VILLANOVA, Pa. – A new era in the long and storied history of Villanova Basketball kicks off Monday night as the Wildcats host Philadelphia Big Five rival La Salle at 6:30 p.m. at Finneran Pavilion. The regular season opener is highlighted by the debut of new head coach Kyle Neptune, the former VU assistant who succeeded Naismith Hall of Famer Jay Wright last April.
 
The game will be televised by Fox, airing as part of the comprehensive coverage of eight BIG EAST home openers Monday. Brandon Gaudin and Jim Spanarkel will be courtside. Complete game coverage, from tipoff to final horn, can be found on the Fox Sports app. The FS1 feed will include portions of the contest.
 
Neptune, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., who first joined Wright's staff as a video coordinator in 2008, is just the sixth head coach of the modern era of Villanova Basketball. Alexander Severance guided the Wildcats to the first NCAA Final Four in 1939 and later coached Hall of Famer Paul Arizin in his 25-year run from 1936-73. A visit to the 1971 NCAA Final Four was one of the highlights of Jack Kraft's tenure from 1961-73.
 
Rollie Massimino was at the helm for 19 seasons (1973-92), posting a 20-10 record in the NCAA Tournament while leading Villanova to its first NCAA national title in 1985. Steve Lappas took the reins in '92 and served nine seasons that included a 1994 National Invitation Tournament title and BIG EAST championship a year later. Then came Wright, who steered the 'Cats to four appearances in the NCAA Final Four – including one last spring – and a pair of NCAA national crowns.
 
Neptune returned to Villanova after leading Fordham to a 14-win improvement from the previous season in 2021-22 as its head coach after serving as a VU assistant coach from 2013-21.
 
The Wildcats open with a Big Five matchup for just the third time in program history. In 1983-84, Villanova downed Saint Joseph's 57-50 at the Palestra to kick the campaign off. In 2003, it downed Temple 73-48 at the Liacouras Center in a contest that tipped off just after midnight.
 
Villanova's run-up to the preseason has included a lengthy list of injury setbacks. Guard Caleb Daniels suffered a broken nose in early October but has since returned to action wearing a face mask. Freshman guard Brendan Hausen (concussion) and sophomore forward Trey Patterson (sports hernia) dealt with injuries in October as well but have also returned to action. Sophomore guard Jordan Longino missed time later in the month with left knee soreness.
 
The Wildcats will be without two central figures on Monday night. Senior guard Justin Moore, chosen to the preseason All-BIG EAST second team, remains sidelined as he recovers from April surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. Freshman forward Cam Whitmore underwent surgery on his right shooting thumb in early October after suffering a practice injury and remains out.
 
The excitement of a new season is tangible in the estimation of Neptune.
 
"Our guys are excited to get going," he stated. "We've dealt with some injuries and now we're ready to begin this journey to become the best team we can be by the end of the season."
 
Villanova was picked third in the preseason BIG EAST coaches poll and is ranked No. 16 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25.

La Salle will also have a new leader making his coaching debut as alumnus Fran Dunphy coaches his frist game for the Explorers after previously leading two other Big Five programs to great success, Penn and Temple.
 
As part of Monday night's festivities, Villanova will host its "Military Appreciation Night", honoring those who have served this nation.