When ESPN released their start of the season top 25 rankings for 2015-2016, even this writer was surprised to see the team in the top 10, especially given their last two NCAA Tournament performances.

However, unlike last year, where Dylan Ennis was the only new face in the starting lineup, replacing graduating senior James Bell, there must be more transition this year. Darrun Hilliard and JayVaughn Pinkston both graduated and redshirt junior Ennis left via graduate transfer for Oregon. On the other hand, players like Kris Jenkins, Josh Hart, and Phil Booth seem ready to accept larger roles this year, while blue chip prospect Jalen Brunson is thrust into the mix by virtue of his talent and potential as a program-defining player. 

In this author's humble opinion, the question for Head Coach Jay Wright is less about a quick start, dominant regular season success, and the chance for another Big East postseason championship. Rather, with the appropriate strategy and lineup decisions, there is the potential for another Final Four run. 

Coach Wright's starting lineup matters because the holes are there. The Wildcats need at least three new faces to accept greater responsibility alongside senior leaders Ryan Arcidiacono​ and Daniel Ochefu. What this means is that Villanova is looking for players who can complement a steady, clutch point guard leader, and a gifted defensive center with improving offensive skills.

Starting guard/forward

The obvious choice for one of these starting spots is junior swingman Josh Hart. The most outstanding player of the Big East Tournament, Hart was regarded as the so-called "sixth starter" on last season's loaded roster when he won the Big East Conference's Sixth Man of the Year averaging over 10 points, 4 rebounds, and over a steal per game. This year, it seems clear that his offensive and defensive versatility have the potential to make a more consistent and dramatic impact in his first year as a starter.

Starting forward

For this second spot, this author thinks that Coach Wright should look to complement Daniel Ochefu's athleticism and defensive prowess with offensive skill and size. Kris Jenkins fits the bill perfectly here. He was a key contributor off the bench who provided stability, shooting, and versatility in key moments. Averaging six points and two rebounds per game last season, he could develop even more in a starting role this upcoming season.

Starting guard

A hallmark of many Villanova teams is the wealth of skilled combo guards such as Randy Foye, Allan Ray, Scottie Reynolds, and senior Arcidiacono. With the aforementioned Arcidiacono serving as one of the senior leaders of this team, the second guard spot is the most difficult starting role to fill. Sophomore guard Phil Booth made quite an impact last year as the primary backup to Arcidiacono, showing a maturity and poise far beyond his freshman role should have indicated. He would be a safe choice to start alongside Arcidiacono, with the incoming freshman Brunson playing the role of sixth man. 

The bolder choice would be to start potential and talent in the form of Jalen Brunson. As a part of the the USA U19 team playing in Greece, Brunson made quite an impression, scoring a game-high 30 points in the semifinals against home team Greece, and delivering a magnificent 14 point, 7 assist, 0 turnover game against Croatia in the Championship game. To this author's eyes, he stood out in the most important moments from the talent-ridden Team USA roster, and clearly appeared to be a crucial player whose skill set appeared tailor-made for Villanova.

The challenge of starting Brunson is that the adjustment of major college competition could lead to a slower start to the season for the Wildcats than if Booth got the job. There would seem to be less pressure and more shots for Brunson off the bench. However, for the Wildcats faithful, and the rest of the country, it certainly seems that a fast start means very little, and a winning streak even less. 

If the goal is getting to the Final Four and winning a national championship, risks should be taken. Brunson's ability makes him a potentially all-time player at Villanova, and he should be allowed to grow to his fullest potential in the starting lineup. Phil Booth, while impressive last year, always comes across as a superb backup whose skill set is great in smaller spurts, while Brunson can control a whole game.

While the choice between Brunson and Booth is important, there is one move that this fan hopes Coach Wright does not make. In past years, Wright has often used three or even four-guard lineups alongside a big man. Starting Arcidiacono, Booth, and Brunson alongside Hart and Ochefu while relegating Jenkins to a reserve role is the worst case scenario. 

What such a move would do is challenge the Wildcats in March where size is often used to neutralize hot shooting, small lineups. Even though the talent and skill is most likely greatest with Arcidiacono, Booth, and Brunson, Kris Jenkins is the x-factor of this team's most versatile lineup. He can spread the floor for Hart, and Brunson, and move Hart to his natural position defensively. He is another body for throw at opposing bigs, and can see the floor well. Jenkins has many of the skills of smaller players and inserting him into a starting lineup of Arcidiacono, Brunson, Hart, and Ochefu, sets the Wildcats up for the best chance of success in March