-116, to the Indiana Pacers. Hart had three points, 10 boards, and three assists in Monday’s loss.

Up Next: vs. Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. ET

Kyle Lowry

It wasn’t a great shooting night for Lowry on Saturday, but he contributed in other areas of the game during Toronto’s 120-116 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. He finished with 16 points (4-of-14 shooting, 3-of-11 from three-point range), six boards, and eight assists.

The Raptors lost to the Boston Celtics, 126-114, on Monday. Lowry had 18 points, five boards, five assists, and a pair of steals.

Up Next: at Phoenix on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 9 p.m. ET

Eric Paschall

The Warriors won 137-122 over the Portland Trail Blazers in a game that’s highlighted by a 62-point performance from Stephen Curry, but Paschall provided some nice minutes off the bench. He had 10 points (5-of-6 shooting), with three boards and one assist through 17 minutes.

Golden State beat Sacramento in one-sided fashion on Monday night, winning 137-106. Paschall had 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting, with seven rebounds and three assists off the bench.

Up Next: vs. Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Omari Spellman

Spellman continued to be out with a sore right knee while the Knicks beat Indiana, 106-102 on Saturday and won against Atlanta, 113-108, on Monday.

Up Next: vs. Utah on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. ET

Wednesday’s Slate

Eight of the nine Villanova alumni are playing in a jampacked NBA slate on Wednesday night.

• Ryan Arcidiacono: at Sacramento on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 10 p.m. ET
• Saddiq Bey: at Milwaukee on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. ET
• Mikal Bridges: vs. Toronto on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 9 p.m. ET
• Donte DiVincenzo: vs. Detroit on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. ET
• Josh Hart: vs. Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. ET
• Kyle Lowry: at Phoenix on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 9 p.m. ET
• Eric Paschall: vs. Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Omari Spellman: vs. Utah on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. ET