Villanova Forward Matt Hodge Looks to Bridges, Spellman During Long Layoff

Villanova redshirt freshman Matt Hodge came to campus as a member of the ESPN Top 100, the type of player expected to make an immediate impact for a team. 

Instead, Hodge didn’t play a single game during his true freshman season, the NCAA deeming him academically ineligible because of a transcript issue that arose when he transferred from his native Belgium (where his father played basketball professionally) to St. Rose High School in Belmar, N.J. Hodge described his thought process during that 18 month layoff between live game appearances.

 “Being on that sideline, watching the guys last year, not even being able to help them on the court, just all gave me motivation to be ready to go this year,” Hodge said. “Also the practice, doing everything but suiting up, was just really hard for me. And then having to support the teammates, not being able to suit up was just a hard combination, but then it all just fueled me up for this year.”

Players Want to Play

Although his circumstances were different from the typical redshirt year — most incoming freshmen don’t have to take on the NCAA — Hodge said that assistant coach Ash Howard helped him by comparing his situation to that of other highly-touted recruits who the Wildcats’ coaching staff decided to withhold for a redshirt year. After all, all players want to play.

“I [had] a lot of talks with the coaching staff [about] former players that were in the same situation and kind of just having a feel for it, what to expect before the season started,” Hodge said. “Taking that into consideration, how they still succeeded: Mikal Bridges, Omari Spellman, those guys redshirted and then they still made it to the NBA. It’s what you do in those times [that matters].”

Hodge continued. 

“A lot of talks with Coach Ash Howard, who was also a coach for them. He told me that at the start they weren’t fully for it [redshirting], but then they were, and their work ethic put them where they are right now. That was something that stood out for me.”

How did Hodge put his impromptu redshirt year to good use? Stepping up his effort in the weight room and picking the brain of one of the best forwards in college basketball.

“For me, it was in practice learning from guys like Eric Dixon every day,” Hodge said. “In the weight room, getting stronger and getting my body ready for right now.”

Sticking With the Wildcats 

Hodge was the only member of his freshman class to remain at Villanova following Kyle Neptune’s firing, and one of just three returning Wildcats overall. New head coach Kevin Willard wasn’t there to see what Hodge went through last season, but he said he has seen the way that his young forward carries himself.

“Matt might be the greatest human I’ve ever coached, just because he’s such a great person. He’s so coachable, he listens, he competes at the highest level,” Willard said. “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 noted that his young forward will still deal with the growing pains of any player making his college debut, but said those ups and downs from the former four-star will be worth the wait. 

“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.”