Villanova Basketball 2021-22 player preview: Justin Moore

Justin Moore

Height: 6-4
Weight: 210
Hometown: Fort Washington, Md.
High School: DeMatha

Justin Moore player preview

After a promising freshman debut, Moore stepped it up as a sophomore last season. He elevated his game all-around, becoming more than just a scorer and improving as a playmaker and defender.

There was no sophomore slump, and as he prepares for his third season on the Main Line, it’s exciting to see how he continues to grow and evolve as a player. Although he might have to be the Robin to Collin Gillespie’s Batman in the backcourt, once again, he should still be able to shine on the floor.

Moore is the second-highest returning scorer for the ‘Cats. He averaged 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He shot an improved 44.1% overall, but took a step down at the three-point line, where he shot 31.0% after hitting nearly 40% from deep as a freshman.

His best performances last season came against Creighton, where he was thorn in the Bluejays’ side. He had a team-high 21 points in the road loss to Creighton, but helped Villanova get revenge in the Senior Night win, after Gillespie went down, netting 24 points on an efficient 9-for-12 shooting clip.

He did have an injury scare in the regular season finale against Providence, which limited him a bit for the Wildcats’ brief stay at the Big East Tournament, but he came back strong to end the season in Villanova’s NCAA Tournament run to the Sweet 16.

In addition to improving as a player skill-wise on the court, he’s embracing and filling in a leadership role with the team, alongside Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels.

“I learned a lot from them, with them being fifth-years, they got a lot of experience,” Moore told VU Hoops and the State of the Nova Nation’s Emma Houghton at Big East Media Day. “Me, just helping the young guys and being more of a vocal leader, I think that’s something I’ve really focused on. Also, just going at each other at practice, holding myself accountable and holding others accountable too.”

It seems like the conference is also expecting more from him. Although he didn’t land on any of the All-Big East teams last year, not even earning an honorable mention, he was tabbed a preseason second-team All-Big East selection for the 2021-22 season.

As solid as Moore was last season, there was further room for improvement, particularly on the defensive end. He’s been working on that area of his game, and it’ll put him in good position to live up to those expectations or even exceed them.

“Besides being a vocal leader, just working on explosiveness on both sides of the ball,” Moore said. “Making more plays defensively on and off the ball, and being more versatile and physical. Just making more plays for my teammates and myself, that’s something I’ve been working on.”

Best Case Scenario: Moore plays at a level where he’s even in the first-team All-Big East conversation. He remains a skilled scorer, while improving his three-point efficiency, and continues to grow as a playmaker. His offseason work on improving himself on the defensive end pays off, and he becomes a true two-way guard and threat on the court.

Worst Case Scenario: It’s hard to picture Moore regressing, so the worst case scenario is that he stagnates. Instead of taking a leap forward, he remains the same, which isn’t terrible, considering he’s been a productive player on the court since he first arrived, but not ideal.