After Losing At Home To Furman It's Time To Ask, Is Villanova Even Good?

What in the hell is going on with Villanova? Well, let me tell you. Jay Wright is trying to figure out a rotation for the first time since he won his first national championship. That’s what happens when you become a blueblood like Villanova is. Now, Wright is trying to not only take freshmen into his scheme, he’s taking a grad transfer in Joe Cremo into it. What we’re seeing is what we’re not used to with Nova. Guys having to adapt while it loses major pieces.

But, here’s the real secret. People can yell about Jahvon Quinerly not playing. You can yell about Eric Paschall not shooting well. But, really it comes down to this. Jermaine Samuels and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree. These two guys were supposed to take a jump, especially being moved into the starting lineup. Not only is Villanova not scoring when these two are in the lineup but Samuels looks absolutely lost on the defensive side of the ball. Samuels was going to be the X-factor for Nova. The fact that he’s not getting anything is the main problem here.

So, yes, Nova is struggling. It reminds me a bit of Oregon from last year where this team is just not gelling. There are pieces here. Villanova has Phil Booth and Eric Paschall. I still believe in Jahvon Quinerly and Collin Gillespie. But, this start? Yikes.

So let’s not freak out just yet. This does seem a bit like pre-2016 Villanova where Jay Wright seemed to have a deal with CBS to help broadcast the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. But, this week will determine a lot for Nova. It heads to the Advocare Invitational with the likes of Florida State, Memphis, Oklahoma State, LSU and Charleston.