Feb. 9, 1999
VILLANOVA, Pa. - As the Wildcats prepare for the stretch run to the NCAA Tournament, here are some quick facts about the squad:
ON THE REBOUND: Villanova equaled its 1997-98 win total of 12 on Jan. 13. To date it owns 18 victories. That represents more wins than 11 of the teams ranked in the Feb. 7 Associated Press and ESPN/CNN Top 25 polls. The Wildcats, incidentally, recieved 105 points in the most recent AP poll, leaving them two spots removed from the top 25.
RPI APPROVED: In the most recent RPI report, Villanova is ranked No. 28. The Wildcats have spent the entire season in the top 50 of the RPI.
TRIPLE THREATS: The Wildcats are 8-2 over their past 10 contests, including a 75-60 win over Syracuse at the Carrier Dome on Feb. 7. In that span, Villanova is 96-of-225 from beyond the 3-point arc (.427). Five different Cats are in double figures in 3-point field goals made (Howard Brown, T.J. Caouette, John Celestand, Brian Lynch and Jermaine Medley).
TOP OF THE WORLD: Villanova captured the Top of the World Classic title in November. Included in that field were: Wisconsin (19-5), Arkansas (16-7), Virginia (13-11), New Mexico State (13-6), Washington State (8-12) and Nebraska (15-8). The Wildcats defeated both Arkansas (76-63) and Nebraska (75-60) handily. Villanova's only non-Division I game of the campaign, came as a result of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks' upset of Washington State in the first round. UAF also defeated New Mexico State on its home floor.
TEAMWORK: No fewer than six different Wildcats have led the team in scoring this year. Currently four players, Howard Brown (13.7), John Celestand (13.0), Brian Lynch (10.4) and Malik Allen (10.3) own double figure scoring averages.
CHANGES: Since freshman Brooks Sales was inserted into the starting lineup on Jan. 13 in place of Rafal Bigus, the Wildcats are 7-1.
THE REVIEWS: "Anybody who has an inside/outside game like that is going to be tough to play against. They're a team that is playing with a lot of confidence." - Rutgers coach Kevin Bannon.
"I thought nationally that Villanova was underrated coming into the season. All the geniuses picked a pool of 64 (teams) and I didn't see them. But looking at the tapes, that as fast a team as we'll play. They're fast. They're aggressive. They play like a carefree style. To hold that team to 61 points, I can't complain about defense." - St. Joseph's coach Phil Martelli.
BIG WINS: Villanova is 2-2 against the top 25 this season. It defeated Arkansas (then No. 19), lost at Connecticut (then No. 1), dropped a Jan. 5 game to Syracuse (then No. 22) and avenged that with a win over the Orange on Feb. 7, at which point SU was ranked No. 16.
