Villanova basketball has finally made its way back to the Finn with the Blue and White Scrimmage on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
The highly anticipated intrasquad matchup marks the first live look at the Villanova Wildcats as the new season approaches. It is more important than ever for the Wildcats to make a strong first impression, as the team is coming off back-to-back NIT losses and in search of a return to the NCAA tournament.
Ten players took the court for the Wildcats to play in four separate scrimmages, with the teams being scrambled each time. Notable players to not make an appearance included redshirt freshman guard and Alabama transfer Kris Parker, freshman guard from Bulgaria Aleksandar Gavalyugov and redshirt freshman forward Jordan Dumont.
Each matchup started with an even 50-50 score with six minutes left, simulating the ending of a close game. Sophomore guard and Penn transfer Tyler Perkins got the scoring started with a tough jumper off a skilled move. Perkins had a strong performance in all four scrimmages.
“We saw [Perkins’] talent level, what he did against us, I’m not surprised at all,” head coach Kyle Neptune said. “To his credit, he came in as in-shape as he was last year. He’s really changed his body. His jump shot has really improved as well. He brings a level of toughness and nastiness to practice and we expect him to bring the same into games.”
Game one finished with a score of 63-60, in favor of the Blue Team led by sixth-year Wildcat Eric Dixon, who recorded six points. The offense went cold in game two, as both teams were tied 52-52 after six minutes to go to overtime. The game finished in favor of Blue again as they put up seven points in OT led by graduate guard and La Salle transfer Jhamir Brickus, who scored four.
The last two games were much higher-scoring as the offenses heated up. Dixon and fellow returning senior guard Jordan Longino started game three exchanging a pair of three-pointers. Longino finished with ten points for Blue, but it wasn’t enough. Blue lost 68-63 due to an offensive explosion from senior forward and Fresno State transfer Enoch Boakye, who dropped seven points while working exclusively in the paint.
Game four resulted in a 69-61 victory for blue led by eight points from Brickus, including a pair of smooth threes. Neptune wrapped up the night with a speech thanking the fans for their support.
The Blue and White Scrimmage gave a glimpse into what’s to come for the 2024-25 season. There was high energy, aggressive play, and impressive defense and offense all around.
“Really, you’re just judging how bought-in your team is and how much they’re reacting to whatever you’re asking them to do,” Neptune said. “Thus far they are, at least in practice.”
The Wildcats are a team with only three returning players so it’s important to see how this chemistry develops as the season nears. The new recruits played well this game, as they have left a mark on their fellow teammates, coaches and fans.
“We have a really good mix of younger guys and some older guys, and then some guys who are coming back as older guys as well,” Neptune said. “I love our mix just in terms of the team chemistry, and I think our guys are on the same page.”
The Wildcats will have another chance to showcase their new squad before the new season with a home exhibition game against Robert Morris on Sunday, Oct. 27 at noon.
Villanova will return once again on Nov. 4 to play Lafayette in the season opener. Fans are eager to pack the Finn as the new year arrives.
