KING HELPS 'NOVA CONQUER 'HOLY WAR' TILT IN PALESTRA

Villanova contines their 'City Series' dominance as 'Nova Outlast St. Joseph's in Big 5 Rivalry (Philadelphia Daily News), 97-89.

St. Joseph's Hangs Around for 40 Minutes (Philly Daily News) but 'Nova Counters Each Hawk Punch (Patriot News) to earn the win at the Palestra on the UPenn campus in their annual 'Holy War' contest.

Most of the counter punching came from the shooting tough of Taylor King from beyond the arc. King hit four key three-pointers, each seemingly when the Hawks were trying to climb back into the game. Perfecting the pick and pop, King scored 20 points and added 9 rebounds off the bench. The Duke transfer has found a home in Jay Wright's attack with his understanding of how to pick his spots for his lethal jumper.

Scottie Reynolds led the Wildcats with 22 points and Antonio Pena scored 15. Junior Corey Fisher added 13 points and 6 assists in the win.

Next up for the Wildcats is another City Series game with Temple on Sunday afternoon.

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VILLANOVA FLEXES BACKCOURT MUSCLE IN WIN OVER TERPS

Villanova flexed their perimeter muscle playing at the Verizon Center on Sunday night against Maryland in the BB&T Classic. Deep-Shooting 'Nova Outlasts Maryland (Philadelphia Inquirer) by making 16 of 39 three-pointers in a 95-86 win over the Terps.

The Wildcats also were able to outrebound Maryland 45-33 and forced 19 turnovers. Senior Scottie Reynolds paced the offense scoring 25 points as Nova's Reynolds is Right at Home (DelCo Times) as Reynolds grew up roughly 25 miles from Washington in Herndon (VA).

Sophomore backcourt mate Corey Fisher contributed 20 points and four assists, was 4-for-6 beyond the arc and ignited an 8-0 run late in the game after Maryland (5-3) cut the deficit to 61-58 with 13 minutes, 33 seconds to go in the game.

Villanova Makes Quick Work of Maryland (Philly Daily News) racing out to a 49-38 halftime lead by making 11 three's in the game's first 20 minutes. Corey Stokes added 18 and Taylor King scored 13 in the win.

The Wildcats are back in action Wednesday against city rival St. Joe's.

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VILLANOVA ROUTS LOCAL RIVAL DREXEL

Villanova continues to plow forward, even with freshman center Mouphtau Yarou sidelined indefinitely with Hepatitis B and are 7-0 after beating Drexel last night 77-58. Villanova Rolls Over Drexel (Delco Times) behind 19 points and 11 rebounds from Antonio Pena and 16 from Taylor King off the bench. The 'Nova 'd' was impressive, too, as Villanova Stifles Drexel (Philadelphia Inquirer), holding the Dragons to 18 first half points and just 31 percent shooting from the field for the game.

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MOUPHTAU YAROU COULD MISS SEASON DUE TO ILLNESS

Villanova began the season as a Big East favorite and was widely expected to be a final four contender. With a mix of experienced guards and a nationally acclaimed recruiting class, Jay Wright's squad had a mix of established veterans and high potential newcomers. One player expected to play a huge role in the improvement of the team as they progressed from November into the Big East schedule and in their preparation for the post season was 6-foot-10, 250-lb freshman Mouphtau Yarou. However, Illness May Cost 'Nova's Yarou the Season (DelCo Times). The viral infection that sent him home from Puerto Rico during the Purto Rico Tip-off Tournament could force the center from Benin to miss the remainder of the season.

“Obviously, it’s very serious,” Wright told the DelCo Times by phone on Monday. “We know what it is, but we’re just not ready to say exact what it is until we have all the facts. We won’t be able to do that for a few days. We’re awaiting the final evaluation from the medical experts.”

Yarou will definitely not play when the third-ranked Wildcats (6-0) entertain Drexel (3-4) Wednesday night at the Pavilion, it will be the fifth straight game he has missed.

The loss of Yarou could mean more playing time for Maurice Sutton. The 6-11 redshirt freshman has been solid in the first six games. He has started three times is averaging 4.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and nearly two blocked shots a game.

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QUESTIONS RAISED ON AGE, ELIGIBILITY OF MOUPHTAU YAROU

An odd story concerning Villanova circulates this morning as Questions About Age of Moupthau Yarou Arise according to Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News.

Multiple sources pointed Sporting News to an item on the website for FIBA—basketball's international governing body—that listed a Mouphtaou Yarou, age 23, as competing in a 2007 Africa club tournament.

If Yarou were 25 now rather than 19, as his bio on the Villanova website indicates, it would be possible he could be ineligible to compete for the Wildcats. If it were the same person and the FIBA age is correct, this could jeopardize Yarou's college basketball eligibility. NCAA rule 14.2.3.5 states that in each year an athlete enters any organized competition beyond his 21st birthday, the athlete sacrifices one year of eligibility.

Villanova is currently not concerned with the issue as they have received his passport, his naturalization papers and his international student athlete form which report him as being born in 1990. A compliance official, according to the Sporting News, plans to speak with the freshman big man about the issue.

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VILLANOVA BLASTS DUKE IN SWEET 16

March 26, 2009


It is an all-Big East final in the East Regional with a ticket to the Final Four for either Pittsburgh or Villanova. The Wildcats earned their spot in the Elite 8 with a thorough beating of Duke, 77-54, at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.

After playing two games at 'home' in the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Jay Wright's club took their NCAA Tournament show on the road and buried the Blue Devils of the ACC with good ole Big East toughness and defense.

"I think kind of everything fell into place for us," said Villanova coach jay Wright following the game. "When we got a lead to start the second half, they had to press. And we made the plays."

After a defensive struggle in the first half, which saw 'Nova clinging to a 26-23 lead at the half, the Wildcats unleashed a fury on both ends of the court that quickly buried the Blue Devils, much to the delight of a well represented Wildcat crowd.

"You know, we like to call it Nova Nation, it's everywhere," Dante Cunningham said following the win. "It was great to hear everyone behind us yelling and screaming."

After Duke cut the lead to 26-25 after the break, The Wildcats went on a 23-8 run, capped to take a commanding 49-33 lead with 12:25 remaining.

The unrelenting Villanova defensive pressure limited Duke to 16-60 shooting in the game, 26.7%. Often, the Blue Devils had absolutely nothing created during a full 35-second possession and were left launching prayers just to get a shot off.

"We all knew we can score," said Scottie Reynolds, who had a game-high 16 points. "We knew we could put points on the board, but it's going to be those times where we're not going to be able to score and we have to do it on the defensive end. And I think everyone has taken pride on that and likes to come back on defense and try to get stops."

Villanova also had nine players score, all with at least four points, and in one 12-1 run that really stretched the lead and put the game away, six different Wildcats scored the 12 points.

"I think that's been the strength of our team, is really having 8 scorers," said coach Wright. "It is -- it's really fun coaching a team when you know one or two guys aren't hitting shots, you know you've got five others that can make shots and make plays. What we're starting to do now is all eight of those guys are playing consistently defensively. That's what's making us really good."

Next up for Villanova is a familiar foe, Pittsburgh. The two teams met once this season and Villanova got past the Panthers 67-57 in the closing of the Spectrum. Tune in Saturday to see if they can make it two in a row!

"We know that they're going to come out tough, we've played them before," said Cunningham, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds against Duke, of Pitt. "We won the first one, but we're not going to take them lightly."

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VILLANOVA NCAA TOURNAMENT NOTES

March 25, 2009


Complete with a Jay Wright photo sporting the short shorts of the day, the Philadelphia Daily News' Rich Hoffman writes that Villanova Coach Wright's Mettle Was Forged as a Senior at Bucknell where he came off the bench for coach Charlie Woollum.

The importance of Corey Fisher to the 'Nova basketball team has been documented often down the stretch this season. Fisher was awarded the conference's 6th-man Award at the awards banquet and Fisher's Body of Work has been Strong for Villanova (Courier-Post). A key to his rise in his sophomore campaign has been a new dedication to better eating habits and taking care of his body to play at the highest level of college basketball. The difference in his ability to defend has earned him more time, which allowed more offensive opportunities which has led to renewed confidence.

If I was Duke, watch out for Scottie Reynolds Thursday night. He could be ready to strike after a couple not-so-Reynolds-like offensive performances in the opening rounds. With a deeper pool of offensive talent supporting the junior, No Scoring is No Problem for 'Nova's Reynolds (Evening Bulletin) as he is doing what is needed for his team to win and advance. Be rest assured, when the need arises, he will be ready!

Here is a nice Philly Daily News story on sophomore Corey Stokes: Hoops Has Taken Stokes from Nerf to 'Nova.

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VILLANOVA REACHES SWEET 16 AGAIN

March 21, 2009

In the day's first game in he Wachovia Center, Villanova took on 6th-seed UCLA, who had a streak of three consecutive NCAA Final Fours on the line.


The Wildcats made sure there would not be a fourth consecutive trip as they waxed the Bruins 89-69 to advance to the Sweet 16 for the 2nd consecutive season and fourth time in the last five years.

"I just think our guys really just were aggressive for 40 minutes," Villanova coach jay wright said of his team's performance on Saturday. "Our defense, for us that was good defense. That was really good defense. And we played it for 40 minutes."

Villanova used a balanced attack, placing six players in double figures, led by senior Dante Cunningham's double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Dwayne Anderson also posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds as the Wildcats out-rebounded Ben Howland's club 41-28 in the game.

"I think our defense and our offensive rebounding probably was the difference," said Wright.

Also in double figures for 'Nova was Reggie Redding and Corey Fisher with 13, Corey Stokes with 12 and Scottie Reynolds added 11.

By forcing 18 turnovers and dominating the boards, Villanova gave themselves 20 more shot opportunities, which translated into the difference in the game.

"I thought that Villanova played great today and really handled us," said UCLA coach Ben Howland. "They out boarded us. We had too many turnovers."

Next up for Villanova is a trip to Boston where they will meet Duke in the East Regional semifinals. The Blue Devils escaped a tussle in Greensboro Saturday night against Texas.

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VILLANOVA BACKCOURT COMES TOGETHER FOR NCAA RUN

March 18, 2009


Reggie Redding came to Villanova with the reputation of a player known to put the ball in the basket at high levels. Afterall, no No St. Joseph's Prep player had ever scored more points than his 1,568. With the Wildcats, however, other players can score the ball as well, but the 6-foot-5 junior guard Redding Accepts His Role for Villanova (Philadelphia Daily News), even if it is one that has stunned Speedy Morris, his former high school coach. Redding has become a defensive stopper for Jay Wright's squad, something Morris did not see coming from his former star, who was not much of a defender back at St. Joseph's Prep.

With Scottie Reynolds and Corety Fisher adding the perimeter firepower, Redding chips in offensively when the opportunity arises. In fact, Villanova is Enjoying Fisher's Growth Spurt Heading into NCAA Tournament (Philly Daily News) as the sophomore guard's adapting to his role at Reynolds' side has fine tuned the 'Nova backcourt with each player finding the niche that has led to the highly successful run through the later half of their Big East schedule.

The evolution of his backcourt mates has allowed Reynolds to grow his game as well. As a freshman, he was a great scorer that sometimes would get too caught up in the challenge of outscoring the opposing guard that he could be out of control. Now, even though his numbers have dipped in the offensive production categories, Reynolds' complete Game Transcends Numbers (Philly Inquirer) and 'Nova is a better team for it!

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VILLANOVA CLAIMS BIG EAST FOURTH SPOT WITH SENIOR NIGHT ROMP OVER PC

March 6, 2009


The was plenty at stake last night at the Pavilion on the Villanova campus when the Wildcats hosted Providence in the Big East regular season finale for both clubs. A win for 'Nova would clinch a cherished top-four finish in the Big East standings. For the Friars, a win would go a long way in putting them on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.

With the emotion and energy of their fans honoring seniors Dwayne Anderson, Shane Clark, Dante Cunningham and Frank Tchuisi, all playing their final home game, Villanova Cruises to Win and Byes (Philadelphia Inquirer) in rounds one and two of the Big East Tournament by locking up fourth place in the conference with a 97-80 win over PC.

Junior Scottie Reynolds led the Wildcats with 23 points and Cunningham and Anderson made their final appearance in the Pavillion, where Villanova has won 28 straight, memorable by scoring 19 points a piece as Villanova Earns Byes and Nearly a Week Off With Win over Providence (Philly Daily News). 'Nova's next action will come Thursday in the 2009 Big East Tournament with a 2 PM game at Madison Square Garden.

Sophomores Corey Fisher (13 points) and Corey Stokes (11 points) also reached double figures and junior Reggie Redding led the unselfish Wildcats with 11 assists and zero turnovers. As a team, Jay Wright's squad had an impressive 26:7 assist to turnover ratio in the contest with assists on 74% of their made field goals.

By contrast, Providence turned the ball over 22 times and helped lead to VU getting 17 more field goal attempts in the game as the Friars Miss Chance Make their Case for an NCAA Bid (Providence Journal) and will likely have work to do in next week's Big East Tournament to keep from falling off the bubble and into the NIT.

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March 3, 2009


Notre Dame has been working at digging out of the hole that a seven-game losing streak had caused. There seemed to be some progress of rebuilding the season from the ruins of a failed top 10 team, but the Irish NCAA Hopes takes Another Hit (Post-Tribune), and this one could be fatal, as it appears the Irish are Likely Headed to the NIT After Bad Loss to 'Nova (South Bend Tribune) on the Joyce Center court Monday night.

Villanova and ND played to a 32-all first half tie as a mountain of Irish turnovers prevented ND from taking a lead at the break.

The second-half was a different story as No. 11 Villanova Pounds Notre Dame (Chicago Tribune), outscoring the Irish 45-28 in the second half on the way for a 77-60 win.

'Nova junior Scottie Reynolds scored 23 points and senior Dante Cunningham added 18 for the Wildcats who shot 45% from the field and committed just five turnovers in the entire game.

The Wildcats, coming off a weekend loss at home to Georgetown, earned their 12th conference win and keeps the pressure on the Big East 'top four' in the race for a double-bye for the 2009 Big East Tournament. The Wildcats will close the regular season with a home game against Providence later this week. Villanova Responds to Beat Notre Dame (Philadelphia Daily News) and looks to regain their momentum into the postseason.

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DOME SWEEP DOME FOR VILLANOVA

February 23, 2009


Villanova and Syracuse highlighted Sunday's Big East schedule with an afternoon showdown at the Carrier Dome televised by CBS nationally. The Wildcats withstood a late flurry of potential game-tying three's as Villanova Survives Syracuse, 89-86 (Philadelphia Daily News), sweeping the season two-game home and home with the Orange.

Senior Dwayne Anderson led six Wildcats in double figures with 22 points.

In front of an excited crowd of nearly 27,000 partisan to the home team, Villanova Turns on the Defense Against Syracuse (Philadelphia Inquirer) to ignite an 11-0 run to answer an Orange run that saw them erase a 10-point deficit to take a 59-57 lead midway through the second half.

Reggie Redding was the defensive catalyst, picking up two of his six steals at the beginning of the run, in helping 'Nova regain control of the game. Redding also added 11 points and a team-high 7 assists in the game.

Villanova, 10-4 in the Big East and 22-5 overall, also got 15 points from senior Shane Clark and sophomore Corey Fisher and 12 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists from senior Dante Cunningham. Scottie Reynolds added 10 in the win.

Nova finishes up the regular season with a trip to DePaul this week before a Saturday-Monday pair with Georgetown (home) and Notre Dame (road) before closing with Providence ahead of the 2009 Big East Tournament.

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VILLANOVA WINS ON SENIOR NIGHT OVER RU

February 20, 2009


Villanova got back in the win column following a loss in their last game by extending the misery of Rutgers under Fred Hill. Villanova Shakes off Loss With Win over Rutgers (Philly Daily News) as the Wildcats Claw Past Knights (Asbury Park Press) on 'Senior Night' for Villanova.

A 24-7 run by Villanova put the game in their control after Rutgers took a brief 54-52 lead around the 10-minute mark of the second-half. Twenty turnovers were the biggest downfall for the Knights as Rutgers Loses to No. 12 Villanova, 82-72 (Star-Ledger).

Scottie Reynolds had a game-high 21 points for 'Nova as the Wildcats improve to 9-4 in the Big East and 21-5 overall. Corey Stokes added 17 and Corey Fisher 14 in the win. The sophomore duo played their high school basketball in New Jersey and came off the bench to key the big run that decided the game for VU.

Freshman Mike Rosario had a team-high 19 for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights shot a season-best (in Big East play) 52% from the field and found the range from three-point range, shooting 10-22, but Villanova forced 20 turnovers and out-rebounded RU on the offensive boards 14-5, which led to 13 more shot attempts for Villanova and the difference in the game.

Seniors Dante Cunningham (12 points), Dwayne Anderson (8 points), Shane Clark (6 points) and Frank Tchuisi (0 points) were all in the starting line-up last night for 'Nova.


Villanova, who was smacked by WVU in their previous game, 93-72, meets Syracuse Sunday afternoon in the Dome for a nationally televised contest on CBS.

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VILLANOVA STAYS HOT, OUTGUNS MARQUETTE

February 11, 2009


Heading into the game last night between Villanova and Marquette it seemed perfectly reasonable that each team had a backcourt that would make scoring tough on the other. That assumption turned out to be incorrect as Villanova Lights it up Again (TimesHerald) in a convincing 102-84 win over the Golden Eagles.

Just days after scoring 102 in a win over SU, Villanova Pads It's Resume With Win over Marquette (Philadelphia Daily News), their sixth win in a row as they move to 8-3 in the Big East and 20-4 overall. The Red-Hot Wildcats are Clicking on All Cylinders (Evening Bulletin) offensively as they got a game-high 27 points from Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher added 21 with Shane Clark (16), Dante Cunningham (15) and Dwayne Anderson (10) also reaching double figures.

Jerel McNeal led Marquette with 23 points and became the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Golden Eagles' illustrious program, however, the Defense Falters on McNeal's Record Night (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) as 'Nova shoots 59% from the floor and hits 13 of 24 three's. The Wildcats also had a 32-7 advantage in bench scoring and outrebounded the Golden Eagles by a 37-29 margin.

Lazar Hayward had 22 points and 9 rebounds for MU with Wesley Mathews adding 16 and Dominic James scoring 14 and adding 9 assists. However, after the main four, only nine points were contributed fromt he rest of the team as Villanova Outruns No. 10 Marquette (Philadelphia Inquirer).

While the guard trio of Marquette continues to get a lot of well-deserved recognition and attention, the Villanova group of backcourt players definitely were up to the challenge and their defense and improving offensive production is definitely making it clear that the Guards are Making 'Nova a Threat (phillyburbs.com) in the Big East and nationally.

Not a lot of rest ahead for the Wildcats who have a 9 PM Friday night date against West Virginia in Morgantown.

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VILLANOVA SERVES ORANGE CRUSH AT WACHOVIA CENTER

February 7, 2009


Speaking of a Big East stunner. Jim Boehiem had to be absolutely stunned at his team's lack of effort on the defensive end as Syracuse watched Villanova score early and often against little resistance in what turned out to be a 102-85 blowout win for the Wildcats.

Dante Cunningham Helps Bury SU (Post-Standard) as the 'Nova senior pours in 31 points and Villanova Comes Up Big Against Syracuse (Philadelphia Inquirer).

The Wildcats shot 55% from the field and out-rebounded SU 46-35. Corey Stokes had 16 and Corey Fisher 14 off the bench and Shane Clark added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds helping 'Nova move to 7-3 in the Big East with their fifth win in a row.

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VILLANOVA FIGHTS OFF FRIAR RALLY TO WIN

February 5, 2009


This one was not looking like it was going to come down to the wire, but Villanova Escapes Providence With a Win (Philadelphia Daily News) after PC's Furious Rally Falls Just Short Against Villanova (Providence Journal), 94-91.

Villanova seemed in control of this one throughout, leading 49-34 at the half and stretched it to as much as 20 in the second half before Providence began to rally. The Friars cut the lead to just a point, 92-91, on a Weyinmi Efejuku three-pointer with two second left. However, the Wildcats were able to get the ball into the hands of Scottie Reynolds who sunk two free throws and PC did not get off a final shot before the buzzer.

The Cats Hang on to Post a Victory Over Providence (Philadelphia Inquirer) with the junior Reynolds scoring 31, making 13 of 15 from the foul line. Senior Dwayne Anderson added 19 points and 10 rebounds and Dante Cunningham and Reggie Redding each provided 12 points and 11 rebounds as 'Nova won the battle of the boards, 50-38.

Villanova is now 6-3 in the Big East and the No. 17th ranked Wildcats host Syracuse on Saturday and then welcome in Marquette on Tuesday.

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'NOVA CLOSES SPECTRUM WITH UPSET OF PITT

January 29, 2009


It was just what Jay Wright's Villanova squad needed last night. With over 17,000 fans packed into the Spectrum, the Wildcats gave the venue a Fond Farewell (phillyburbs.com) as Villanova Beats Pitt for a Signature Win (Philadelphia Inquirer), something that had alluded the No. 21 ranked team to this point.

It was only fitting that in the final basketball game scheduled at the Spectrum, one of Philly's own led the way as Reggie Redding scored a career-high 18 points as Redding Helps Upset Pitt (Times-Herald), 67-57. Dante Cunningham added 15 points for the winners.

The win provided a Nice Parting Gift for the Spectrum (Philly Daily News) and 'Nova improved to 4-3 in the Big East and 16-4 overall on the season.

Pittsburgh, who has played five of their first eight conference games on the road, fell to 6-2 in the Big East and are now 18-2 overall. Poor Shooting and Foul Troubles Doomed Pitt (Tribune-Review) in this one, much like it did in their previous loss to Louisville.

DeJuan Blair was limited to just 20 minutes because of fouls and fellow frontcourt starter Tyrell Biggs played just 17. Pitt led 19-9 with 8:35 left in the 1st half and seemed to be in complete control when Blair picked up his second foul and sat the rest of the half. 'Nova jumped back into the game with a 17-6 run over 6 minutes before a quick six points by Gilbert Brown before halftime allowed Pitt to take a 31-26 lead at the half.

The fouls continued for Pitt in the second half as Biggs and Blair both picked up their third just minutes into the half and Villanova started to take control of the game and once Blair picked up his fourth, a 7-0 'Nova run gave them a 55-48 lead as the game headed to the stretch, where VU iced it from the foul line.

Sam Young led Pitt with 14 points and 9 rebounds and Philly native Brad Wanamaker added 13, before eventually fouling out. The Panthers turned the ball over 17 times.

With Blair on the bench, the Panthers energy seemed to dwindle as the game went along and the Spectrum crowd kept Villanova attacking in the second half and helped pull out the win.

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VILLANOVA FALLS TO 2-3 IN BIG EAST

Villanova had opportunities to earn that first statement win of the season, however a hot-shooting first half only allowed the Wildcats to keep pace with Connecticut. The hot-shooting would not last and in the end UConn's AJ Price Scores Career-High 29 Points to beat 'Nova (NY Daily News), 89-83, on Wednesday night.

Price's 29-point effort came on the heels of his 23-point outing in a win Sunday over Seton Hall. It was the first time this season that Price put back-to-back strong offensive outings, showing more signs that AJ is Just What UConn Kneeds (New Haven Register) as we head towards the midway point of conference play.

Price scored 20 of his 29 in the first half as both teams scored at will, going into halftime knotted at 48-all. The Wildcats hung even with UConn by shooting 56% in the first half.

Jerome Dyson added 19 points for the winners and his four-point play after being shoved from behind by an intentional foul committed by Corey Stokes gave UConn momentum to make a run to finally put some distance between then and 'Nova as the Huskies Push Back (TheDay.com) to win their sixth straight.

With Hasheem Thabeet limited to just 17 minutes because of foul trouble, Jeff Adrien picked up the slack inside with another double-double (12 points, 14 rebounds) as 'Nova's Rally Falls Short (Philadelphia Inquirer) as the Wildcats only connected on 34% of their shots in the second half.

Villanova was able to put five players in double figures, led by Dwayne Anderson's 15 points, but Villanova Falls Short Against UConn (Philly Daily News) and their strength as the Huskies fixed their foul shooting woes (just 8-18 on Sunday) by connecting on 31 of 39 attempts as the Huskies Hold Off 'Nova (Norwich Bulletin).

Scottie Reynolds scored 14, five coming in the last minute. Corey Stokes, Reggie Redding and Antonio Pena scored 12 points each.

Nova's leading rebounder and scorer, Dante Cunningham, scored just six points with only 3 rebounds as he was limited to 14 minutes of action before fouling out.

Notes:

-UConn held a 37-32 advantage on the boards and both teams turned the ball over 14 times in the contest.

-'Nova committed 26 fouls, leading to the Huskies outscoring the Wildcats 31-18 from the foul line.


-Villanova dips to 2-3 in conference play. They travel to play South Florida at noon on Saturday.

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VILLANOVA GETS PAST SETON HALL

January 7, 2009


by Ray Floriani



NEWARK, NJ – This is going to be the norm in the Big East this winter. Seton Hall, 0-2 after being handled convincingly by Syracuse and West Virginia, takes eighteenth ranked Villanova to the wire before losing in overtime. The visiting Wildcats, who lost at Marquette on NewYear’sDay, earned their first conference win of the season with an 89-85 overtime victory at the Prudential Center.

Three keys to the victory….
• In a shootout between Scottie Reynolds of Villanova and the Hall’s Jeremy Hazell, the former got the edge. Reynolds tied his career high with a 40 point effort. He was effective getting in the lane and on the perimeter(5 of 8 from three)and especially in the stretch as he hit a succession of free throws to seal the verdict. Hazell led the Hall with 26 points but took 24 (9 of 24) shots in the process.

• Defense. Outside of banking in a trey to tie the game with eight seconds to play in regulation, Hazell did most of his damage the first half. He finished with 19 of Seton Hall’s 37 points at the break and was 5 of 10 from three. The second half, Reggie Redding was assigned to Hazell defensively and did a nice of of limiting him and not letting him get into a groove.

• Nova led by eight with four minutes to go and proceeded to score one field goal, Antonio Pena in the lane, the remainder of regulation. Again , overcoming a situation like that on the roads and pulling out the win is very significant.

Finally…
• Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez was encouraged by John Garcia’s 12 board night, but ‘Nova’s Dante Cunningham had another sterling performance with 21 points 13 rebounds, and a number of them coming in crucial junctures. Another sign of encouragement for the Hall was freshman guard Jordan Theodore’s 9 points in eighteen minutes. “Tonight Theodore came of age,” said Gonzalez.

• Matchups. “They are guard oriented,” Gonzalez said of Villanova. “They are a good matchup for us in terms of size. They don’t have that size of a Pitt or Georgetown.”

• Quotes : “Everyone here who follows the Big East is not surprised. People around the country were but with nine ranked teams they follow the conference closer and are beginning to understand St.John’s beating a Notre Dame, these things happen all the time in this league. Hey, it’s fun and you never have to worry about getting up for a game.” – Villanova coach Jay Wright

• “In the Big East matchups and scheduling are important. Georgetown wins at UCONN and now they are 1-2. I’m not happy we are 0-3but a lot of it has to do with matchups and scheduling. Everyone in this conference will lose games.” – Bobby Gonzalez

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VILLANOVA FALLS IN JIMMY V TEST

By Ray Floriani



NEW YORK CITY – A final look back at the Jimmy V Classic.

Score:

Texas 67
Villanova 58


For Villanova this was their first major test of the year. Actually, they faced Rhode Island in the Hoop Group Classic but didn’t get the challenge they expected. Texas provided the measurement . It would be harsh to say the Wildcats failed. Let’s say it was a learning experience.

For one, you can’t go 16 of 25 from the line against a marquee opponent and entertain thoughts of getting a victory as that percentage will lesser your NCAA basketball odds night in and night out.

Another factor was taking care, or not in this case, of the ball. Jay Wright’s club was guilty of 19 turnovers. Again, a problem facing opposition with this pedigree.
On a positive note was the play of Dante Cunningham. Texas posed a huge problem with three 6-10 players in the rotation. The Texas ‘bigs’ are collectively not the greatest skilled but they can bang and wear you down. Cunningham had another nice performance, battling inside and putting up a team high 23 points 12 boards. Dwayne Anderson added 9 boards in relief. The 6-6 senior swingman will have to step up and help inside on a regular basis once Big East play unfolds with a succession of physical challenges.

A.J. Abrams of Texas had a game high 26 points and registered a number of them in the stretch with the game in the balance. Abrams stepped up and hit a succession of big shots, usually on the perimeter, in the stretch. Nova trailed by four points midway through the second half. On several consecutive trips they simply could not get the contest to a one possession game. Thanks largely to Abrams’ clutch shooting.

The game boiled down to defense. Villanova was not able to dig in and get those key stops in the stretch. Chalk it up to game toughness which is something Wright admitted his team needed a little more of. Texas defended well all night long and got those stops.


The Tempo Free breakdown:

...........Score.........Possessions...........Efficiency

Texas........67..............68....................99
Villanova....58..............70....................83

* The Texas defense never rests

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