Cats in Blue

@AlertsNova @DushawnLondon1 @NovaMBB Not gonna lie I’m happy this opens up a spot. Didn’t seem to have to athletic ability to play

NEWS: Villanova Redshirt-Freshman Braden Pierce, is entering the transfer portal, per @DushawnLondon1 Pierce averaged 1.2 points and 1 rebound in 6.6 minutes per game off the bench as a backup big. Best of luck Braden! (📸 @novambb)

@theblockspot I think it depends on seeding. If you’re one of the last 4 and lose in the play-in game, I think the NIT championship is a better overall season.

Auburn just won the NIT. Would you rather: • Win the NIT • L in the 1st Round of March Madness

@Mookie__Bets @JoeTipton @TransferPortal @On3 @AcadenLewis @VUhoops @thefull40 @BarstoolNova Where does that rank? I’m agreeing with you but I feel like Villanova has the ability to spend like the top tier programs

@CatsinBlue @JoeTipton @TransferPortal @On3 @AcadenLewis @VUhoops @thefull40 @BarstoolNova Villanova spent over 8M on this years roster. They are spending.

NEWS: Villanova guard Acaden Lewis will enter the @TransferPortal and declare for the NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility, he told @On3. The 6-foot-2 freshman averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game this season, earning All-Big East Second Team honors. Represented by @MomentousSP. on3.com/pro/news/villa…

Bryce Lindsay entering the portal is another tough loss for Villanova. He gave Nova real shooting threat when he was on. Had a long stretch when he wasn’t on. Roster is going to look very different next year which is good. Perkins and Hodge would be a nice start. #NovaNation

@Lorisk16 @JoeTipton @TransferPortal @On3 @AcadenLewis @VUhoops @thefull40 @BarstoolNova Agreed.

@CatsinBlue @JoeTipton @TransferPortal @On3 @AcadenLewis @VUhoops @thefull40 @BarstoolNova Which really wasn’t him

@KnowB70034 @SSN_Nova 32 here. Guy couldn’t shoot. Just a fact. But great ball handler and finisher around the rim.

@SSN_Nova First off you’re like 30 bad mouthing this kid for leaving your school. If he stayed you wouldn’t be saying this ‘’But Nova will now be on the lookout for a point guard who can shoot better than 27% from 3 and 58% from the free throw line’’. You Nova fans are pathetic

There were rumors Nova offered him a massive NIL deal. Just seems like a guy who is going to go to the highest bidder. What a shame. But Nova will now be on the lookout for a point guard who can shoot better than 27% from 3 and 58% from the free throw line

@SJUDave Can’t be mad at this anymore. Happens to everyone. Regroup and pay the next guy….and hope he can shoot

If I’m a Villanova fan, the anger and frustration would be unmatched. Willard & Nova gave him all he could ask for as a freshmen. Huge $$, starting role, freedom to operate, he earned 2nd team all big east honors, WHAT more could you possibly be looking for?!?

@MarkDelFig9sga @Mookie__Bets @JoeTipton @TransferPortal @On3 @AcadenLewis @VUhoops @thefull40 @BarstoolNova NIL budget is the new culture. Damn shame

@CatsinBlue @Mookie__Bets @JoeTipton @TransferPortal @On3 @AcadenLewis @VUhoops @thefull40 @BarstoolNova It’s the exact reason Jay and Tony Bennett bailed. Can’t possibly make your culture and systems work if it’s brand new roster every year. It actually says a lot to their character. They really were in it for things past the paycheck.

@WXVUDavidS Would be somewhat shocked if he goes to the draft. Definitely could use another year. Don’t think this means Villanova is out though. Probably using it as bargaining chip to get more money. Villanova is going to have to spend this offseason

I definitely thought today’s news about Acaden Lewis was surprising. Just want to be clear that this is all my personal opinion rather than direct knowledge from behind the scenes about the situation. I expected Lewis to stay in college for one more season, maybe with Villanova or another program, and then enter for the draft. The potential is obviously sky high for Lewis, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s testing the waters in the NBA Draft and returns to college for another season next year. With his name in the transfer portal, if he returns, it probably won’t be with Villanova. I’ll discuss more on Villanova Sports Talk on Thursday at 11 AM on WXVU.

@SSN_Nova @Zach_nova Tough news. Appreciate how much he helped the team. If he works on his shot he could be great. This opens up some possibilities though. Might be able to spread that money around.

@Mookie__Bets @JoeTipton @TransferPortal @On3 @AcadenLewis @VUhoops @thefull40 @BarstoolNova It’s been tough to watch these last few years. I think Jay saw this coming with NIL and “free agency”. But it’s time for Villanova to start spending.

@JoeTipton @TransferPortal @On3 @AcadenLewis @VUhoops @thefull40 @BarstoolNova If you aren’t gambling there’s really no reason to continue watching college sports. If you’re a Villanova person you fell in love with your players bc Jay Wright would coach & develop them for 3-4 yrs. The sport has been lit on fire. There’s no connection anymore to any of that.

Acaden Lewis is declaring for the draft/entering portal. Big news for Villanova’s offseason. Acaden was a difference-maker all year and helped get Nova to the tournament but struggled against top competition. Thought he would be big time with Villanova next year. PG addition?

If NIL and transfer rules tighten with Donald Trump’s Executive Order, Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball could benefit as much as anyone. The coach may have changed but Nova is built on development and culture. Watching a team develop is better than free agency. #NovaNation

@ConnerHaleSprts No reason why Villanova shouldn’t be in this group.

🚨 Top 15 Projected NIL + Roster Spending for 2026-27 College Basketball 1. Kentucky (SEC) — $21M–$23M 2. BYU (Big 12) — $15M 3. Duke (ACC) — $14M 4. Arkansas (SEC) — $12.5M 5. Indiana (Big Ten) — $12M 6. Louisville (ACC) — $11.5M–$12M 7. Texas Tech (Big 12) — $11.5M 8. St. John’s (Big East) — $11.5M 9. Michigan (Big Ten) — $11.5M 10. Kansas (Big 12) — $9.5M–$10M 11. Tennessee (SEC) — $9.5M 12. Providence (Big East) — $10M+ (explicitly targeting big portal spend under new HC Bryan Hodgson) 13. Arizona (Big 12) — $9.5M 14. North Carolina (ACC) — ~$9M–$10M (consistent top-tier spender) 15. UCLA (Big Ten) — $8M–$9.5M (Cronin pushing for more; USC similar range in Big Ten)

@AlertsNova Need a big time 5 transfer

Current 2026-2027 Villanova depth chart: PG: Acaden Lewis, Chris Jeffery SG: Tyler Perkins, Bryce Lindsay, Malcolm Flaggs SF: Malachi Palmer PF: Matt Hodge C: Braden Pierce, Nico Onyekwere. Not including Stanford as he departed the team and will inevitably transfer. I believe that leaves 4 open scholarship spots if nobody portals out (which won’t happen)

@barstoolsports The devastation in his voice. Unbelievable ending

Duke’s radio call of their choke vs UConn is something everybody in the world deserves hear x.com/SickosCommitte…

@HogEng @GBF_Terps How did Villanova hurt you? Waitlist?

@CatsinBlue @GBF_Terps It’s a directly relevant stat with metrics. “Scoring bigs controlling the paint for easy offense when needed” is some high level smoke blowing bullshit. Aka nova fans.

Villanova needs to look at the teams still dancing. Almost all have scoring bigs who can control the paint and create easy offense when needed. Guard play still matters but balance is needed. To get better next season, Nova needs that inside presence. #NovaNation #MarchMadness

@PatScottHanlon5 Would love that

@CatsinBlue Veesaar might be available.

@GBF_Terps Hard to believe that especially with how butt hurt Maryland fans still are about him leaving. Good luck to Maryland.

@CatsinBlue 100% yes, not a doubt in my mind he’s a better coach. We wanted Willard fired for 2.5 of the 3 seasons he was here. Not gonna blame Buzz for a bad year 1 when he took over a program that was set on fire by the previous coach