Villanova Men's Basketball
Villanova Reaction: Hodge Injured, Palmer Next Man Up?
Villanova Men’s Basketball lost more than their 89-57 decision at the hands of St. John’s on Saturday, Feb. 28. They also lost redshirt freshman Matt Hodge to an apparent right leg injury. The 6-foot-8 forward went down just 88 seconds into the second half and didn’t put any weight on his right leg, needing assistance to limp off the court.
Head coach Kevin Willard didn’t have an update on Hodge’s condition after the game. Playing his first full season after the NCAA ruled him ineligible for the 2024-25 campaign due to a transcript issue, Hodge has started every game for the Wildcats (22-7, 13-5 Big East) this season, averaging 9.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and a team-high 0.6 blocks in 28.1 minutes per night.
Malachi Palmer Steps In
Sophomore Malachi Palmer played a season-high 29 minutes in Hodge’s absence, including 18 minutes in the second half, indicating him as the likely next man up if Hodge misses extended time. Super senior Devin Askew serves as the sixth man, but the 6-foot-6 Palmer provides more of a size advantage and plays the three and the four when needed, preserving flexibility for the already small-statured Wildcats. Palmer logged two points on 1-of-4 shooting, two rebounds, two assists and two turnovers on the night.
The win gave St. John’s a 68-67 lead in the two programs’ all-time series. The Wildcats got a brutal draw in the Red Storm after they suffered a 72-40 onslaught at the hands of No. 6 UConn earlier in the week.
Willard, who served as an assistant under Pitino for ten years with the Boston Celtics and at Louisville, quipped that his former coach is the reason he went bald as he described the intensity Pitino brings after a loss. He also said the Wildcats will need to move on from the loss quickly with two regular season games remaining.
Here’s the reaction from fans and media after the onslaught.
