Matt Hodge (left) and Tyler Perkins (right) speak, along with coach Kevin Willard, at a press conference after Villanova’s 73-63 loss to UConn on February 21, 2026.
By AARON BRACY
June 13, 2026
Big5Hoops.com
[Author’s Note: This story also appears on the Bracy Sports Media Newsletter. Click HERE to read and subscribe for free to have my content delivered to your email inbox.]
It was a drive to the basket that Matt Hodge had done thousands of times. This time, though, early in the second half against St. John’s this past February 28, at Madison Square Garden, Hodge went down and immediately knew something was not right. The injury, sadly, would end Hodge’s season after being diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Tyler Perkins was at practice running hard, as he always does, through a screen when his right shoulder crashed into a teammate’s body. The discomfort persisted throughout the remainder of the season, not enough to sideline the lefty-shooting Perkins but enough to get an MRI when the season was over. Perkins was diagnosed with a posterior labral tear in his right shoulder.
Both Hodge and Perkins, the only two players back for Villanova after a successful 24-9 campaign that finished with an NCAA tournament berth, had surgeries following the season. I recently spoke to both about how their rehab is going and their timelines for a full return to the court.
Ready To Go
Perkins expects to be ready to go when the Wildcats tip off the 2026–27 season against Notre Dame in Rome on November 1, 2026.
“It’s healing well,” he told me last month. “I’m getting better every day. I definitely think I’ll be ready to go come November.”
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Perkins had a strong junior season in 2025–26 for the Wildcats, averaging 13.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 29.8 minutes while starting all 33 games. He was named the Big East’s Most Improved Player. Look out for more on Perkins in this space soon.
Step By Step
Hodge’s return to the court is not as clear as Perkins. A typical back-to-action timeline for an ACL tear of Hodge’s significance is 9 to 12 months, or longer. Hodge had surgery on March 6. An early December return would be optimistic, though possible. A 12-month return would put Hodge back on the court in early March 2027. Taking a medical redshirt could be a possibility. Right now, though, Hodge is more focused on a step-by-step approach.
His first hurdle was to get off crutches, then out of a brace in late April. He is now working on getting back to jogging and jumping, followed by on-court, non-contact drills.
“Step by step,” he said.
A Good Support System
Hodge has leaned on Villanova assistants JayVaughn Pinkston and Ashley Howard, as well as the Wildcats’ medical team for support. He also has frequent calls with his younger brother, Jayden, who unfortunately also tore his ACL a month prior to his big brother’s injury.
“I’ve been seeing his progress before it was happening to me,” Hodge said. “Really helpful.”
Just getting back on the court for some basic ballhandling skills while seated in a chair or shooting drills with a straight leg with the likes of Howard nearby has been hugely helpful for Hodge.
“It just keeps me mentally positive, being on the court alone,” he said. “Feeling the ball, feeling the ball go through the net, it helps me to stay positive.”
Howard has been in Hodge’s ear with examples of players who have returned from his injury even better. Pinkston, himself, went through an ACL tear and has lent support.
“Hearing stories and saying everyone came back better is a positive thing and helped me stay positive,” Hodge said.
“I’ve got a good support system,” he added.
A Freak Injury
After having to sit out the 2024–25 season due to NCAA Clearinghouse issues, Hodge was having an excellent first season on the Main Line before going down against St. John’s.
“It’s something I’ve been doing my whole life, just a drive I’ve done maybe a thousand times,” he said. “Just this one time I planted my foot, and it felt wrong from the moment I planted it. I knew it right away when I fell down on the floor.”
Hodge’s season ended with him averaging 9.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 27.6 minutes while starting all 29 games he played. He made 36.8 percent (50 of 136) from three-point range. The absence of the 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward, particularly on defense and the backboard, was apparent in Villanova’s final four contests. After beating DePaul and Xavier to close the regular season, the Wildcats lost to Georgetown in their Big East tournament opener before falling to Utah State in their first game of the NCAA tournament.
‘I Want to Get Back on the Court’
A healthy Hodge certainly will benefit Villanova in coach Kevin Willard’s second season. And Hodge is doing everything he can to get back as soon as possible. At the same time, he understands that the rehab process is indeed a process. Having to sit out his first season, as tough as that was, also has been helpful.
“I’ve been through it before,” Hodge said of being sidelined. “That patience and not rushing anything and really just letting my knee heal.”
Obviously, he is hopeful that happens sooner than later. He certainly is doing everything he can to help the healing process along.
“It all depends on how my recovery goes, and it’s up to me how hard I go into this,” he said, when asked about a timeline. “I want to get back on the court.”
When that is, only time will tell.
“It all depends on how the tests I have to pass before I can get back on the court playing in games,” he said. “When it comes to that time, we’re all going to be able to sit down and come up with the right thing to do.”
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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.