Kyle Neptune doesn’t believe that the 13-game sample that Villanova fans got of Justin Moore last season is an accurate portrayal of what the veteran guard is capable of.
After all, Moore did start on a Final Four team in 2022 prior to tearing his achilles in the final seconds of an Elite Eight win over Houston.
“He operated at maybe 70 percent last season,” Neptune said of Moore this week on the College Hoops Today Podcast. “In this new world, it’s amazing that he came back. A lot of guys don’t do that now.”
The 6-4 Moore returned for the Wildcats last season in late January and averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, but was clearly rusty out of the gate. In his first five games, Moore shot just 31.3 percent from the field and 23.3 percent from three-point range. He averaged 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists two seasons ago when Villanova reached the Final Four.
“With an offseason and a preseason, I think he can make a huge jump for us,” Neptune added regarding Moore’s upside for the upcoming year.
The Wildcats were ranked FOURTH in this week’s Big East Offseason Breakdown, with Moore tabbed as one of five players who were on the All-Big East Preseason First-Team.
Leftovers
- Episode 478 — Marquette’s Shaka Smart
- SEC staying at 18 league games, will not expand to 20
- Early season All-Americans for the 2024-25 college basketball season
- The Breakfast Buffet: Illinois/Missouri, Auburn’s dominance, Liam McNeeley
- The Breakfast Buffet: The CBS Sports Classic, Memphis begins a key home stand against Mississippi State, Purdue/Auburn
