Villanova F Matt Hodge Ready to Play After Long Layoff | Meet the Wildcats

This is one in a series of stories introducing the Villanova Wildcats’ 2025-26 roster.

Redshirt freshman forward Matt Hodge is one of just three returning players on the Villanova Wildcats roster. Although he joined the team as a member of the ESPN Top 100 (No. 95) in his class, Hodge didn’t play a minute last year owing to a transcript issue he picked up while transferring from his native Belgium to St. Rose High School in Belmar, N.J.

Hodge spent his formative years in Belgium because his father, Odell, a former Division I basketball player at ODU, played professionally in the overseas leagues. The 6-foot-8, 220 pound Hodge will likely deal with growing pains during his first active season of college basketball — especially after spending more than 18 months without playing in a live game. During his return to the court against VCU in a preseason scrimmage, Hodge went 2-for-10, but the low rate stems in part from an aggressive shot profile: he made two of seven three-point attempts, going 0-for-3 from two-point range and making both free throws. Hodge added seven rebounds, an assist, no turnovers and three fouls.

Here’s what his head coach, Kevin Willard, had to say on the topic at the Villanova media day.

Getting Back into the Game

“I just think for Matt, it’s going to be once those lights go on just getting used to that again. It’s been a while, but he’s competed. I think the fan base is going to love the way he plays, I just think, again, he’s one of those guys everyone’s just going to have to let mistakes happen and the shots happen because it’s just gonna be a lot for him,” Willard said. “It’s just reps, you know, it’s kind of nerves. I think he’s very excited to finally play a game. What happened to him last year was obviously not the greatest thing, but I think he’s ready to play.

Willard also complimented Hodge for his conduct through those struggles.

“Matt might be the greatest human I’ve ever coached, just because he’s such a great person,” Willard said. He’s so coachable, he listens, he competes at the highest level.”

An intriguing aspect of Hodge’s play is his positionless ability. Willard said that he can play Hodge at the five, but he also has the ball-handling ability of a much smaller player. He’ll need to work on his shooting in order to become a truly positionless player, but with four seasons of eligibility remaining, he has plenty of time to get that done.

In an offseason film review, Philadelphia Sports Now noted Hodge’s steady defensive play and effort, indicating the coachability Willard raved over. A natural athlete with NBA talent, watching Hodge develop into his full potential should be an exciting journey for Villanova fans.