Nova Report
The Villanova Wildcats begin season three of Head Coach Kyle Neptune tonight at 8:00 pm on the Villanova campus. The ‘Cats are -20.5/131 over the Lafayette Leopards. The game will be part of the Big East ‘shoot around’ on FS1.
In the past two years, Nova began each year overrated. This year, the Big East pundits have ranked them 7th of 11 in the Big East behind UCONN, Creighton, Xavier, Marquette, Providence and St. John’s. They appear to be underrated this year. UCONN, with its $10 million NIL budget, has the best team money could buy but Nova can be competitive with everyone else. Last year, the ‘Cats couldn’t shoot from three and were typically out rebounded. This year, they have 6’10” Njoku who was injured all last year plus transfer 6’11” Boayke. This allows Dixon to move to his natural position of power forward. They also brought in three shooters who averaged 40% from 3 last year. Most notably, Wooga Poplar who helped Miami to the elite 8 two years ago. If the chemistry works, I can see Nova worst case fourth in the Big East.
Tonight, they take on a Lafayette team who has 4 starters back from a club who ranked 347th in offensive efficiency. They DO have a 7 footer (Vander Baan) and a 6’10” forward (Rubayo). Guard Devin Hines was their leading scorer at 9.8 ppg. They play slow and they utilize their bench thus emphasizing defense.
Eric Dixon is out on a 1 game suspension this evening. So the ‘Cats are without their best player. Boayke will have his hands full on the boards. We’ll see who steps up in Dixon’s place. Hopefully, Poplar shoots well, Longino drives to the hoop and Brickus plays turnover free point guard. It’s a game the ‘Cats should win easily even without Dixon…but they have been notoriously slow starters.
My bet: Going with a 5 point teaser…Lafayette +25.5/Under 136. Neptune has to take this opportunity to see which combination of players works the best. Lafayette will slow things to a crawl and should hold their own on the boards.