Kevin Willard rebuilds Villanova basketball roster for second season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 1:43 PM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026

Villanova head coach Kevin Willard enters his second season with a significantly overhauled roster following a 24-9 debut and a first-round exit from the NCAA Tournament against Utah State. While the 2017-18 Villanova squad remains recognized as one of the best teams of the 21st century in a recent CBS Sports poll, the current program is shifting its focus toward a new rotation. Willard retained only Tyler Perkins, Matt Hodge, and Nico Onyekwere from last season's primary rotation. The updated roster features additions including center Luigi Suigo, forward Kwame Evans Jr., and guard Devin Royal to bolster shooting, experience, and versatility. These changes reflect Willard's goal of aligning the program's current identity with the strategic priorities historically associated with Villanova basketball success.
- •Kevin Willard enters his second season at Villanova after a 24-9 record in his first year.
- •The 2017-18 Villanova team was voted the fourth-best college basketball team of the 21st century.
- •Tyler Perkins, Matt Hodge, and Nico Onyekwere are the only returning rotation players.
- •New additions include Luigi Suigo, Kwame Evans Jr., and Devin Royal.
- •Willard overhauled the roster to emphasize shooting, experience, and defensive versatility.
- 1:43 PMYahoo Sports — CBS poll shows Kevin Willard has the right blueprint for Villanova
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