© Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images / © Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Villanova basketball team lost its season opener to seventh-ranked BYU, 71-66. Freshman guard Acaden Lewis logged 22 minutes of action.
He was benched early in the second half, spending the final 15 minutes of regulation on the sidelines. His father responded to head coach Kevin Willard’s decision after the fact.
The Wildcats officially entered a new era with Willard at the helm. The coach comes over from Maryland where he led the Terps to a Sweet 16 appearance last season.
He hopes to revive a Villanova program that’s missed the NCAA Tournament three straight times.
Acaden Lewis expects to play a role in that turnaround effort. The newcomer was the crowned jewel of the 2025 recruiting class.
Who is Acaden Lewis?
The Washington, DC native was considered a four-star prospect and a Top 50 player in his cycle.
He was heavily recruited by notable programs, taking official visits to Duke, Louisville, Michigan, UConn, Kentucky, St. John’s, Miami, and Georgia.
Initially, he committed and enrolled to play for Mark Pope in Lexington. He backed off that Kentucky commitment in April and later signed with Villanova.
Lewis expects to have a large role in the rotation. He started at the two-spot in the season opener against the Cougars.
In that debut, the guard was up and down. He scored five points, dished out three assists, and pulled down a pair of boards. He was 1/6 shooting and 2/4 from the free throw line.
Struggles eventually led to his benching. Kevin Willard opted to go in a different direction during the second half.
Acaden Lewis’s dad reacted to that decision on social media.
Jarrett Lewis made an interesting post online.
Checking in on Villanova after game one under Kevin Willard. The father of freshman point guard Acaden Lewis, who Maryland also recruited, weighs in via Instagram: pic.twitter.com/Oj5k2hyZLU
— Inside Maryland Sports (@Terrapins247) November 5, 2025
He “shouted out” Kevin Willard for sending his son to the bench. That response caused a bit of confusion on the timeline.
You’ll notice that the post was screenshotted by a Maryland sports account. Many still feel scorned by Willard’s highly publicized rejection last year.
The Terps viewed Lewis’s post as a slight to Willard, claiming he’d caused drama after just one game.
Others with a less skewed outlook, however, thought Jarrett Lewis was being sincere. He applauded Willard for the benching, signaling that nothing will be handed to the Wildcats’ top recruit. Everything must be earned.
The post is up for interpretation. You can believe what you choose to believe.
Kevin Willard’s job is to win basketball games at Villanova. He will continue to play the lineup that gives him the best chance to succeed, regardless of parent opinion.
Despite the season opening struggles, Acaden Lewis expects to have a major role moving forward.