LAS VEGAS, Nev. – One day after landing here from Philadelphia, Villanova went through a brisk practice session Sunday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena. The Wildcats are set to open the regular season Monday night vs. No. 8 BYU in the Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas.
 
            TNT and Tru TV will broadcast this clash that is expected to begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. eastern following the completion of the Florida-Arizona matchup, which begins at 7 p.m. eastern. Brian Anderson, Grant Hill and sideline reporter Andy Katz will compose the Turner crew.
 
            The Villanova Sports Radio Network on IHeart will also originate its broadcast from T-Mobile Arena. Ryan Fannon and Whitey Rigsby begin their 28^th season as radio partners with this kickoff to the 2025-26 campaign.
 
            "I think it's a good opportunity for us to see where we're at," said William B. Finneran Endowed Villanova Head Coach Kevin Willard. "Whenever you put a team together, it's good to test yourselves early, to find out where guys are at."
 
            The Cougars present a formidable test. An NCAA Tournament team in 2024-25, they now welcome the nation's consensus top freshman, AJ Dybantsa.
 
            "They are extremely balanced, which is what makes them so good," Willard stated. "Rob Wright is a heck of a point guard. One thing they do well is rebound the basketball on the offensive glass. It's amazing how many points they score off offensive rebounds.
 
            "It's just a really good test early for us to see where we are defensively."
 
            Willard has been impressed by Dybantsa too.
 
            "AJ is an unbelievable talent," said Willard. "He is the real deal. He's as good a freshman as I have seen on film."
 
            The Wildcats have dealt with a rash of injuries over the past two months. Transfer guards Devin Askew (right knee sprain), Malcolm Flaggs (strained right achilles) and Zion Stanford (left ankle sprain) missed multiple weeks of practice this fall and saw no action in Villanova's two exhibition outings. Sophomore guard Bryce Lindsay and senior forward Tafara Gapare also missed one of the exhibition games.
 
            The absences did allow for some of the younger Wildcats, including sophomore guard Malachi Palmer and freshman guard Chris Jeffrey, to gain more experience than they otherwise might have.
 
            "That's something that's going to be evolving as guys come back healthy," Willard noted.
 
            Matt Hodge spent last season with the Wildcats only practicing after an NCAA Initial Eligibility decision. Now a redshirt freshman, the 6-8 native of Limburg, Belgium is approaching his first regular season NCAA game.
 
            "He's been amazing," said junior guard Tyler Perkins. "That's my guy. Last year he was there every day in practice, helping him to understand the physicality at this level. He's a great player, a great shooter, and a great teammate. I'm excited to work with him."
 
            Hodge is certainly looking forward to kicking off a new season in his second year at Villanova.
 
            "It's a special opportunity," he said. "This is a big showcase and I think we're all excited to go against a great opponent."