Through the first three games of the regular season, the V in Villanova has stood for Victory.
With convincing wins of 15, 18, and 39 points, the Cats have made it look pretty easy.
Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Albany, Fordham, and Niagara have hardly been the level of opponent that Villanova will see from teams in a perpetually tough Big Five city series, game-in game-out through the brutal Big East season, or against Texas in NYC. They are however, important games for the Wildcats to find their rhythm.
Nova started the season without senior Shane Clark; then lost forward Dwayne Anderson (who is out for at least several weeks). In the last two games center Casiem Drummond has played a total of just two minutes. If Nova had started off the season with some really tough opponents, they could easily have a few losses under their belt.
Against Albany Friday night, the Cats had six players score in double digits and really spread the ball around. They were only +1 on the boards but had a much better assist to turnover ratio than Albany.
Against Fordham this past Monday, Dante Cunningham had his senior coming out party. He scored a career high 31 points and pulled down double digit rebounds. Four other Wildcats scored in double digits including 17 points apiece from the Coreys (Fisher and Stokes). Reynolds and Fisher got into foul trouble early and the cats were forced to use Reggie Redding as a point guard briefly.
If this had happened against a top 25 team, Villanova might have lost. Redding is not the world's best ball handler. Luckily they were playing Fordham, shot over 58% from the field, 50% from behind the arc, and connected on 30 of 36 from the charity stripe.
On Wednesday the Cats faced their toughest opponent when under-sized but gritty Niagara made the trip to the Main Line. The Cats were up by as many as 13 in the first half but led by just six at the half. The lead dropped to as low as two points in the second half before Villanova pulled away to eventually win by 15 (largest lead was 17).
They were led by 19 points from Scottie Reynolds and three other players in double figures (including Reggie Redding, who dropped in a season high 14, starting for Corey Stokes who had an injured thumb and came off the bench to give the Wildcats 27 minutes).
In this game the big story was foul trouble for Nova's big men. With Jay Wright unwilling (or unable) to use Drummond for more than two minutes, Villanova was forced to play under-sized for most of the game. Fisher and Reynolds each played 36 minutes with Redding chipping in 34 minutes. Eventually Clark, Pena, and Cunningham all fouled out.
If Niagara had been a team with any talented big men, Villanova easily could have lost this game as well. Villanova was just +2 on the boards, shot 73.7% from the free-throw line, and had more turnovers than assists. That kind of game would be a recipe for disaster during the Big East season.
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about 1 month ago
Good analysis. Nova won despite not having a full complement of players. Anderson missed his third straight game, Drummond, who missed the Fordham game with a foot problem, was limited to 2 minutes last night, and Stokes was handicapped with a left thumb injury last night. Moreover, Niagara has a good group of guards, including Tyrone Lewis, Rob Garrison and Bilal Benn. Villanova will need Anderson and Drummond to be healthy if they are going to continue to be successful in Big East play.Here is hoping we get to see that.
from about 1 month ago
I totally agree Stephen, Niagara did have some tough guards. If this had been the game that Nova's guards were in foul trouble, the Wildcats could have lost...here's to getting the team healthy again.
about 1 month ago
Relying on Redding in never a good thing for this team. Nova benefited last year when he was phased out of the lineup. I expect it will happen again when they get healthy.
from about 1 month ago
Redding has his moments but is certainly not a starter, nor is he a good ball handler. Every time he brings the ball up court or tries to dribble between defenders I get very nervous.
I think the important thing is that Nova has 2 great point guards, they have Cunningham, Stokes, and Pena who will all contribute big buckets on a nightly basis. Redding, Clark, and and Drummond will be role type players assuming the Cats get (and stay) healthy.
about 1 month ago
WOW!!! Albany, Fordham, and Niagra; now that's something to write about. Why don't you talk about the fact that the 'big 5' is actually the City 6, and Nova has been ducking Drexel for years. This is also the Villanova that broke up the 'big 5' tourney under Rollie because he thought they were too good for the rest of the schools. Villanova is the cancer of basketball in Philadelphia. Those ladies from the main line are a terrible representation of gritty city where nothing comes easy. Their act is old and their superiority complex is nauseating. If you want to watch some REAL Philly Hoops, go see the Drexel Dragons (the kings of 33rd street) or the Temple Owls.
from about 1 month ago
Taking nothing away from Temple, LaSalle, Penn, or Drexel...at this point in time, Villanova IS better. They might get all of their gritty players from the streets of Philadelphia (although Kyle Lowry was as tough as they come) but just because they play on the Main Line doesn't mean they aren't tough. I live in downtown Philadelphia and know what it's like to be a Philadelphian. I also know a tough group of players when I see them and the Wildcats are the real deal.
Yes, Rollie trying to break up the Big 5 was a crime but it didn't last in the end. The Big 5 games are tough every season. Check out my article "Is Villanova this year's Big East wildcard". I mention how tough the Big 5 is several times. This article was a recap of VILLANOVA's first three games. a recap doesn't talk about the upcoming Big 5 series. That would be a prediction. Thanks for your input.
from about 1 month ago
Yo phanatic. Take it easy. What Rollie did is ancient history. Time for you to get over it. Nova has been playing a full round of games against its City Series rivals for the last several or more years.Villanova has over the last 4 or 5 years totally dominated the Big 5. Chomp on some tastykakes, eat some more scrapple and realize that despite the good things Bill Herrion and Bruiser Flint have done at Drexel , they are not in Villanova's league.
about 1 month ago
Taking nothing away from Temple, LaSalle, Penn, or Drexel...at this point in time, Villanova IS better. They might get all of their gritty players from the streets of Philadelphia (although Kyle Lowry was as tough as they come) but just because they play on the Main Line doesn't mean they aren't tough. I live in downtown Philadelphia and know what it's like to be a Philadelphian. I also know a tough group of players when I see them and the Wildcats are the real deal.
Yes, Rollie trying to break up the Big 5 was a crime but it didn't last in the end. The Big 5 games are tough every season. Check out my article "Is Villanova this year's Big East wildcard". I mention how tough the Big 5 is several times. This article was a recap of VILLANOVA's first three games. a recap doesn't talk about the upcoming Big 5 series. That would be a prediction. Thanks for your input.
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