Nova Season Review In Review...So Far

The Finneran Pavilion in Villanova awaits the return of the basketball season on January 19th. It is currently being used as a COVID-19 testing site for Villanova students, faculty, and staff. (Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography).

On December 27th, Wright tested positive for the coronavirus that initially put the program on pause from all basketball activities. He was able to update his status as well.

Article by Dave Nguyen, AKSM Sports

VILLANOVA, PA - Before 2020 ended, Villanova won its last game against Marquette before Christmas led by Collin Gillespie's 22 points, as the Wildcats cruised to an 85-68 win over Marquette.

On January 4th of the new year, the Wildcats suspended all basketball activities due to COVID-19 issues with members of the program. As a result, Villanova's games at DePaul, re-match with Marquette, at Xavier, and at UCONN have been postponed. While the calendar has shifted to 2021, COVID is still an important concern for the sake of everyone's safety.

Head Coach Jay Wright had the following to say last week.

"We are obviously going through a tough time right now in our program. We had quarantined for 10 days with nine consecutive days of negative tests for all players. On the 11th day of our quarantine we practiced together, for the first time (Sunday January 3rd). We test every day before practice. So, today we were getting ready to practice and head to DePaul this afternoon, and we learned we had two positive tests from players. That immediately shuts us down and puts us into a 10-day quarantine at least. That's what we know exactly at this time. We're in that mode of trying to figure that out."

On December 27th, Wright tested positive for the coronavirus that initially put the program on pause from all basketball activities. He was able to update his status as well.

"I feel great. I am ready to come out of quarantine tomorrow. I tested positive on Dec. 26. It had nothing to do with the players - it was me. Because I tested positive on the 26th, we went back to the 23rd, which was the last time we were all together at Marquette. We weren't together on the 24th or 25th, even when the players met with their families. The players went into quarantine while I was in isolation. We had them in a hotel in individual rooms from the 26th to Jan. 2. They were isolated. No players did anything wrong. A couple of staff members tested positive on the 26th and 27th but they weren't with the players. The virus can show itself within 14 days so that' is something we are looking at."

So far this season, Villanova has played well. The Wildcats are ranked third in both the AP and Coaches polls, the same place it was when the season started. Its only loss was to Virginia Tech in the bubble after winning the 2K Empire Classic over Arizona State. As expected, senior guard Collin Gillespie has embraced his leadership role to the fullest, setting an example on and off the court. On the hardwood he is averaging just above 15 points, (2nd on the team), along with four assists and three rebounds per game. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has played consistently as well, and it can be argued that he is the MVP of the team so far. He leads the Wildcats in scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounds, and field goal percentage. He has scored double digit points in all but two games, and has had two games of 20+ points, including 25 in the "Holy War" against Saint Joe's on December 19th. With the production that Gillespie and Robinson-Earl have had so far this season, their play was recognized nationally as both players were named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list.

Along with the play of Robinson-Earl and Gillespie, two other Wildcats are averaging double-digits in points per game as well. Justin Moore is having an excellent sophomore campaign, averaging 13 points and five boards per contest, while shooting just over 45% from the floor and 32% from beyond the arc. The DeMatha product has scored double digit points in all but two games, but has come up clutch at times this season, including his 19-point effort on the road against Texas in a Top 25 victory in December. Junior guard Caleb Daniels is finding his footing in Jay Wright's system as well, making an immediate impact in the first three games this season scoring 14, 14, and 17 points respectively and shooting 50% or better from the field. The transfer from Tulane is benefitting from the guard-oriented offense that Villanova plays, shooting an even 50% from the floor and just under 44% from beyond the arc, which are third best on the team.

The Wildcats are scheduled to play its first game of 2021 against Seton Hall on January 19th at home. If everything goes well, it will be the first time the Wildcats have played a game in nearly four-weeks. Tip off is set for 9pm on Fox Sports 1.