The rebuild under Kyle Neptune hit a harsh reality check Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center, where Villanova’s early-season promise crumbled in a stunning 78-65 loss to crosstown rival La Salle.
The defeat dropped the Wildcats to 4-3 and exposed the fragility of Neptune’s retooled roster. After building a 58-55 lead with 12 minutes remaining, they collapsed spectacularly—getting outscored 23-7 down the stretch in a performance that felt like a throwback to last season’s growing pains.
Burton’s Struggles Epitomize Offensive Woes
Tyler Burton, the Richmond transfer brought in to be the primary scoring threat, looked nothing like the player who averaged 16.3 points last season. The 6-foot-7 junior managed just 11 points on an ugly 4-of-13 shooting night, coughing up five turnovers in the process.
It’s become a troubling pattern—Burton has now shot under 40 percent in four of seven games, raising questions about whether he can handle being the focal point of opposing defenses.
“We’re still figuring out our identity,” Burton admitted afterward, his frustration evident. “Tonight we got away from what’s been working for us. Credit to La Salle—they came ready to play.”
The numbers tell the story of an offense still searching for itself: 39.6 percent shooting, a dismal 6-for-22 from beyond the arc. Even sophomore point guard Mark Armstrong, who’s been a bright spot with his court vision, couldn’t steady the ship despite 14 points and six assists. His four turnovers came at the worst possible moments.
Explorers Execute Perfect Game Plan
While the Wildcats floundered, La Salle looked like a team that knew exactly what it wanted to accomplish. The Explorers forced 18 turnovers and turned them into 24 points, suffocating Villanova’s guards with relentless pressure.
Khalil Brantley torched the Wildcats for 22 points, drilling four second-half threes that turned a tight game into a rout. The senior guard’s shot-making in crunch time was the difference—each make seeming to deflate whatever confidence the visitors had left.
“Our guys executed the game plan perfectly,” said second-year coach Fran Dunphy Jr., whose Explorers improved to 5-2. “We knew we had to pressure their guards and make them uncomfortable. When you force a team like Villanova into tough shots, good things usually happen.”
Josh Nickelberry dominated inside, posting 16 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double. The 6-foot-9 center had his way in the paint, where La Salle outscored the Wildcats 38-22.
Neptune’s Vision Still Coming Into Focus
This was supposed to be the season Neptune’s vision started taking shape. Five transfers joined the program, headlined by Burton and Western Kentucky graduate Eric Dixon. Dixon delivered the lone bright spot Tuesday with 18 points and eight rebounds, but one player can’t mask systemic issues.
The chemistry problems that plagued last season’s 18-16 disappointment are clearly still lurking beneath the surface. Too many possessions ended with players trying to create individually rather than trusting the system.
“We have to get back to basics,” Neptune said, taking responsibility. “Too many guys trying to do too much instead of playing within the system. That’s on me to coach better.”
Big East Reality Check Looming
Conference play begins next week against Butler, and this loss raises serious questions about Villanova’s readiness. They were already projected to finish sixth in the Big East preseason poll—a humbling drop for a program that captured national titles in 2016 and 2018.
The loss marked just the second time since 2009 that La Salle has beaten their Big 5 rival. The Explorers hadn’t won this matchup since December 2018, making Tuesday’s result even more jarring.
Penn State visits Saturday for the final non-conference home game before Big East play opens December 30. After this reality check, Neptune knows his team needs to find answers fast—or risk watching the season spiral before it really begins.
