Villanova basketball is entering a new era, but championship expectations remain unchanged. With Kevin Willard now at the helm, the Wildcats are determined to uphold Jay Wright’s legacy and continue to chase national titles. Can Willard meet the sky-high standard that defines Villanova basketball?
Kevin Willard Embraces Villanova’s Championship Standard
Willard didn’t beat around the bush- he said right from the start that chasing championships is part of who Villanova is. “This is a place where winning titles is what we’re all about. Our fans expect it, I expect it, our former players expect it, and honestly, Jay really expects us to be a championship team,” Willard said. You can feel both the pride and the pressure that comes with leading the Wildcats.
But Willard’s also pretty honest about how college basketball is changing. He knows it’s not as easy as it used to be to keep those long winning streaks going, mainly when players like Kris Jenkins and Josh Hart used to stick around for four or five years.
“Can you do that every year now, with how things are? Can you get guys to stay for five years and have those same kinds of runs? It’s probably a lot harder now, and honestly, it might not be realistic,” he admitted.
Even with all these new challenges, Willard isn’t backing down at all. “It’s going to be more difficult, but our expectations are to win a championship,” he said. So, even though the road might be more challenging now, the Wildcats aren’t lowering their sights one bit- they’re still aiming for the top.
Navigating a New Era While Honoring Jay Wright’s Legacy
Willard’s approach is rooted in respect for the program’s storied past and a willingness to adapt. “I’m not here to change Villanova basketball… I’m not here to change the culture. I’m not here to change the attitude. I’m not here to change anything besides the way we play,” he explained, emphasizing his commitment to preserving the values and culture instilled by Wright.
At the same time, Willard knows he’s got to stay flexible. “Those days are gone, and you’re never going to see them again. So, the way we play and the way we coach has to change,” he said, talking about how you can’t count on having players stick around for years like before.
Adaptability is huge now, especially with things like the transfer portal and NIL deals shaking up how college basketball works. Villanova has to roll with these changes if it wants to stay competitive.
Willard’s message to everyone at Villanova is pretty simple: he wants to keep the winning tradition going, but he’s also not afraid to try new things. He’s hoping to get the Wildcats back in the national spotlight, and he wants everyone to keep aiming high when chasing championships.
KEEP READING: ‘Phone Was Blowing Up’ — Kevin Willard, Gets Honest About The Pope Being A Villanova Graduate
Willard has some big shoes to fill at Villanova, but he knows what he wants to keep the program at the top and ensure those championship dreams never fade. Sure, it might be tougher these days, but the Wildcats are still all about excellence. And with Wright’s high standards still in the mix, you can bet that drive to win is as strong as ever.
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