VILLANOVA, Pa. – The home portion of Villanova's 2025-26 regular season gets underway Saturday night at Finneran Pavilion as the Wildcats host Queens University of Charlotte in the opening game of the Villanova Challenge, a three-game November MTE.
 
Tipoff is set for just after 7 p.m. ESPN+ will carry the live stream of the game with Matt Martucci and Phil Martelli the broadcast tandem. The Villanova Radio call will be handled by Whitey Rigsby and his former teammate, Joe Rogers ('77), filling in for Ryan Fannon on the Villanova Sports Network on IHeart (Fannon will be in Baltimore for the broadcast of the Wildcats' football battle at Towson earlier that day).
 
Queens University (1-1 overall, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) is led by sixth year head coach Grant Leonard. The Royals are fresh from their first 20-win season at the Division I level posted in 2024-25 (20-15).
 
This is the first ever meeting between the programs. Fans attending the game are reminded that Villanova University celebrates its annual Special Olympics Fall Festival this weekend. Increased traffic volume is likely in and around campus on Saturday.
 
Villanova (0-1 overall, 0-0 BIG EAST) opened its 2025-26 campaign under new Willam B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach Kevin Willard on Monday night at the Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas. The Wildcats rallied from a 14-point second half deficit to take the second half lead before ultimately falling short against No. 8 BYU, 71-66.
 
There were several encouraging items to take from that test. Among them was the return to game action by transfer guard Devin Askew. The Sacramento native missed the better part of two months – including both of Villanova's exhibition games – while recovering from a right knee injury suffered in practice.
 
"It felt amazing to be back out there," said Askew, who averaged 18.9 points per contest a season ago at Long Beach State. "I am just super blessed to put on the uniform again and be out there running, healthy."
 
Askew was in the starting lineup and logged 12:31 in his return to game activity. He was 0-of-3 from the field.
 
Willard mentioned that he thought Askew showed a little rust in his first live regular season action in six months.
 
"I absolutely felt the rust," Askew stated. "My last game last year was with a different team. It's a whole new game here. Everything from your pre-game routine to warmups felt new. I'm just getting adjusted to being back out there."
 
Askew incurred the injury in early September.
 
"It was a freakish little injury," he said. "I just stepped on someone's foot."
 
The result was a sprained knee. Most of the remainder of September was spent on crutches as the recovery process began. Multiple hours were spent under the care and supervision of Head Athletic Trainer Dan Erickson and Strength Coach Justin McClleland.
 
"They're the best," Askew stated. "I appreciate them so much. It's our whole medical staff. Dan and J-Mac helped me get to a place where I'm healthy again and confident in myself."
 
The road back was lengthy, especially as he tried to absorb a new system with a new coaching staff.
 
"I'm honestly still on that journey of getting myself back to where I need to be," he said.
 
While sidelined, Askew has seen plenty of two of his young backcourt partners, freshmen Acaden Lewis and Chris Jeffrey, step forward with moments of tantalizing promise.
 
"Those are two good young players right there," Askew said.
 
The next step is settling back took place this week at the team's practices in the Davis Center. With each passing day, Askew feels a bit more like himself on the hardwood.
 
"I always look forward to playing," he stated. "I'm blessed to put on this uniform and can't wait to do it on Saturday."