Villanova Film Room: Playing Bigger Should Help Matt Hodge

This is one in a series of stories reviewing film for each player on Villanova Men’s Basketball’s 2026-27 roster.

Villanova forward Matt Hodge started his basketball career in Belgium while his father Odell kicked around in the European professional leagues. Reviewing his game footage shows fundamentals built across the pond, where the style of play focuses more on strategy and teamwork than the one-on-one duels expected in the United States.

A redshirt freshman last season, Hodge made his Villanova debut playing under a new system from head coach Kevin Willard. While he endured growing pains, attempting 136 of 208 shots from beyond the arc and cashing in 36.8 percent of the time, Hodge’s shooting improved greatly as the season went on — a 22-of-71 (30.9 percent) clip through the first two months of the season dragged down his final line.

Playing at Butler and in a neutral site game against Wisconsin, Hodge’s best attempts from beyond the arc came on catch-and-shoot plays. Even when lurking on the wing waiting for those opportunities, Hodge didn’t get caught ball-watching. As his teammates cycled back to the perimeter, presenting the Wildcats with other opportunities for a kick-out pass, Hodge would cut into the paint and keep options open.

Finding a Better Fit

His use on screens stood out against the Bulldogs and could turn into an even greater weapon this season if he’s on the court at the same time as the 6-foot-10 Kwame Evans Jr. or 7-foot-3 Luigi Suigo. Rather than getting caught between playing the wing and having to contribute down low on a shaky rebounding team, Hodge can use his 6-foot-8 frame as a legitimate mismatch, both as a shooter and while creating space for his teammates.

Another effort that stood out was his six point, six rebound performance at home against DePaul. Hodge missed all seven of his shots from the field in that game but remained engaged, crashing down to clean up on the glass. He also made six of nine attempts from the free point line, drawing fouls and generating offense even on a shaky shooting night.

Hodge will need to rehab from an ACL tear suffered against St. John’s in late February, an injury that will almost certainly cost him regular season games. If he can maintain his growth from the second half of last season, when he made 28 of 65 (43.1 percent) attempts from beyond the arc, Hodge’s play in a system that better fits him should take a leap.