Villanova players huddle up before Monday's practice at Finneran Pavilion. (Photo: Aaron Bracy)
By AARON BRACY
July 27, 2026
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VILLANOVA, Pa. – With three national championships, Villanova has the pedigree to attract some of the best college basketball players in the country. But the NBA title by New York Knicks and Villanova alums Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, and Josh Hart has helped even more, coach Kevin Willard said.
“It’s everything,” Willard said on Monday prior to Villanova’s summer practice at Finneran Pavilion in front of about 300 Wildcats supporters. “Not only them winning the championship, but how they did it, how well they represented this university, how much they talked about it, the way they won it as a team, playing unselfish and playing hard. I think every aspect of what those three guys did, not just for our program but for the university, I think those guys were unbelievable.”
The Nova Knicks helped to put Willard’s program in the eyes and ears of potential recruits. Current high school seniors, as Willard pointed out, were still in elementary school when the Wildcats won their most recent NCAA title in 2018.
“I think it really inspired this generation of kids,” Willard said.
Where’s Suigo?
Prized recruit Luigi Suigo, the 7-foot-3 native of Italy who pulled out of the NBA draft to attend Villanova, was not present at Monday’s practice. The visa process has kept Suigo away from the Main Line, but Willard said he could arrive as early as Tuesday night.
Anthony Finkley on transfer to La Salle
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How’s Hodge?
Sophomore Matt Hodge was at Monday’s session but off to the side while still recovering from a torn right ACL that ended his season prematurely last year. Hodge had surgery on March 6 after getting injured against St. John’s last February 28.
Willard said Hodge could be back as early as October or into January, depending on how the 6-foot-8 Belgium native feels.
“Matt’s timetable will be whenever Matty gets confident,” Willard said. “Could that be October? Yes. Could that be January? Yes.”
You can hear from Hodge by clicking HERE to read my story at Big5Hoops.com from last month.
Summer Breeze?
Willard said he has changed his approach to summer workouts with the explosion of NIL money, preferring to do individual work and 3-on-3 workouts rather than full-fledged 5-on-5’s.
“Now that we’re paying them so much, I’m really probably a little bit lighter in the summer than I used to be,” he said.
However, much like La Salle’s open session in front of public in Sea Isle City last Thursday, the Wildcats did entertain their fans with a 5-on-5 scrimmage on Monday.
You can read my story about La Salle’s summer session in Sea Isle City by clicking HERE.
Teaching Tradition
Besides just another chance to get in some shots and work together as a team, Monday’s session was an important one for the Wildcats, the coach said, to help them further understand the school’s tradition.
The players not only met with fans and supporters but with former players from as early as the 1960’s.
“This is a program that has great tradition, great pride,” Willard said. “Today is about those guys understanding that wearing that Villanova is much, much bigger than they can ever imagine.”
Schedule Strength
While some Power-5 conference schools prefer to pad their nonconference slates with buy games against weaker opponents, Willard has done the opposite in his second season on the Main Line. Among the Wildcats’ contests before Big East play are Notre Dame in Rome on November 1; at Kansas on November 27; and versus Wisconsin on December 12 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The Wildcats also will host Michigan and play at Pitt, along with Big 5 games against La Salle at home and at Temple, in addition to the Big 5 Classic on December 5. As of Monday, those dates have not been finalized.
Willard said he went back through the last 10 national champions and noticed how highly each ranked with strength of schedule.
“I think it’s really important to test yourself on the road,” Willard said. “I think teams should get rewarded for scheduling hard. I think scheduling is one of those things you really have to be aggressive nowadays.”
There also is a financial aspect to the decision, as Villanova can increase revenue with an attractive opponent at a packed Xfinity Mobile Arena, thus helping to offset the rising cost of its roster.
Feeling Positive
Although Suigo has not engaged in a single practice yet and Hodge remains sidelined, Willard likes what he has seen this summer.
“It’s a great group,” he said. “They work hard, get along great. It’s been a really productive summer.”
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-Video Practice Report: Watch my video report below from Bracy Sports Media on YouTube.
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Aaron Bracy has covered sports in Philadelphia for nearly three decades for various publications and as a freelancer for the Associated Press. His first book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003–04 Saint Joseph’s Hawks (Brookline), can be ordered HERE. His second book, Are You Kidding Me? The Incredible, Inspiring Story of Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (Brookline) is scheduled to be published in February 2027. You can preorder it HERE. Follow Bracy on social media HERE. Contact him at bracymedia@gmail.com.