We continue our recruit and return series with the Villanova Wildcats, whose season ended Saturday with a loss to Wisconsin in the East Region. Here is a look at what the 2017-18 season could hold:
Possible 2017-18 starting five:
C: Omari Spellman (redshirt freshman)
Who is lost: Coach Jay Wright will say goodbye to a senior class that brought a national championship to Villanova -- and helped the Wildcats to four seasons of 29 or more victories. Josh Hart was a National Player of the Year candidate as a senior, steadily improving his individual numbers in each of his four seasons with the Wildcats. He was a top-100 recruit coming out of high school but ended up as one of the most dangerous players in the country. Kris Jenkins will forever be remembered for hitting one of the most memorable shots in college basketball history: his 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat North Carolina in last year's national championship. He was a matchup nightmare for opponents due to his shooting ability. Darryl Reynolds wasn’t as productive as Hart or Jenkins, but he played a key role in his junior and senior seasons, replacing Daniel Ochefu and shooting 70 percent from the field.
Who is added: Villanova doesn’t often have big recruiting classes, but the Wildcats will bring in four fresh faces next season. The highlight is a player who was on campus this season but redshirted, former five-star recruit Spellman. He’s a big body who is very difficult to handle due to his ability to score around the rim and step out and knock down face-up shots. He will give Villanova a legitimate low-post threat. ESPN 100 recruit Jermaine Samuels fits the Villanova mold well, as he likes to take his defender off the dribble and make shots. He can also defend and play in transition. Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, a four-star big man, will rebound and block shots -- and continue to develop his offensive game. Local guard Collin Gillespie will remind some of former Villanova star Ryan Arcidiacono, due to his size and ability to handle the ball as well as his knockdown 3-pointer.
What it means for next season: Despite the personnel losses, Villanova will have a very solid rotation. The newcomers should help up front and with depth, as the Wildcats return most of their perimeter pieces. Brunson should take a step forward on the offensive end next season after shouldering a bigger load as a sophomore. He is confident, developing as a leader and ready to become the go-to guy for the Wildcats. Next to him will be Bridges and DiVincenzo. Bridges might be the best pro prospect in the program in a few years, given his length and versatility. DiVincenzo was a spark off the bench this season, and he brings toughness and scoring. Villanova is also hoping Phil Booth comes back fully healthy after playing in only three regular-season games this season. Former Fordham transfer Paschall should slide into a starting role in the frontcourt.
Trending: Level. Villanova has won at least 29 games in four straight seasons, earning a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in each of those seasons. But the core of those teams is now gone, and it’s time for a new crop of Wildcats to take center stage. There is more than enough talent on the roster, so Villanova will stay among the nation’s best.