NEW YORK, N.Y. – The BIG EAST Conference announced its annual All-Academic Teams on Aug. 3 and both Villanova and the Men's Basketball program were well-represented. As a whole, Villanova set a new record with 370 student-athletes honored by the conference.
 
Meanwhile, the men's basketball program set a new standard of its own with 14 Wildcats earning All-Academic honors. Its previous best effort had been 11 in both 2015-16 and 2016-17. Every Wildcat on the active roster earned All-Academic distinction in 2019-20.
 
Since 2013-14, the team has earned 67 Academic All-BIG EAST awards. The BIG EAST began its Academic Award programs in 1987-88.
 
To be eligible for the honor, a nominee must have competed in a BIG EAST-sponsored sport, attained a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for the preceding academic year, and completed a minimum of two consecutive semesters or three consecutive quarters of academic work, with a total of 18 semester or 27 quarter credits, not including remedial courses.
 
Adding to the achievement were the unique circumstances of 2019-20. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the nation in March, Villanova shifted from in-person to online course work.
 
"I'm proud of our guys," stated Head Coach Jay Wright. "They displayed great personal discipline in the face of adversity."
 
Those named to 2019-20 BIG EAST All-Academic Team include: Bryan Antoine, Chris Arcidiacono, Saddiq Bey, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Caleb Daniels, Eric Dixon, Collin Gillespie, Kevin Hoehn, Justin Moore, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Jermaine Samuels, Tim Saunders, Brandon Slater and Cole Swider.