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Villanova Scrimmage Showcases A New-Look Roster

Eric Dixon was a standout in Villanova's scrimmage.

The annual Blue-White Scrimmage gave fans an early look at the 2024-25 Villanova men’s basketball team. Unlike many scrimmages where the roster split into two teams, the event at Finneran Pavilion saw the teams changing personnel in each of the four games. Villanova coach Kyle Neptune liked what he saw as the Wildcats got a chance to play in front of fans after some spirited practices to prepare for the upcoming season.

“At this time of year, you’re just trying to get your team organized with your concepts as fast as possible,” Neptune told the media after the scrimmage. It’s really all you can do until you see your team against another team. Really, at this stage it’s just about seeing how bought in your team is and how much they’re reacting to what you are asking them to do.”

Villanova will return to Finneran Pavilion on Oct. 27 for an exhibition against Robert Morris. The regular season opens with a home game against Lafayette on Nov. 4. The Wildcats finished tied for sixth at 10-10 in the Big East during the 2023-24 season. Let’s take a look at some of Neptune’s thoughts after the Tuesday night scrimmage as part of the Last Word On Sports’ continuing preseason coverage of Big East men’s basketball.

Villanova Scrimmage Showcases A New-Look Roster

Things are going to look different when Villanova takes to the court for real next month. The Villanova scrimmage presented the opportunity for returning players and promising newcomers to get to work.

One of the things that came out of the scrimmage was that Eric Dixon, who led Villanova with an average of 16.6 points a season ago, is now playing at the power forward position. The arrival of 6-foot-11 Fresno State transfer Enoch Boakye will free up Dixon to play at different spots on the floor this season.

“It’s definitely a little change from what we’ve had the last couple of years,” Neptune said. “It’s good for Eric because he’s so versatile. He can play on the perimeter and obviously play inside. We’re looking to continue to see what that looks like moving forward.”

Brickus Making Himself Right At Home

Jhamir Brickus is no stranger to some of the veteran Villanova players. He scored 13 points in 31 minutes in a 2021 game against the Wildcats. The four-year starter at La Salle posted career-high marks with 13.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 60 3-pointers during the 2023-24 season. 

Brickus and Miami transfer Wooga Poplar will bring some experience and scoring potential to a revamped Villanova backcourt.

“He can do everything,” Neptune said. “He may not be the tallest in stature, but there’s nothing he can’t do. There are times when I get on him in practice and then I go back and watch the film and it’s like, ‘he was right’. Jhamir just sees the game at such an advanced level.”

Perkins Another Transfer To Keep An Eye On

A 22-point effort against Villanova was one of five games with at least 20 points for Tyler Perkins during his freshman season at Penn. He averaged 13.7 points per game in his lone season with the Quakers. He is another perimeter player who is being counted on for big things.

“We saw that when we played (Penn) last year,” Neptune said. “After what he did to us, I’m not surprised at all. As in shape as he was last year, he’s really changed his body. His jump shot has really improved as well. He brings a level of toughness to practice and we’re expecting him to bring that into games.”

Freshmen Ready To Make An Impact

Josiah Moseley and Matthew Hodge are a pair of forwards who were ranked as top-100 recruits by the 247sports.com database. Neptune expects both of them to make their presence felt this season.

“[Moseley] has real length, real athleticism and is one of the most athletic players we’ve had here,” Neptune said. “We’ve had some high-level athletes here and he fits alongside them. There is his versatility defensively. He’ll only get better as his skill level improves. There’s a bright future for Josiah.”

The 6-foot-8 Hodge is two inches taller than Moseley so his role might be a little different. He got the chance to battle Dixon in all four games during the Villanova scrimmage.

Three Villanova Players On the Mend

Villanova was without Alabama transfer Kris Parker as a result of a right toe injury. The redshirt freshman was the final player added to the 2024-25 Villanova roster. Freshman Jordann Dumont is working his way back from hip surgery while teammate Aleksandar Gavalyugov suffered a right knee bone bruise last week. They are three of the newcomers that Villanova is hoping can make an impact this season. The Wildcats had the 23rd ranked recruiting class according to the 247sports.com database. Neptune didn’t have a return date for any of the injured players but said he is hopeful they will be ready for the season opener.

 

Jim Fuller

Jim Fuller

Jim Fuller is a former newspaper reporter who covered nine of the UConn women's basketball program's 11 national championship teams, multiple US Open tennis tournaments, was a former voter on the Associated Press women's basketball poll and a former Heisman Trophy voter as well.

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