March Madness is now in full swing, with several teams already having played their first game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. However, the Villanova Wildcats won\u2019t be among the teams hoops fans get to see, as they went 19-14 in 2024-25. This marks the third straight season that the Wildcats missed the cut, their longest drought since 2000-2004.<\/p>\n
Come June, Villanova fans may have something to cheer for, with seniors Eric Dixon<\/a> and Wooga Poplar<\/a> among the prospects that could hear their name called during the 2025 NBA Draft. Indeed, a couple of former Nova standouts were recently asked Dixon and Poplar. Here\u2019s what one, New York Knicks forward Josh Hart<\/a>, had to say about the Wildcats duo:<\/p>\n \u201cI think Dixon can space the floor,\u201d Hart tells HoopsHype\u2019s Michael Scotto. \u201cWooga\u2019s athletic ability is going to put him in a good position<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Dixon can certainly space the floor.<\/p>\n After five seasons at Villanova, he\u2019s a career 39.2 percent 3-point shooter. Over the past three seasons, he\u2019s made 38.7 percent of his 3s while taking 4.9 attempts per game. In 2024-25, he took a career-high 7.0 three-pointers per game, converting 42.2 percent of them.<\/p>\n Furthermore, he\u2019s become increasingly comfortable beyond the arc. As a freshman, 17.8 percent of his field goal attempts were 3s. As a junior, 28.8 percent of his field goal attempts were 3s. In 2024-25, 41.6 percent of his attempts came from behind the 3-point circle.<\/p>\n With Dixon listed at 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, he can easily be used as a stretch-four at the NBA level.<\/p>\n This is a more simplistic role than he plays for the Wildcats, as he\u2019s often expected to generate offense out of thin air. In fact, the lefty led the NCAA in points per game (23.0) in 2024-25. Nevertheless, it\u2019s the easiest way for him to break into a rotation, especially early in his career. Even highly-touted rookies may not have plays called for them, so being able to play off their more established teammates is essential.<\/p>\nEric Dixon<\/h3>\n