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Villanova Bracketology

Villanova Bracketology: Wildcats Back on the (Offseason) Bubble

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Villanova Wildcats Mascot March 18, 2022 David Hague/PSN
David Hague/PSN

After missing the cut in ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s initial offseason rankings, Villanova Men’s Basketball is firmly on the NCAA Tournament  bubble in Lunardi’s second offseason assessment.

Published on Tuesday, May 20 — Lunardi will post one update per month throughout the offseason — the Wildcats land as the No. 3 team in his “Next Four Out” category, good for the No. 75 spot in the tournament’s field of 68. It goes without saying that Villanova still has some climbing to do to cement their reputation as a threat under new head coach Kevin Willard — the season won’t begin for more than five months — but perception does matter in a sport like college basketball where more than half the tournament spots fall to at-large bids.

The Wildcats didn’t make many changes since Lunardi’s last update, posted on April 30, but they did bring in four-star commit Acaden Lewis, a top 35 recruit in his class per ESPN. With Lewis likely to play an important role with Villanova next season, whether off the bench or as a member of the starting lineup, it makes sense that his addition could boost their standing.

Other Big East teams included on Lunardi’s rankings are St. John’s, UConn, Creighton and Marquette; Georgetown fell off the bubble after sneaking in at No. 76 in the last post.

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