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No. 4: VILLANOVA WILDCATS
Last season: 35-5, 16-2 Big East
It won't be easy for Jay Wright to replace Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu -- a pair of team-first guys -- from last year's national championship team. But he returns three starters -- Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins and Jalen Brunson -- and three more who played key roles a year ago in Phil Booth, Mikal Bridges and Darryl Reynolds. The loss of freshman big man Omari Spellman, who wasn't cleared to play this season by the NCAA, will have an impact. -- Jeff Goodman
Best case: Big East champs, Final Four, repeat champion. Villanova has established a culture of sustained excellence, winning 97 games over the past three seasons, and this team will continue that culture. After cutting down the nets in Houston, Villanova will win over 30 games again and have an opportunity to return to the Final Four and give almost any team a run for its money. Hart will be the team leader, but Brunson and Jenkins will have to assume star roles of consistency in order to repeat.
Worst case: First-weekend exit. Villanova will be younger and less proven in certain positions, especially point guard and pivot. As such, having a tough shooting night can spell the end of a season in the NCAA tournament, a feeling every coach knows at one point or another. Who sets the tone daily without Arcidiacono and Ochefu? Last year, Villanova was collectively tougher defensively and resolute on the offensive end. This year, that toughness will need to be developed. Is an early exit expected? No way. Is it possible as the "worst case?" Yes.
