Villanova men's basketball opens its home exhibition schedule Saturday, Oct. 17, when George Mason visits Finneran Pavilion for a 1 p.m. tip.
The game gives fans their first in-person look at the 2026-27 Wildcats, including 7-3 freshman center Luigi Suigo. The native of Tradate, Italy, is adjusting to the American game after arriving on campus in mid-July.
"He's going to have his up and down moments with fouls," head coach Kevin Willard said, according to Villanova athletics. "There was an offensive foul call against him (at Rutgers) that's not an offensive foul in Europe. It is a foul here."
Willard added that Suigo has been studying film with assistant coaches and getting a feel for how fast the college game is. Senior forward Devin Royal praised the freshman, saying Suigo is coachable and strong around the rim.
Saturday marks the second of three exhibitions for Villanova. The Wildcats edged Rutgers 77-75 on Oct. 11 at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, N.J., with Royal, a transfer from Ohio State, leading the way with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double in 34 minutes. Senior guard Tyler Perkins, the preseason All-Big East first team selection, added 18 points.
Willard said he still has not settled on a starting five and is using the exhibition slate to experiment with different combinations.
Two key players remain sidelined. Forward Matt Hodge continues to recover from ACL surgery last March, and there is no timetable for his return. At Villanova's Summer Jam media availability on July 28, Willard said Hodge's timeline would depend on when the player feels confident and ready to play.
Forward Kwame Evans Jr., a 6-10 transfer from Oregon who earned preseason All-Big East second team honors, is listed day-to-day with a left leg injury. He also missed the Rutgers game.
Villanova wraps up exhibition play the following Thursday when Virginia visits Finneran Pavilion at 7 p.m.
