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Villanova Wildcats Sports, News, & Information
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Villanova secures needed bounce back win vs. Holy Cross in home opener
After a season‑opening loss to Notre Dame, Villanova rebounded with a dominant 95‑66 home win over Holy Cross at the Finneran Pavilion. Five Wildcats scored in double figures while the team shot 51% and knocked down 10 three‑pointers. Frontcourt duo Devin Royal (22 points) and Luigi Suigo (16 points, 15 rebounds) led the effort in the absence of injured Kwame Evans Jr. Bench scorer Adam Oumiddoch added 17 points, and Jake Fiegen sparked with 15 points on 5‑for‑6 from beyond the arc. The victory restores confidence as the Wildcats prepare for a Tuesday game against La Salle.
Villanova Wildcats (0-1) vs Holy Cross Crusaders (0-1): Game Chat
Villanova opens its home season Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 PM EST against Holy Cross in the Finneran Pavilion. The Wildcats enter as 31.5-point favorites, with KenPom ranking them 38th nationally versus Holy Cross’s 362nd spot. Fans can stream the game on ESPN+ or tune into the Villanova Sports Radio Network. The matchup follows a recent exhibition in Rome, where Adam Oumiddoch reacted to a Villanova‑Notre Dame tip‑off. Tickets and updates are shared via the team’s official Twitter feed.
Villanova vs Holy Cross: Game Preview
Villanova (0-1) hosts Holy Cross (0-1) Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 PM EST in the Finneran Pavilion. Both programs seek their first win after opening losses—Villanova struggled with 20 turnovers, while Holy Cross fell 103‑59 at Rhode Island. Coach Kevin Willard must decide whether to start Evans Jr. and settle the point‑guard spot between Elijah Crawford and Darryl Simmons II, while backup center Nico Onyekwere returns. Holy Cross, led by juniors Chuck Hare (10 points) and transfer Kole Hanson (11 points), also deals with injuries to senior scorers Joe Nugent and Declan Ryan. The game streams on ESPN+ and airs on the Villanova Sports Radio Network. KenPom ranks Villanova 38th and Holy Cross 362nd among 365 Division I teams.
How former Villanova transfers fared in their debuts with new teams
Former Villanova transfers made varied first impressions this week. Acaden Lewis poured a game‑high 24 points for Miami in a 77‑67 loss to top‑ranked Florida, though his playmaking slipped to just one assist. Bryce Lindsay contributed 14 points off the bench as Indiana routed Eastern Illinois 91‑57, hitting three threes. Duke Brennan posted nine points, four rebounds and a block for Oklahoma in a narrow 68‑64 defeat to East Texas A&M, but turned the ball three times. Malachi Palmer was silent for Minnesota in an 85‑50 win over North Dakota, scoring zero in 12 minutes. The article tracks how these ex‑Wildcats adjust as the season progresses.
Are You Concerned About Luigi Suigo? Don’t Be
Freshman 7‑foot‑3 Luigi Suigo scored seven points with five rebounds in Villanova’s 78‑76 exhibition loss to Notre Dame in Rome. Critics worry he struggled, shooting 3‑for‑6 and hitting foul trouble, highlighting conditioning issues and limited minutes. Yet Suigo showed range with a three‑pointer and defensive potential, offering size the Wildcats haven’t had before. With front‑court depth improving once Matt Hodge returns and Big East play looming, the early jitters are framed as a normal adjustment period for a potential NBA lottery pick. The ceiling remains high for both Suigo and Villanova.
Villanova has 20 reasons to feel better about its season-opening loss
Villanova opens the 2026‑27 season with a 74‑72 loss to Notre Dame at the Rome Eternal City Tip‑Off, squandering a 10‑point second‑half lead. The Wildcats committed 20 turnovers (15 in the first half) and gave up 17 offensive rebounds, gifting the Irish extra chances. Yet they shot 46.2% from the field versus Notre Dame’s 35.4%, led the game 83% of the time and cut turnovers to five in the second half, showing quick adjustments. Coach Kevin Willard’s mostly new roster has clear issues to fix, but the underlying performance offers optimism ahead of the home opener vs. Holy Cross.
An individual look at how each player fared in the Eternal City Tip-Off
Villanova opens the 2026-27 season with a 74-72 upset loss to Notre Dame in Rome, sparking a player-by-player breakdown. Without Matt Hodge, Coach Kevin Willard deployed an eight‑man rotation. Darryl Simmons II struggled, scoring just five points on 2‑of‑7 shooting, while Jake Fiegen shined with 11 points, five rebounds, a chase‑down block and zero turnovers. Tyler Perkins posted 18 efficient points but fouled out and shot poorly from the line. Devin Royal, a former exhibition star, managed only one field‑goal attempt, three turnovers and eight rebounds. The analysis highlights both bright spots and glaring deficiencies as the Wildcats head into their next game.
Villanova Looked Brand New In Season Opener: How Long Will It Take To Work?
In the season‑opening loss to Notre Dame in Rome, Villanova’s brand‑new roster faltered despite being a preseason Big East top‑three pick. The Wildcats led most of the game but committed 20 turnovers—15 in the first half—and missed 20 three‑pointers, allowing Notre Dame 20 points off the miscues. On the bright side, Jake Fiegen added 11 points, Tyler Perkins poured in 18, and Kwame Evans recorded seven rebounds in his debut. Villanova shot 13‑of‑18 from the line and now faces a three‑game stretch against Holy Cross, La Salle and Rider to tighten up play before conference action begins.
Villanova falls in Rome against Notre Dame
Villanova opens its season with a 74-72 defeat to Notre Dame in the Eternal City Tip‑Off in Rome. The Wildcats committed 20 turnovers—15 in the first half—and missed key free throws, allowing a late Elijah Crawford mid‑range pull‑up to seal the win for the Fighting Irish. Despite shooting 35.4%, Notre Dame capitalized on nine offensive rebounds and a clutch free‑throw stretch. Villanova’s Jake Fiegen contributed 11 points and five rebounds, while Adam Oumiddoch added a quick seven‑point burst, but overall the performance was described as sloppy, especially for a team projected near the bottom of the ACC. The Wildcats look to rebound against Holy Cross on Friday.
Villanova Wildcats vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Game Chat
Where: Palazzo dello Sport (Rome, Italy) When: Sunday, November 1 at 9:30 AM EST Betting Line: TBD How to Watch: FOX How to Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network KenPom: Villanova 32, Notre Dame 83 Torvik: Villanova 30, Notre Dame 81 Evan Miya: Villanova 30, Notre Dame 83
Join us for the 2026-27 Villanova basketball season on the SB Nation app
The Villanova Hoops blog promotes the new SB Nation app, now available for iOS and Android in North America, with global rollout underway. Launched two months ago, the app centralizes community posts, articles, and a real‑time game chat that lets fans comment on every play during college basketball games. Early adopters have set single‑day commenting records, and the platform promises faster loading, instant notifications, and ad‑free reading options. Whether you prefer browsing the front‑page articles or diving into live game discussions, the app aims to enhance the college hoops fan experience for the 2026‑27 season.
Villanova vs Notre Dame: Game Preview
The season‑opening showdown between Villanova (0‑0) and Notre Dame (0‑0) kicks off Sunday, Nov. 1 at 9:30 AM EST in Rome’s Palazzo dello Sport. Villanova enters as a 7.5‑point favorite, bolstered by Devin Royal’s 22 ppg and Tyler Perkins’ 19.3 ppg in three exhibitions, though key players Kwame Evans Jr. and Matt Hodge remain sidelined. Notre Dame, coached by Micah Shrewsberry in his fourth year, struggles with a 41‑56 record and a 16th‑place ACC projection. Ethan Roberts (11 points vs. Dayton) and senior center Logan Duncomb may lead a squad that posted a 75‑65 loss to Dayton and a 71‑63 win over DePaul in exhibition play. Both teams aim to start strong at the Eternal City Tip‑Off, televised on FOX.
Villanova Arrives In Rome Ahead Of College Basketball Season Opener
Villanova Wildcats land in Rome to kick off the 2026‑27 college basketball season, opening Sunday at 9:30 a.m. against Notre Dame. Coach Kevin Willard leads the squad on a pre‑game tour that includes a stop at the Spanish Steps and a drive past the Colosseum, while noting Pope Leo XIV—Villanova’s famed 1977 math graduate—will host a private audience for 7,000 visitors on Saturday. Newcomer Luigi Suigo makes his debut in a Wildcats jersey on the historic city’s streets.
Around the Big East: Villanova Wildcats
Villanova wraps its 2025‑26 campaign at 24‑9 (15‑5 Big East), finishing third in the league but falling to Georgetown in the conference quarters and Utah State in the NCAA first round. Coach Kevin Willard returns for a second year after a roster overhaul that adds size and experience, including transfers Kwame Evans Jr., Devin Royal, Jake Fiegen, Elijah Crawford and Darryl “Buddy” Simmons II, plus 7‑foot‑3 freshman Luigi Suigo. Returning leader Tyler Perkins (13.7 PPG) and recovering Matt Hodge boost the frontcourt, while the point‑guard spot remains the biggest question. Preseason polls rank the Wildcats third in the Big East, and analysts see them as contenders alongside Connecticut, St. John’s, Marquette and Xavier.
Kevin Willard Fires Multiple Shots During Press Conference Regarding Big 5 Departure
After a 93-71 preseason loss to Virginia, Villanova coach Kevin Willard blasted the Philadelphia Inquirer and clarified that the Wildcats did not pull the plug on the Big 5. He insisted the decision was driven by the other five schools, calling the current format “stupid” and emphasizing his goal to keep the triple‑header at Xfinity Mobile Arena and its pre‑game banquet alive. Willard argued Villanova wants continuity, citing low attendance at La Salle (500) versus higher draws for Penn‑St. Joe’s (2,000), and accused the Inquirer of poor reporting. He also hinted at future series with Temple and a home‑and‑home with Fran McCaffery, while rejecting low‑attendance road games.
Villanova Is Leaving Philadelphia’s Big 5 Following 2026-27 Season
Villanova announces it will exit the historic Philadelphia Big 5 after the 2026‑27 season, joining the round‑robin schedule of Penn, La Salle, Temple, St. Joseph’s and Drexel beginning in 2027‑28. The Wildcats cited scheduling concerns—specifically avoiding mandatory road games—as the break‑down point in negotiations. Villanova capped last year’s campaign by clinching its 30th Big 5 title with a 90‑63 victory over Penn, the first season under a format that featured home‑and‑away games plus a triple‑header at XFinity Mobile Arena. The decision ends a tradition that started in 1955.
Player Preview: Devin Royal
Villanova head coach Kevin Willard targets Ohio State forward Devin Royal in the transfer portal, and Royal has already dazzled in his first two Wildcats exhibitions. The 6‑foot‑6 senior poured in 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists against Rutgers, then followed with 25 points and eight boards versus George Mason, averaging 22.5 points and nine rebounds. Last season at Ohio State he logged 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and shot 77.4% from the line. Royal’s blend of mid‑range scoring, rebounding and toughness gives Willard flexibility at the four and three spots, making him a key piece for Villanova’s 2026‑27 Big East campaign.
Player Preview: The 2026-27 Bench Mob
Villanova’s final three roster spots illustrate how the bench has evolved from walk‑ons to scholarship players from lower‑tier schools. Veteran graduate forward Wade Chiddick returns for a third year after modest minutes and three points in his first two seasons. Former Towson big man Abdou Samb, a 6‑8 redshirt senior with experience at Rhode Island, IU‑Indianapolis and Towson, provides size in a pinch despite a recent leg injury. Guard Brady Muller, a Bucknell alumnus from a Wildcats family, saw limited action at Bucknell and logged just one minute in his Villanova debut. With injuries to Kwame Evans Jr. and Matt Hodge, the trio is expected to see court time mainly in decided games, contributing in practice and offering depth when needed.
Villanova goes unranked in first AP Poll
Villanova drops out of the AP Top‑25 for the first poll of the season, earning only six votes that place the Wildcats around 38th nationally. Only two Big East programs—UConn (4th) and St. John’s (13th)—make the top 25, with Marquette picking up three votes. Despite the snub, the Wildcats boast talent above schools like VCU and Saint Louis, and they aim to prove themselves in an exhibition against No. 9 Virginia on Thursday at the Finneran Pavilion.
Villanova takes down George Mason by 17 in exhibition
In the second of three tune-ups for Rome, the Wildcats defeated the Patriots 84-67 at the Finneran Pavilion on Saturday afternoon. The game was not televised (get it together), but those in attendance got to witness Devin Royal on the home floor for the first time. The former Ohio State Buckeye once again led the […]
Kevin Willard Passing On Recruiting High School Players: Is It The Right Move?
It is a new era of college basketball with the transfer portal and NIL becoming king. This means coaches have to think differently as well, especially with the NCAA bringing in the new fifth-year rule. Villanova’s Kevin Willard has done this and that includes passing on recruiting high school players this year in hopes of […]
Former Villanova standout Cam Whitmore is turning heads with Nuggets
Former Villanova standout Cam Whitmore might finally be catching a break in the NBA, and he’s making the most of it. After bouncing from Houston to Washington, briefly landing in Cleveland for all of two minutes, and ultimately signing a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets in September, the 22-year-old is starting to look like […]
Player Preview: Luigi Suigo
Villanova was connected to Luigi Suigo during the offseason for what felt like a year. It was a stressful time for all those involved, but that wait became worthwhile on June 13 when the 7’3” Italian withdrew from the NBA Draft and committed to the Wildcats. At the time, the only true center on the […]
Player Preview: Jake Fiegen
Kwame Evans Jr. and Devin Royal were the top two names in the rumor mill once the transfer portal opened, but the first player that Villanova met with was Cornell’s Jake Fiegen. The competition for the 6’4” senior was stiff, with the other reported teams involved being Vanderbilt, Northwestern and Virginia. Being a three-year player […]
Villanova at Rutgers: Exhibition Thread
Viewing note: B1G+ will cost $8.99 for the game pass, if you would like to watch the game.
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