via John Naso of NovaIllustrated.com
How does Villanova approach things offensively this season? Are things still largely predicated on 3 pt shooting/spacing?
Defensively are the Wildcats still a man team that really helps weakside?
Yep, Villanova remains almost exclusively a man-to-man team. They'll use the 1-2-2 press when they want to change the pace or turn up the pressure but will settle into man again if the press is broken.
What do you attribute Villanova's staying power at the top of college ball to?
I think Villanova's ability to climb to the top of college basketball and stay there is mostly predicated on Jay Wright finding his groove in recruiting. He gets good players, but he gets players who buy into what the program wants to do and what the culture is. That's done wonders for player development and continuity in the program, which have been huge factors in the recent success.
Who do you expect to emerge offensively now that Bey is a Detroit Piston?
So Gillespie is the popular answer here, and his importance to this team is clear. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is another popular choice, and he's been fantastic through five games. Tulane transfer Caleb Daniels has fit in seamlessly as well and contributed at both ends of the floor. But my answer would be Justin Moore. I think people outside of the Big East might not realize how good a season Moore had last year and may not understand how the context of doing it as a freshman at Villanova makes it more impressive. I think Moore is due for a breakout season, and we've already seen a bit of that this year as he's been in double figures in four of five games, including 19 against Texas last Sunday.
Does this group of 'Nova guys get more fastbreaks than usual?
This Villanova group doesn't run any more than other recent teams. They haven't generated a ton of steals this season, so that's probably a factor, and I think based on the early opponents, controlling the pace was something they looked to do. They'll run if an opportunity presents itself, but it's not something they'll look to force.
Where would you rank Collin Gillespie in the pantheon of Nova guards?
That's a great question. I think a lot of it depends on how this year goes because if he were to get a championship or a Final Four it would change things a bit. As of now, I would probably have him below guys like Ryan Arcidiacono and Jalen Brunson that have won titles, Scottie Reynolds who scored 2,000 points at Nova and went to a Final Four, and Kyle Lowry, who's talent and long and decorated NBA career sets him apart a bit in Villanova lore. But where Gillespie was as a senior in high school to where he is now is impressive, his importance to this Villanova team can't be overstated, and I think when his time at Nova is done, he'll be viewed as the guy who carried the Nova guard tradition after Arcidiacono and Brunson and who was instrumental in the continuation of what Villanova has been doing.
How does Villanova approach things offensively this season? Are things still largely predicated on 3 pt shooting/spacing?
Defensively are the Wildcats still a man team that really helps weakside?
Yep, Villanova remains almost exclusively a man-to-man team. They'll use the 1-2-2 press when they want to change the pace or turn up the pressure but will settle into man again if the press is broken.
What do you attribute Villanova's staying power at the top of college ball to?
I think Villanova's ability to climb to the top of college basketball and stay there is mostly predicated on Jay Wright finding his groove in recruiting. He gets good players, but he gets players who buy into what the program wants to do and what the culture is. That's done wonders for player development and continuity in the program, which have been huge factors in the recent success.
Who do you expect to emerge offensively now that Bey is a Detroit Piston?
So Gillespie is the popular answer here, and his importance to this team is clear. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is another popular choice, and he's been fantastic through five games. Tulane transfer Caleb Daniels has fit in seamlessly as well and contributed at both ends of the floor. But my answer would be Justin Moore. I think people outside of the Big East might not realize how good a season Moore had last year and may not understand how the context of doing it as a freshman at Villanova makes it more impressive. I think Moore is due for a breakout season, and we've already seen a bit of that this year as he's been in double figures in four of five games, including 19 against Texas last Sunday.
Does this group of 'Nova guys get more fastbreaks than usual?
This Villanova group doesn't run any more than other recent teams. They haven't generated a ton of steals this season, so that's probably a factor, and I think based on the early opponents, controlling the pace was something they looked to do. They'll run if an opportunity presents itself, but it's not something they'll look to force.
Where would you rank Collin Gillespie in the pantheon of Nova guards?
That's a great question. I think a lot of it depends on how this year goes because if he were to get a championship or a Final Four it would change things a bit. As of now, I would probably have him below guys like Ryan Arcidiacono and Jalen Brunson that have won titles, Scottie Reynolds who scored 2,000 points at Nova and went to a Final Four, and Kyle Lowry, who's talent and long and decorated NBA career sets him apart a bit in Villanova lore. But where Gillespie was as a senior in high school to where he is now is impressive, his importance to this Villanova team can't be overstated, and I think when his time at Nova is done, he'll be viewed as the guy who carried the Nova guard tradition after Arcidiacono and Brunson and who was instrumental in the continuation of what Villanova has been doing.