Feb. 9, 1998
VILLANOVA WILDCATS
(9-12 Overall, 6-6 Big East)
vs.
PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
(8-11 Overall, 3-8 Big East)
Feb. 10, 1998 ~ Villanova, Pa.
The Pavilion (6,500)
7:30 p.m. (ET) ~ Comcast SportsNet
Last Time Out
Villanova: The Wildcats fell to No. 8-ranked Kentucky, 79-63, on Sunday in the CoreStates Center in Philadelphia. Kentucky was led by Nazr Mohammed with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Jeff Sheppard also had 18 and Heshimu Evans posted 17 points. Villanova was led by Howard Brown with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Jermaine Medley who also added 15. Kentucky shot 49.2 percent from the field while Villanova hit 41.4 percent from the floor. Tubby Smith's squad dominated the rebounding battle by a 53-33 margin, and each team committed 19 turnovers in the game.
Pittsburgh: The Panthers stopped a six-game losing skid with an 89-79 victory over Boston College on Sunday in Fitzgerald Field House. Jarrett Lockhart led four Pitt double-figure scorers with a career-high 25 points, while Isaac Hawkins had 19 points and 11 boards. Vonteego Cummings contributed 17 points and Attila Cosby posted 14, helping the Panthers to a 53.3 percent shooting performance from the field. Boston College was limited to only 39.4 percent shooting, including a two-for-11 effort from three. Antonio Granger led BC with 19 points.
Probable Villanova StartersNo. Pos. Name PPG RPG#22 F HOWARD BROWN (Jr., 6-5, 200) 12.5 5.3#50 F T.J. CAOUETTE (So., 6-7, 215) 4.1 1.6#15 C Malik Allen (So., 6-10, 240) 8.9 6.6#10 G JERMAINE MEDLEY (Fr., 6-0, 185) 6.0 1.7#21 G BRIAN LYNCH (So., 6-6, 185) 8.5 2.9Probable Pittsburgh StartersNo. Pos. Name PPG RPG#12 F JARRETT LOCKHART (So.,6-2, 185) 12.8 4.0#21 F ATTILA COSBY (Fr., 6-9, 200) 8.9 4.3#52 C ISAAC HAWKINS (So., 6-8, 210) 14.1 8.6#3 G V. CUMMINGS (Jr., 6-4, 185) 18.6 4.2 #25 G RICARDO GREER (Fr., 6-9, 225) 11.1 6.5
Villanova-Pittsburgh Series Notes
Villanova leads the overall series with Pittsburgh, 23-19, and the Wildcats have won five of the last six meetings between the two teams. It was the Panthers, however, that won last year's contest, posting a 95-89 win in Fitzgerald Field House behind a career-high 40 points from Jason Maile. In Big East regular-season games, Villanova owns a 15-14 edge, and the Wildcats are 5-4 against Pittsburgh in The Pavilion. Villanova head coach Steve Lappas is 7-4 versus Pittsburgh throughout his career.
The CoachesVU Coach Steve Lappas 112-68 (.622) / 6 yrs. (VU) 168-130 (.564) / 10 yrs.UP Coach Ralph Willard 46-61 (.429) / 4 yrs (UP) 127-103 (.552) / 8 yrs. Villanova-Pittsburgh Comparison(21 game VU totals; 19 game UP totals)VU UP1440 Points Scored 1410 68.6 Avg. PPG 74.2 543-1246 FG-FGA 522-1171.436 FG Pct. .446 142-447 3FG-3FGA 117-355.318 3-Pt. Pct. .330212-329 Free Throws 249-350.644 FT Pct. .7111510 Points Allowed 144071.9 Avg. Allowed 75.8768 Total Rebounds 66636.6 Avg. RPG 35.1-3.8 Rebound Margin -1.4339 Assists 28016.1 Avg. APG 13.3370 Turnovers 33317.6 Avg. TO Per Game 15.9143 Steals 1866.8 Avg. SPG 8.9Series FactsRecord in Overtime Games 2-0Series First Meeting 2/11/60Overall Series Record VU 23-19Record in Big East Regular-Season Games VU 15-14Record in Big East Tournament Games 3-1Current Win Streak UP 1
Next Up Villanova: Villanova plays Providence on Saturday, Feb. 14, 1998, in the Providence Civic Center at 7 p.m. The game will air locally in the Philadelphia area on WGTI-TV (Channel 61).
Pittsburgh: The Panthers travel to Hartford, Conn., to take on Connecticut on Feb. 14, 1998, at noon.
Taking Charge
Already having a sensational season, Howard Brown has been even better over the Wildcats last three games, helping his team to two victories. The junior has averaged 17.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 4.3 apg and shot 51.0 percent (25-of-49) from the field during that span of games. Brown matched his career high of 20 points versus Miami on Jan. 31, 1998, hitting eight-of-13 (.615) shots from the field and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. He followed that with a team-high 17 points on eight-of-16 from the field, while against Kentucky, he posted a team-high 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. His nine boards and seven assists are both career-highs, and, his back-to-back eight field goals versus Miami and Connecticut are personal bests as well.
Coming into His Own
Freshman Jermaine played one of his most complete games of the season versus Kentucky on Sunday, posting a team-high 15 points on six-of-10 shooting from the field. It was his highest scoring output in five games since he scored a career-high 17 points versus Miami, and the best shooting effort of his young career. Medley also hit three-of-five from behind the three-point arc, and had two rebounds, two assists and two steals in a career-high 33 minutes.
Home, Sweet, Home The Wildcats have recorded 38-straight sellouts in their on-campus arena, The Pavilion, and boast a record of 96-36 (.727) in the building since it opened in 1986. From the 1994-95 season on, Villanova is 34-4 (.919) in The Pavilion, including a 19-3 (.864) mark in Big East Conference match-ups.
Back-to-Back Versus Ranked Teams
The Wildcats are coming off two-straight games versus top 10 nationally-ranked opponents. Villanova played Connecticut last Monday, when the Huskies were ranked No. 9, and followed that with a contest with No. 8-ranked Kentucky. Prior to last week, the last time Villanova faced consecutive ranked foes was the end of the 1995-96 season when the Wildcats played No. 3 Connecticut in the CoreStates Spectrum (L 59-70) on Feb. 25, 1996, No. 25 Boston College in Conte Forum (W 76-71) on Feb. 27, 1996, and No. 8 Georgetown in USAir Arena (L 68-106) on March 2, 1996.
Lappas Versus Ranked Opponents
Under head coach Steve Lappas, the Wildcats have recorded a mark of 17-19 (.472) against nationally-ranked teams, including a record of 13-12 (.520) over the past four years. This season, the Wildcats are 1-4 against nationally-ranked squads, defeating No. 16 Temple (68-57) on Dec. 16, 1997, and falling to No. 1 Duke on Dec. 10 (L 94-66), No. 21 West Virginia on Jan. 18 (L 65-79 ot), No. 9 Connecticut on Feb. 2 (L 65-80), and No. 8 Kentucky (L 79-63) on Feb. 8.
D-E-F-E-N-S-E
One of Villanova's consistencies this season has been the Wildcats' strong effort on the defensive end of the floor, especially from three-point range. Villanova is currently ranked first in the Big East Conference in three-point defense in overall games, giving up only 27.6 percent of opponent treys, and leads the league in the category in conference games only as well. In league play, the Wildcats are allowing only 28.1 percent of opponent threes.
Twin Towers
Villanova post players Malik Allen and Rafal Bigus are each ranked in the Big East Conference's top 10 in blocked shots. Allen is rated No. 4 overall, registering 1.6 bpg, while Bigus is No. 8 in the league with an average of 1.3 bpg. Their effort in the category has propelled Villanova to a No. 2 team ranking in the statistic with an average of 4.8 per game. Syracuse is the league leader with 5.9 bpg.
More League Rankings
In addition to Villanova's presence in the Big East Conference's blocked shots category, there are several other players that rank among the league leaders. Howard Brown is ranked third in the league in all games in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.6:1.7) and 14th in assists (3.6 apg). In league games only, Brown is fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio, 12th in assists, and fifth in field goal percentage (48.1). John Celestand ranks eighth in assists in all games (4.9 apg) and 13th in steals (1.7), while he's fifth in assists and 10th in steals in league-only games. Jermaine Medley ranks sixth in three-point shooting in conference games, and Malik Allen is 14th in rebounding in overall games.
Zeffy for Three
Senior Zeffy Penn has developed into one of the better shooters on the Wildcat squad this season. The sixth man has averaged 8.0 ppg over the last three games, converting seven-of-16 (.438) from the field and four-of-nine (.444) from three-point range. Against Connecticut, he scored 10 points, his highest scoring output since the fifth game of the season, and he's posted a career-high two three-pointers in two of the last three games. Additionally, the Harrisburg native ranks first on the team in free throw percentage (.839, 26-for-31) and fourth behind the post players in field goal percentage (.462, 42-for-87).
At Home and on the Road in the Big East
Over the last four years (1994-present), Villanova has recorded a mark of 26-6 (.813) at home in Big East Conference regular-season contests. In Big East games in The Pavilion during that time, the Wildcats are 20-3 (.869), while they are 6-3 (.667) in Philadelphia. During the Steve Lappas era at Villanova, the Wildcats are 32-18 (.640) at home in league play, including a stellar 25-12 (.676) in The Pavilion.
The Villanova Wildcats have recorded a mark of 27-25 (.519) on the road in Big East Conference match-ups under Lappas, including a stellar record of 25-18 (.581) over the last four years, and a 3-4 mark this season with wins at Georgetown, Boston College, and Notre Dame.
Big East Season Record Road Home1997-98 6-6 3-4 3-2 (3-1 Pavilion / 0-1 Phila.)1996-97 12-6 5-4 7-2 (4-1 Pavilion / 3-1 Phila.)1995-96 14-4 6-3 8-1 (7-0 Pavilion / 1-1 Phila.)1994-95 14-4 6-3 8-1 (6-1 Pavilion / 2-0 Phila.)1993-94 10-8 5-4 5-4 (4-3 Pavilion / 1-1 Phila.)1992-93 3-15 2-7 1-8 (1-6 Pavilion / 0-2 Phila.)Totals 59-43 27-25 32-18 (25-12 Pavilion / 7-6 Phila.)
Experimenting with the Lineup
Villanova head coach Steve Lappas has utilized six different starting lineups this season, with nine players starting at least one game this season. Currently, the quintet to take the floor at the jump is: Malik Allen, T.J. Caouette, Howard Brown, Brian Lynch, and Jermaine Medley. That group owns a record of 2-2, and did not start versus Connecticut due to the fact that Allen was suffering from a stomach virus. Following are each of Villanova's lineups this season, and the result:
Lineup Record(F) Allen, (F) Penn, (C) Bigus, (G) Lynch, (G) Celestand 0-1(F) Allen, (F) Penn, (C) Bigus, (G) Celestand, (G) Medley 0-1(F) Allen, (F) Brown, (C) Bigus, (G) Celestand, (G) Medley 6-3(F) Allen, (F) Brown, (C) Bigus, (G) Celestand, (G) O'Connor 1-4(F) Caouette, (F) Brown, (C) Allen, (G) Lynch, (G) Medley 2-2(F) Caouette, (F) Brown, (C) Bigus, (G) Lynch, (G) Medley 0-1
Caouette Contributes
The addition of T.J. Caouette to the starting lineup has proven to be an important adjustment for head coach Steve Lappas. By swapping Caouette for seven-footer Rafal Bigus, Lappas has forced opponents to spread the floor and cover Caouette, an excellent long range shooter, on the wing. That has relieved some pressure off the big men and given both Bigus and Malik Allen more room to operate. Caouette is averaging 6.4 ppg in an average of 19.8 mpg since becoming a starter, and has hit seven three pointers in those games. Additionally, over the last two games, Caouette and Zeffy Penn have shared the power forward spot the almost exclusively, leaving Villanova's twin towers in the game together only sparingly.
Comparing the Stats
In comparing the Wildcats' shooting statistics from the field, three-point range, and the foul line, there are drastic differences in games won and lost. In nine victories, the Wildcats have shot lights out, converting over 50 percent from the field, nearly 40 percent from behind the arc and almost 74 percent from the foul line. In fact, in all nine wins the Wildcats shot better than 40 percent from the field, while they have converted less than 42 percent from the field in all 11 losses. From the charity stripe, Villanova is 9-5 when shooting 40 percent or better, and 0-7 when shooting under the 40-percent plateau. Consider this:
Wins LossesField Goal Percentage 51.0 (256-502) 38.5 (287-745) Three-Point Percentage 39.1 (72-184) 26.6 (70-263)Free Throw Percentage 73.6 (128-174) 54.2 (84-155)
Scoring Machine
Since earning the starting nod versus St. John's on Jan. 25, Brian Lynch has become one of the focal points of the Wildcat offensive attack. The Belmar, N.J., native, is averaging 11.8 ppg and 4.2 rpg over those last five games. In Villanova's victory over Notre Dame, Lynch shattered his scoring personal best with a game-high 16 points on seven-for-12 shooting from the field, including a two-for-four performance from three-point range.
O'Connor Sidelined
Marvin O'Connor sprained his ankle on Friday after the Miami game on Jan. 22 and missed the following contests with St. John's, Notre Dame, Miami, and Connecticut. He dressed for the first time in five games versus Kentucky, but did not play. O'Connor had started the five games prior to St. John's and is averaging 5.8 ppg and 2.1 rpg in his rookie season.
Williams, Thomas in the NBA Rookie Game
Former Villanova Wildcats Alvin Williams (1993-97) and Tim Thomas (1997), both in their rookie seasons in the National Basketball Association, have made an impressive start on the next level. Both individuals were selected to play in the Rookie game at the NBA All-Star game, played last Saturday in New York City. It marks the second-straight season that Villanova has been represented in the Rookie game, as Kerry Kittles was selected last season. Entering the All-Star break, Williams was averaging 20.4 mpg, 6.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg, while Thomas has played in 42 games and is averaging 10.6 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 21.4 mpg. Jason Lawson, who played at Villanova from 1993-97, is currently on the injured reserve for the Orlando Magic.
When Malik Scores ...
When sophomore Malik Allen scores in double figures, Villanova is 5-3 on the year, while, in comparison, the Wildcats are 4-9 when he scores less than 10 points per game. On the year, the Medford, N.J., native is averaging 8.9 ppg and has led the team in scoring on four occasions. In Villanova's nine victories, Allen is averaging 11.2 ppg (101 points), while he's averaging 7.2 ppg (86 points) in the Wildcats' 12 defeats.
Lappas and Non-Conference Opponents
Currently in his sixth season at the helm of the Wildcat program, head coach Steve Lappas has posted a mark of 47-20 (.701) versus non-conference opponents during his tenure. In his first year on the Main Line, the Wildcats were 5-3; in 1993-94 Villanova recorded a mark of 10-3 in non-Big East games. In 1994-95, the Wildcats registered a mark of 8-3, and in 1995-96 they were 11-2 out of conference. Last season, Lappas posted a mark of 10-3 in non-league contests, while Villanova is 3-6 in 1997-98.
Strength of Schedule
With top 25 squads Duke, Kentucky, Connecticut, Syracuse and West Virginia dotting the Wildcat 1997-98 slate, Villanova's strength of schedule is ranked No. 5 in the Sagarin Ratings (USA Today) and No. 12 in the RPI report.
75 is the Magic Number
Over the past six seasons under head coach Steve Lappas, the Wildcats are 76-12 (.864) in games where they have scored 75 points or better. In 1996-97, the Wildcats were 15-3 when hitting a score of 75. Last year, Villanova was 16-1 when producing 75+ points. During the 1994-95 season, they tallied a 19-1 record in such games, while they were 13-4 in 1993-94 and 8-3 in 1992-93. Villanova is 5-0 in 1997-98 when they score 75 or better.
Holley to Redshirt
Freshman Johnny Holley, a 6-foot-6 forward from McKinney, Texas, will redshirt the 1997-98 season due to an inflammatory condition in his right knee. Holley played in only one game this season, seeing limited action against Bradley.
Wildcats in OT
Villanova has played two overtime contests this season, defeating Boston College 68-65 in The Pavilion on Jan. 6, and falling to West Virginia, 79-65 on Jan. 18, also in The Pavilion. Under head coach Steve Lappas, Villanova is 6-6 in overtime contests, including a 6-3 record from the 1993-94 season on. The Wildcats did not play an overtime game all last season, and won their only extra-session game during the 1995-96 season, winning 72-69 over Syracuse in the Carrier Dome.
Wildcats on the Tube
During the Lappas tenure on the Main Line, Villanova has made 58 appearances on five national television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ABC, and NBC). The Wildcats have recorded a mark of 32-26 (.552) in those games, including a 9-9 record on CBS. Villanova is 9-1 on ESPN2, 11-16 on ESPN, 1-0 on ABC, and 2-0 on NBC during the six Lappas years.
The Best Since ...
When Villanova and Boston College played at Conte Forum on Dec. 30, 1997, the Wildcats shot 61.8 percent from the field, at the time its third-straight game of shooting 50 percent or better from the field. The Wildcats converted 34-of-55 from the field, their best shooting effort since the Wildcats set a school record at the famous 1985 NCAA title game versus Georgetown. On April 1, 1985, Villanova shot 22-of-28 (.786) to defeat the Hoyas and sit atop college basketball's throne.
Starting from Scratch
The Wildcats were virtually starting from scratch prior to the start of the season, with only one starter returning to the 1997-98 lineup, as Chuck Kornegay, Jason Lawson, Tim Thomas, and Alvin Williams have all departed. Combined, the quartet amassed 4,244 career points and 2,142 career rebounds during their varied tenures at Villanova. In addition, the Wildcat seniors from a year ago (Kornegay, Lawson, Williams) compiled 95 victories during their four-year stint, the most wins by a class in school history. The class of '97 surpassed the class of '85, which posted a record of 92-38 and won the NCAA title.
1997-98 Big East Conference Predictions
Syracuse and Connecticut are the choices of the Big East Conference head coaches to win the 1997-98 division titles. Syracuse is picked to win the Big East 7 Division, receiving 10 first-place votes and 81 points. Connecticut garnered nine first-place votes and 69 points to earn the Big East 6 champion, narrowly edging St. John's with 63 points and four first-place votes. Following is the results of the tally:
