“Villanova doesn’t have a real NBA prospect on this squad.”: Stephen A Smith's failed take resurfaces amid Mikal Bridges reunion with Knicks
The Villanova Wildcats have been one of the country's better men's college basketball programs over the previous decade, winning two national championships in the process. However, looking back eight years ago, not everyone believed in Villanova's talent making an impact in the NBA.
An old clip surfaced of ESPN's Stephen A. Smith discussing the 2016 national championship game between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels in which he proclaimed Villanova didn't have a single NBA prospect.
That Villanova Wildcats team had Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Ryan Arcidiacono all playing in the title game. All but Arcidiancono are currently signed to the New York Knicks after Tuesday night's trade between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Bridges, but Arcidiancono was part of last year's Knicks team as well.
There's egg on Stephen A. Smith's face here, but that's what also happens when a person is on television daily talking about different subjects.
How good will the 2024-25 Villanova Wildcats look?
The Villanova Wildcats (18-16, 10-10 Big East) struggled last year as they finished sixth in the Big East with an 18-16. The team made the NIT but was swiftly eliminated by the VCU Rams in the first round. However, the team looks as if it's moving in the right direction for next season.
The Wildcats secured one of the best players in the NCAA transfer portal remaining at the beginning of June in Miami's Wooga Poplar. The program has some good recruits as well, led by forwards Josiah Moseley and Matthew Hodge.
With the program needing some offensive firepower, it should improve after ranking 304th with 70.2 points per game and 257th in both rebounding (34.8) and assists (12.9). While a national championship appearance does not seem to be in the cards, don't be surprised to see the Villanova Wildcats make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.