Villanova Roster Overhaul Under Kevin Willard Targets Deep March Run
Villanova enters the upcoming season looking to build on a 24-9 campaign under coach Kevin Willard, who steered the program back to the NCAA Tournament after a three-year absence. The Wildcats underwent a massive roster revamp during the offseason, losing 10 of their top 11 scorers and four starters from a lineup that dropped its final two games in the Big East Tournament and the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against Utah State.
Luigi Suigo Headlines Newcomers for the Wildcats
The program pins high hopes on 7-foot-3 Italian center Luigi Suigo, a 19-year-old projected lottery pick who played last season for Mega Basket in Serbia’s Adriatic League, where he averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 26 games. Alongside Suigo, guard Tyler Perkins returns after earning Big East most improved player honors and a spot on the Jerry West Award watchlist. Perkins started all 33 games last season, averaging 13.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. Villanova also added key transfers including Ohio State senior Devin Royal, Cornell graduate transfer Jake Fiegen, and Illinois-Chicago junior Elijah Crawford.
Rome Doubleheader Opens Season and Pairs With Vatican Audience
Villanova and Notre Dame tip off the college basketball season Sunday in Rome with a men’s and women’s doubleheader known as the Eternal City Tip-Off. An exclusive Vatican event is included in the itinerary, as Pope Leo XIV, a former Villanova student, plans to grant an audience to the roster and accompanying supporters. Following the overseas opener, the Wildcats face Michigan on Nov. 21 at the city’s NBA arena where the 76ers play, before traveling to Kansas for a Black Friday matchup against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse. The program also announced it is exiting the city series after this season’s final Big 5 Class games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Villanova lose from last season’s roster?
The Wildcats lost 10 of their top 11 scorers and nearly 5,000 minutes of playing time, with roster exits that featured Duke Brennan, Bryce Lindsay, Acaden Lewis, Devin Askew, Malachi Palmer, Chris Jeffrey, Tafara Gapare, Zion Stanford, Braden Pierce, and Malcolm Flaggs.
When did Villanova last win an NCAA Tournament game?
The Wildcats have not won an NCAA Tournament game since coach Jay Wright led the program to the 2022 Final Four.
Where is the Villanova-Michigan game scheduled to be played?
Villanova will host Michigan on Nov. 21 at the city’s NBA arena where the 76ers play.
Villanova’s Kevin Willard Press Conference – October 22, 2026Hear @NovaMBB’s Head Coach Kevin Willard talk about Villanova’s loss in their exhibition game vs Virginia as well as Villanova’s departure from the Big Five.🎥: @the_NBAgell TUNE IN! ⬇️https://t.co/kK0hVGvv8H
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