Without Eric Dixon out for a one-game suspension, Villanova looks to begin the season with a win against Lafayette

VILLANOVA, PA—Villanova opens their 2024 season tonight with a non-conference battle against Lafayette at the Finneran Pavilion. The Wildcats will play without their star forward, Eric Dixon, who will serve a one-game suspension for participating in the 2024 Portsmouth Invitational. The Portsmouth Invitational is a showcase for players looking at the NBA Draft.

Villanova vs. Robert Morris at the Finneran Pavilion on October 27th.

Villanova finished their 2023-24 campaign with 18 wins in 34 games. They split their 20 conference games with 10 wins against Big East competition. Villanova averaged 70.2 points per game last season. Dixon led the Wildcats with 16.6 points per game. Villanova’s defense held opponents to 65.6 points per game, but their offense often suffered scoring droughts. Villanova’s season ended with a loss against VCU in the NIT.

Villanova’s Offseason Subtractions

Besides Dixon’s team-leading 16.6 points per game, TJ Bamba was the only other Wildcat with at least ten points per game. Bamba transferred to Oregon this offseason. The Wildcats also lost Justin Moore, Mark Armstrong, Tyler Burton, Hakim Hart, Brendan Hausen, Chris Arcidiacono, and Lance Ware. Moore, Burton, Hart, and Arcidiacono ran out of college eligibility. Hausen transferred to Kansas State. Ware is now a member of the UT Arlington Mavericks. Armstrong is on the G-League squad of the Brooklyn Nets, the Long Island Nets.

Dixon Returns for his Sixth Season on the Main Line

Villanova will look a lot different in 2024, but their dependable star, Eric Dixon, remains the foundation of the team in his sixth season. He can rebound well, defend at a high level, and even shoot 34% from behind the arc. Dixon scored 28 points with five made threes in 24 minutes against Robert Morris.

This season, Dixon will get to work with a strong rebounding-first forward in Enoch Boakye, a transfer from Fresno State. Boakye contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds in Villanova’s 87-73 win over Robert Morris in their charity scrimmage last weekend.

Boakye talked about the impact of Eric Dixon on his game at Thursday’s Media Day.

“I’ve learned a lot playing with him, especially in practice,” Boakye said. “Eric is such an amazing player that he makes my life easier.”

In addition to Boakye, who will tremendously help Villanova in rebounding and defense, the Wildcats also added Jhamir Brickus from La Salle. Brickus had his best season in 2023-24 with the Explorers, averaging 13.9 points per game. He converted 40% of his shots from behind the arc. He also accumulated 4.8 assists per game. He will be a true point guard to control Villanova’s offense.

Brickus discussed his ability to be a playmaker for Villanova’s offense and his excitement for this season at Thursday’s Media Day conference.

“I take a lot of pride in it,” Brickus said. “I’m very excited because I got some good guys that I know when they get to their spots and I get them the ball in the right spots, they’re going to knock down the shot. I’m definitely looking forward to the season.”

Guard Tyler Perkins was another big offseason splash for the Wildcats. Perkins averaged 13.7 points per contest in his freshman season with the Penn Quakers. He scored 22 points against Villanova at The Palestra last November.

Wooga Poplar, a senior guard from Philadelphia, comes to Coach Neptune’s Wildcats from the Miami Hurricanes, where he spent the last three seasons. He shot a career-high 38.5% from three last season for 13.1 points per game.

The Wildcats also added Kris Parker, a transfer guard from Tallahassee, Florida. Parker spent his 2023-24 season redshirting as a freshman for Alabama. Villanova was one of his final four choices before committing to Alabama.

Lafayette’s 2023-24 Struggles

Lafayette really struggled last season, finishing with an 11-21 overall record and a 10-8 record in conference play against Patriot League teams. The Leopards lost five consecutive games to end their season.

In 2023-24, the Leopards scored just 63 points per game. They converted 40.8% of their field goal attempts while shooting 31% from behind the arc. Lafayette also faced difficulties from the free throw line. They converted at a 67% clip from the charity stripe.

Hines returns to the Leopards

The Leopards’ leading scorer, Devin Hines, returns for his fourth season at Lafayette. He had the best season of his career with 9.8 points per game last season. He shot 37% from the field and 33.6% from three. Justin Vander Baan, a 7’0’’ senior from Northbridge, Massachusetts, also returns to Lafayette. Vander Baan scored 9.3 points per game with over five rebounds per contest in 2023-24.

Despite their top two scorers returning this season, Lafayette lost Kyle Jenkins to the Fairfield Stags in the offseason. Jenkins had 9.1 points per game last year.

Moseley’s Role in “Replacing” Dixon

The main topic heading into tonight’s game is who will take Dixon’s minutes. Freshman forward Josiah Moseley is the top candidate. He played in 17 minutes in the charity scrimmage and scored four points. However, Villanova will most likely rotate much of the lineup tonight against Lafayette.

Jordan Longino’s Impact

Regarding points and offense, Jordan Longino’s role increases without Dixon. Longino is set up for what could be his best season in college basketball. He averaged 6.6 points per game in 2023-24, but he battled injuries down the stretch once again last season. Longino hopes to stay fully healthy for the first time in his collegiate career, and he could put up big numbers if he does so. Longino scored 21 points in the scrimmage on October 27^th.

WXVU’s Live Coverage

Today’s game begins at 8 pm from the Finneran Pavilion. WXVU’s live coverage begins at 7:30pm with the pregame show. To listen to today’s game on student radio, one could listen on the local 89.1 FM dial, the WXVU website, and the RadioFX App.