Feb. 11, 1998
VILLANOVA WILDCATS (10-12 Overall, 7-6 Big East)
vs.
PROVIDENCE FRIARS(8-13 Overall, 3-9 Big East)
Feb. 14, 1998 ~ Providence, R.I. Providence Civic Center (12,993)
7:00 p.m. (ET) ~ WGTI-TV
Probable Villanova StartersNo. Pos.Name PPG RPG#22 F HOWARD BROWN (Jr., 6-5, 200) 12.7 5.5#50 F T.J. CAOUETTE (So., 6-7, 215) 4.6 1.6#15 C Malik Allen (So., 6-10, 240) 9.0 6.6#10 G JERMAINE MEDLEY (Fr., 6-0, 185) 6.1 1.6#21 G BRIAN LYNCH (So., 6-6, 185) 8.2 2.9Probable Providence StartersNo. Pos.Name #3 F KENDRICK MOORE (Jr,. 6-3, 180)#33 F JAMEL THOMAS (Jr., 6-6, 180)#24 C ERRON MAXEY (Fr., 6-6, 180)#10 G COREY WRIGHT (Jr., 5-8, 160)#12 G JOHN LINEHAN (Fr., 5-9, 160)
NotesLast Time Out
Villanova: The Wildcats earned a 79-68 victory over Pittsburgh Tuesday night in The Pavilion. Howard Brown led Villanova with 17 points, while T.J. Caouette added a career-high 14 and Malik Allen 10 for the Wildcats. Pittsburgh posted five double-figure scorers, with Jarrett Lockhart leading the way with a game-high 18. Isaac Hawkins had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the game. The contest was a tale of two halves, as Villanova opened up a 26-point lead at the intermission after shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 53.3 percent from behind the arc. Pittsburgh, however, came back in the final period, outscoring Villanova 10-0 to open the second half. The Panthers came within seven points twice, but Malik Allen had two baskets on back-to-back possessions to help the Wildcats secure the win.
Providence: The Friars play at Seton Hall on Wednesday night.
Villanova-Providence Series Notes
Villanova leads the overall series with the Friars, 39-25, and owns a 21-12 edge during Big East Conference regular-season contests. The two teams split during the regular-season last year, with Villanova winnning 75-64 in The Pavilion, and Providence posting a 91-68 win in the Providence Civic Center. The Wildcats took the third meeting between the two teams last year, winning 80-70 in the second round of the Big East Tournament. Villanova has won five of the past six meetings and with Providence, but is 7-9 versus the Friars in the Providence Civic Center. In fact, the last time Villanova won in the arena was Jan. 13, 1990 when the Wildcats came away with a 102-74 victory. Since then, they've lost six-straight in the Civic Center. Villanova head coach Steve Lappas is 6-8 versus Providence.
The Coaches
VU Coach Steve Lappas 113-68 (.624) / 6 yrs. (VU) 169-130 (.565) / 10 yrs.PC Coach Pete Gillen 67-50 (.573) / 4 yrs. (PC) 269-125 (.683) / 13 yrs.
Next Up
Villanova: Villanova hosts Syracuse on Monday night in the CoreStates Center for an ESPN Big Monday contest. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
Providence: The Friars host Miami at the Providence Civic Center on Feb. 18, 1998, at 7 p.m.
Series Facts
Record in Overtime Games 5-1
Series First Meeting 2/15/36
Overall Series Record VU 39-25
Record in Big East Regular-Season Games VU 21-12
Record in Big East Tournament Games 5-1
Current Win Streak VU 1
Taking Charge
Already having a sensational season, Howard Brown has been even better over the Wildcats' last five games, helping his team to three victories during that time. The junior has averaged 15.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and 4.6 apg, and has shot 50.0 percent (31-of-62) from the field during that span of games. Additionally, he has elevated his game in another area: ballhandling. The Pottstown native has registered 23 assists during the last five games to only four turnovers for a ratio of 5.75:1. Brown has led Villanova in scoring in four-straight games, in rebounding in two-straight and in assists once during the last five games. He also has either tied or reset career highs in points, field goals, rebounds, assists, and steals during that period of contests.
It's Raining Threes
Villanova head coach Steve Lappas made wholesale lineup changes versus St. John's on Jan. 25, and since then there has been a major shift in philosophy. Villanova has gone from a power team with Malik Allen and Rafal Bigus playing together, to a three-point shooting team with a much smaller lineup. After the St. John's game (figuring it took a game for the new five to adjust to one another) Villanova has hit 48-of-121 (.397) from behind the three-point arc and is averaging 9.6 made three-pointers per game over the last five contests. They've won three of those games. Prior to making the lineup changes, Villanova had hit only 100-of-330 (.303) from behind the arc and averaged only 6.3 treys per game over the 16-game span.
Career-High for T.J.
Sophomore T.J. Caouette posted his fifth career double-figure scoring outing on Tuesday versus Pittsburgh, registering a career-high 14 points on five-of-10 shooting from the field. The Winthrop, Maine, native, also converted three-of-seven from behind the three-point arc, a personal best for treys, and had a career-high three assists in the game.
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 7.7 ppg in an average of 20.0 mpg since becoming a starter, and has hit 10 three pointers in those games. Additionally, over the last three 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.
Coming into His Own
Freshman Jermaine Medley is truly coming into his own of late, putting in the best back-to-back performances of his career versus Kentucky and Pittsburgh. Against the Wildcats, he played one of his most complete games of the season, 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 versus Kentucky. He followed that with a nine-point effort versus the Panthers, hitting three treys and registering a career-high six assists against only two turnovers. Over the past two games, Medley is averaging 12.0 ppg, and 4.0 apg and is shooting nine-of-17 (.529) from the field including six-of-10 from behind the arc.
Shooting Better
Over the last five games, the Wildcats have averaged 73.2 ppg and are shooting 45.3 percent from the field (140-of-309) and 39.7 percent from behind the three-point arc (48-of-121). Villanova earned three victories during that span of games over Notre Dame, Miami, and Pittsburgh. The Wildcats' losses came only to top 10-ranked Connecticut (No. 9) and Kentucky (No. 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 27.8 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 28.4 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. 9 in the league with an average of 1.2 bpg. Their effort in the category has propelled Villanova to a No. 2 team ranking in the statistic with an average of 4.9 per game. Syracuse is the league leader with 5.8 bpg. In league-only games, Villanova leads the conference with 5.6 bpg.
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 3-2. 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 3-2(F) Caouette, (F) Brown, (C) Bigus, (G) Lynch, (G) Medley 0-1
Zeffy for Three
Senior Zeffy Penn has developed into one of the better shooters on the Wildcat squad this season. The sixth man has converted a team-best nine-of-22 (.409) from behind the three-point arc, and has hit five treys in the Wildcats' last four games. Prior to this season, Penn had hit only three three-pointers in his career. The Harrisburg product also rates as Villanova's top free throw shooter, hitting 82.9 percent (29-of-35) from the charity stripe.
At Home and on the Road in the Big East
Over the last four years (1994-present), Villanova has recorded a mark of 27-6 (.818) at home in Big East Conference regular-season contests. In Big East games in The Pavilion during that time, the Wildcats are 21-3 (.875), while they are 6-3 (.667) in Philadelphia. During the Steve Lappas era at Villanova, the Wildcats are 33-18 (.647) at home in league play, including a stellar 26-12 (.684) in The Pavilion.
The 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 five years, and a 3-4 mark this season with wins at Georgetown, Boston College, and Notre Dame.
Big East Season Record Road Home1997-98 7-6 3-4 4-2 (4-1 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 60-43 27-25 33-18 (26-12 Pavilion / 7-6 Phila.)
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 11.2 ppg over those last six 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.
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 Magic.
O'Connor Returns
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. The Philadelphia native finally saw action versus Pittsburgh, playing six minutes and scoring five points on two-of-three shooting from the field. O'Connor is averaging 5.8 ppg and 2.0 rpg in his rookie season.
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.
Home, Sweet, Home
The Wildcats have recorded 39-straight paid sellouts in their on-campus arena, The Pavilion, and boast a record of 97-36 (.729) in the building since it opened in 1986. From the 1994-95 season on, Villanova is 36-4 (.900) in The Pavilion, including a 21-3 (.869) mark in Big East Conference match-ups.
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 10 victories, the Wildcats have shot lights out, converting 50 percent from the field, nearly 40 percent from behind the arc and almost 74 percent from the foul line. In fact, in all 10 wins the Wildcats shot better than 40 percent from the field, while they have converted less than 42 percent from the field in all 12 losses. From the charity stripe, Villanova is 10-5 when shooting 40 percent or better, and 0-7 when shooting under the 40-percent plateau. Consider this:
Wins LossesField Goal Percentage 50.0 (284-568) 38.5 (287-745) Three-Point Percentage 39.2 (82-209) 26.6 (70-263)Free Throw Percentage 73.4 (141-192) 54.2 (84-155)
When Malik Scores ...
When sophomore Malik Allen scores in double figures, Villanova is 6-3 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 9.0 ppg and has led the team in scoring on four occasions. In Villanova's 10 victories, Allen is averaging 11.1 ppg (111 points), while he's averaging 7.2 ppg (86 points) in the Wildcats' 12 defeats.
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.
75 is the Magic Number
Over the past six seasons under head coach Steve Lappas, the Wildcats are 77-12 (.865) 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 6-0 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.
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.
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:
