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NCAA Basketball • 10 months ago

Predicting Villanova Basketball’s Starting 5 For 2015-16 Season

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Predicting Villanova Basketball's Starting 5 For 2015-16 Season

The last two seasons, the Villanova Wildcats have had outstanding regular seasons, only to falter in the NCAA Tournament. While the Wildcats would like to put those postseason woes behind them next season, Jay Wright may have enough trouble putting a team on the floor after the loss of several key players. Here's a look at the starting five Wright may put on the floor for the Wildcats during the 2015-16 season.

PG: Jalen Brunson

PG: Jalen Brunson

Brunson is a five-star recruit and one of the best players Wright has recruited to Villanova in a long time, and he will surely step into the starting lineup from Day 1. He's a true point guard with great instincts and a high basketball IQ, not to mention great shooting range. Brunson should be one of the best freshman in the Big East, and he'll give Villanova the boost they'll need after losing so many key players.

SG: Ryan Arcidiacono

SG: Ryan Arcidiacono

With Brunson in the fold, Arcidiacono will slide over to shooting guard, where he'll be a key senior leader for the Wildcats. Villanova may need him to do better than the 10 points per game he averaged last season, but Arcidiacono should provide steady production and do all the little things to help the Wildcats, who will also have good depth in their backcourt with Phil Booth and freshman Donte Divencenzo.

SF: Josh Hart

Villanova Wildcats Josh Hart Shooting NCAA Tournament

SF: Josh Hart

Hart played a key role for the Wildcats last year coming off the bench, but he'll step into a much bigger role next season. Starting Hart essentially gives Villanova a three-guard lineup, but he rebounded well last year, so that shouldn't be a big deal. More importantly, Hart shot 46 percent from 3-point range last year, and with more shots available, he has a chance to average 15 plus points in 2015-16.

PF: Kris Jenkins

PF: Kris Jenkins

Jenkins doesn't provide a lot of size at the 4-spot, but Villanova doesn't have many other options. Jenkins does bring some experience to the table after coming off the bench for the Wildcats last year. He does give Villanova another capable three-point shooter, which will allow them to spread the floor against bigger teams, but Jenkins will have to hold his own rebounding if Villanova is going to play such a small lineup.

C: Daniel Ochefu

C: Daniel Ochefu

Ochefu is the de facto center for Villanova this year, as the lone big man remaining on the roster. Fortunately for the Wildcats, Ochefu dominated the boards last season, averaging 8.5 rebounds per game. He'll have to match or exceed that number this season, and perhaps do a little more scoring as well. There's a lot of pressure on him without much size around him, but Ochefu could be poised for a big senior season.

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Bryan Zarpentine is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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