VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova conducted its first full-length practice ahead of the 2019-20 season on Sept. 24 at the Davis Center. Following the workout, head coach Jay Wright spoke with the media. Excerpts from his comments are below.
 
On being home after a 45-day stint serving as an assistant coach for USA Basketball at the FIBA World Cup: "It's nice to be home. I'm a Philly guy and traveling's not big for me. I enjoyed the trip, but I love being back at Villanova with our guys."
 
On his time with USA Basketball: "I loved it. FIBA basketball is good, intelligent sound basketball. There are a lot of things that all of us on the staff are taking from it. We all had great respect for international basketball going into it, but I think we all took a lot from the experience."
 
On the challenges facing the 2019-20 Wildcats: "Attention to detail is something you are always thinking about with a young team like this one. One of the things I've learned being away is that I really wasn't missed that much. Our assistant coaches did a really good job in the two weeks they spent with them before I returned. I can see a big difference between when I last was on the court with them and now."
 
On Bryan Antoine's recovery from May shoulder surgery: "Bryan's progressing really well. There have been no glitches at all."
 
On the international experience gained this summer by Collin Gillespie, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Jermaine Samuels: "It's definitely helped them, I can tell with the physicality they are playing with now. Collin and Jermaine played in the (Pan Am Games) bronze medal game where Collin was the leading scorer and Jermaine had some big rebounds and really played well. There's a different level of intensity when you play for the USA and they've experienced that. I can tell their confidence has grown."
 
On Collin Gillespie, who sat out Tuesday's practice: "We were just holding him out today. He probably could have gone but he's played a lot of basketball this summer. We'll take our time, but it's nothing serious."
 
On the roles the five incoming freshmen are expected to play: "Unfortunately, they're going to be real important. We'd prefer them not to be so important. We'd rather ease their way into it. But we're going to need them to contribute. Position wise, Chris Arcidiacono and Justin Moore are important because we're thin at the guard spot. Inside, we're looking to Jeremiah and Eric Dixon to help us. And Bryan can help us at guard once he gets back on the court."