Over the past few weeks, Sandman has been building all-time starting fives for some of college basketball’s biggest blue bloods. So far, we’ve taken a look at UCLA, North Carolina, Duke, UConn, and Louisville, all programs that helped define the sport’s rich history.
Today, we head to Philadelphia to spotlight the Villanova Wildcats, a program that dates back to 1920 and has built one of the strongest legacies in college hoops. With seven Final Four appearances and three national titles, Villanova’s history is filled with legends.
With all that greatness, let’s see who makes the cut in our all-time starting five.
Point Guard: Jalen Brunson (2015–2018)
With two national titles to his name, Jalen Brunson has a case as one of the greatest college point guards ever. His scoring ability and leadership made him an instant contributor, and he powered one of the best seasons in program history in 2018. Behind his 18 points per game, the Wildcats steamrolled to a 36-4 record and their third national championship. That year, Brunson also won Big East Player of the Year, the Wooden Award, and the Naismith Award, capping off a historic career.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Lowry
Shooting Guard: Kerry Kittles (1992–1996)
Arguably the most well-rounded player in Villanova history, Kittles’ name appears all over the school record book. He epitomized two-way play, serving as both the Wildcats’ most accurate three-point shooter and their all-time steals leader. Kittles scored more than 2,000 points and made three straight All-Big East First Teams from 1994 to 1996, winning Big East Player of the Year in 1995. His only shortcoming was a lack of deep postseason success.
Honorable Mention: Randy Foye
Small Forward: Paul Arizin (1947–1950)
Eighty-five points in one game sounds like a Wilt Chamberlain off-night, but that was Paul Arizin, a 6-foot-4 forward from Philadelphia. While his résumé looks short by modern standards, that’s only because many awards didn’t exist in 1950. Arizin’s offensive game was ahead of its time. He had a smooth jump shot, attacked the glass with precision, and created angles that baffled defenders. Undersized for a modern forward, maybe, but no Villanova all-time list feels complete without him.
Honorable Mention: Mikal Bridges
Power Forward: Howard Porter (1968–1971)
Howard Porter was a force of nature. He still holds the school record with 1,325 rebounds and scored 2,027 career points. The All-American led Villanova to the 1971 Final Four and a runner-up finish, though the NCAA later vacated the result after learning Porter had signed a pro contract while still in college. Even with that footnote, his dominance on both ends makes him a lock for this lineup.
Honorable Mention: Jim Washington
Center: Ed Pinckney (1981–1985)
After Brunson, Pinckney is the only other player on this list with a national championship. At 6-foot-9, he controlled the paint with skill and strength, ranking in the top ten in steals, blocks, and rebounds for the Wildcats. His efficiency was elite, with his 60 percent career field goal rate remaining a school record. During Villanova’s 1985 title run, Pinckney led the eighth-seeded Wildcats to an improbable championship, still the lowest seed ever to win the tournament.
Honorable Mention: John Pinone
Coach: Jay Wright
The mastermind behind two of Villanova’s national championships, Jay Wright built a dynasty on development, chemistry, and discipline. He wasn’t known for radical schemes, but for his ability to maximize talent and unify rosters. With a lineup this deep and versatile, there’s no one better to coach Villanova’s all-time starting five.
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