Ken Pomeroy released his initial 2020-21 rankings late Tuesday night, and Villanova checked in at No. 4 overall. The Cats are ranked 5th in offensive efficiency and 9th in defensive efficiency.
Nova trails Baylor (potential opponent), Gonzaga, and Duke in the rankings. The Wildcats are also one of just three teams (Baylor, Duke) to be ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Some other rankings of interest:
Creighton is the next highest-ranked Big East team at No. 13. Marquette checked in at No. 34 followed by UConn (43), Seton Hall (50), Butler (56), and Providence (63). The remaining Big East teams landed outside the top 70.
Texas is No. 9, Virginia is No. 16, and Arizona State is No. 36. So if the schedule plays out the way we expect it to, Villanova is currently looking at two top 10 KenPom opponents, another top 20 opponent, and a top 40 opponent in the non-conference.
The two main takeaways here are the KenPom numbers fall in line with what we've seen from the majority of the preseason polls, at least in terms of the assessment of Villanova, and that Villanova's schedule is looking like one of the most impressive in the country heading into the season.
Nova trails Baylor (potential opponent), Gonzaga, and Duke in the rankings. The Wildcats are also one of just three teams (Baylor, Duke) to be ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Some other rankings of interest:
Creighton is the next highest-ranked Big East team at No. 13. Marquette checked in at No. 34 followed by UConn (43), Seton Hall (50), Butler (56), and Providence (63). The remaining Big East teams landed outside the top 70.
Texas is No. 9, Virginia is No. 16, and Arizona State is No. 36. So if the schedule plays out the way we expect it to, Villanova is currently looking at two top 10 KenPom opponents, another top 20 opponent, and a top 40 opponent in the non-conference.
The two main takeaways here are the KenPom numbers fall in line with what we've seen from the majority of the preseason polls, at least in terms of the assessment of Villanova, and that Villanova's schedule is looking like one of the most impressive in the country heading into the season.