Jan. 23, 2001
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Villanova University (13-4 Overall, 4-2 Big East)
vs.
Virginia Tech (12-5 Overall, 3-3 Big East)
January 23, 2001 * 7 p.m.
Cassell Coliseum (10,000)
Blacksburg, Va.
Series History:
Overall Series Record: VU leads 1-0
Last VU Win: 11/29/97, 55-46
Last VT Win: N/A
Streak: VU won only meeting
Media Information:
Interview Requests All Interview requests should be directed toward Dean Kenefick, Director of Media Relations at (610) 519-4120.
Internet Site Villanova's recently re-designed web-page can be found at www.villanova.com.
Hotline Get up-to-date scores on all your favorite Wildcat sports on the official hotline: (888) 400-NOVA
Game Notes:
MULLANEY EARNS VICTORY: Villanova head coach Harry Perretta did not coach the Wildcats in their 78-65 upset win over No. 10 Rutgers on Saturday, as he was with his wife who was expecting the couple's second child. With Perretta not available, associate head coach Joe Mullaney guided the Wildcats to the win. In his five seasons as a Villanova assistant, Mullaney has had to fill in for Perretta on six occasions and in those six games he is 5-1. During the 1997-98 season, Perretta missed three games due to a family emergency and Mullaney guided the `Cats to the St. Mary's (CA) Thanksgiving Tournament championship with wins over Alabama Birmingham and Virginia Tech, before losing at Connecticut. Last year, Perretta was unable to coach the team at the University of Nevada Reno Thanksgiving Tournament due to the flu and Mullaney helped Villanova to wins over Cal State Northridge and Nevada Reno. Prior to coming to Villanova, Mullaney was the head women's basketball coach at St. John's University where he compiled 168-173 mark including leading his 1987-88 team to the Big East championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
IRONIC COINCIDENCE: Due to head coach Harry Perretta and his wife Helen having their second son (Michael John) early Sunday morning and Helen not expected to be released from the hospital until Tuesday morning, Perretta will not accompany the team to Virginia Tech for Tuesday's game. In his place, associate head coach Joe Mullaney will coach the team for the second-straight game. As irony would have it, the only other time that Villanova and Virginia Tech have met on the court in women's basketball came in the championship game of the St. Mary's Tournament on Nov. 29,1997 and Mullaney coached that game for Villanova, as Perretta was home due to a family emergency.
BIG WINS: By defeating No. 10 Rutgers on Saturday, Villanova has now tallied three wins over ranked opponents in the last two seasons. Last season, Villanova won at No. 9 Rutgers, 66-65, in overtime and they defeated No. 19 Boston College, 60-59, in a game played at Villanova.
SUCCESSFUL STRETCH: Villanova enters playing at Virginia Tech on Tuesday having won eight of its last nine. The Wildcats had won seven-straight before losing to Seton Hall last Tuesday, 52-50. The seven-game streak was Villanova's longest since a 12-game streak during the 1995-96 campaign. Earlier this year, the Wildcats had a five game winning streak that was ended with a loss at No. 3 Notre Dame.
CHARITY STRIPE SUCCESS: A big reason why Villanova was able to defeat No. 10 Rutgers last Saturday was due to the team's amazing accuracy from the foul line. For the game, the Wildcats were an incredible 30-of-31 (96.8 percent) from the free throw line. The lone miss came at the 9:39 mark of the second held when freshman Courtney Mix failed to convert a three-point play opportunity. Mix is currently the leading free throw shooter in the Big East at 85.7 percent. Mix finished the game 4-of-5 from the line. Three Wildcats were particular effective at the foul line versus Rutgers including Katie Davis (10-for-10), Mimi Riley (8-for-8) and Brandi Barnes (6-for-6). In the last 1:44 of the game, Villanova was a perfect 14-of-14 from the charity stripe. For the year, the Wildcats are 219-of-294 for 74.5 percent from the line.
DOUBLE FIGURE SCORERS: In Saturday's 78-65 win over Rutgers, Villanova had four players score in double figures led by 18 points from senior center Brandi Barnes. Also reaching double figures in points were Katie Davis with 17, Mimi Riley with 15 and Courtney Mix with 14. This is the fifth time this season the Wildcats have accomplished this feat as four Wildcats were in double figures against Penn State, Temple, Howard, while six reached double figures versus West Virginia.
SCORING 78: The 78 points scored against Rutgers on Saturday was the first time the Wildcats have reached the 70-point plateau versus the Scarlet Knights since Rutgers joined the Big East Conference in 1995-96. In the previous nine games versus Rutgers, Villanova scored 466 points for an average of 51.7 points per game. In those nine games, Villanova failed to reach 50 points on four occasions.
CENTER OF ATTENTION: Senior center Brandi Barnes has been a key component to the 2000-2001 Wildcats. She currently leads the Wildcats in three categories including points (14.3 ppg), block shots (20) and field goal percentage (101-of-193 for 52.3 percent) and she is second on the squad in rebounds with a 5.8 rpg. average. She currently ranks fourth in the Big East in field goal percentage and eighth in scoring. In the last nine games, she has tallied 151 points for an average of 16.7 ppg. in that span and she has reached double figures in points in eight of the nine contests, including scoring 20 or more points three times. From the field in the last nine games, she is 60-of-107 for 56.0 percent. In addition, Barnes has grabbed 57 rebounds and blocked 15 shots in the nine-game stretch. Barnes has twice been named Big East Conference Player of the Week this season.
BIG EAST LEADER: Villanova sophomore guard Trish Juhline currently leads the Big East Conference in three-point field goals made with 43. The Havertown, Pa., native is currently 43-for-108 (39.8%) from behind the arc. Last year as a freshman, Juhline was 66-for-186 (35.5%) from long distance. Entering play at Virginia Tech on Tuesday, Jan. 23, Juhline is second on the team in scoring with an 11.8 points per game average and she is second on the team in both assists (2.7 apg.) and steals (1.1 spg.).
IN THE MIX: Freshman forward Courtney Mix has emerged as one of Villanova's top performers. Entering the Virginia Tech game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, Mix is averaging 6.9 ppg., a team-best 6.0 rpg., a team-high 1.8 spg, and 2.2 apg., in 24.4 minutes per contest. Last Saturday versus No. 10 Rutgers, Mix registered 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks in 31 minutes of action. The 14 points marks the fifth time this year and the third in the last four games that she has registered double figures in points. She currently leads the Big East in free throw percentage (48-of-56 for .857). Mix was named Big East Rookie of the Week on Jan. 1.
REACHING DOUBLE DIGITS: Sophomore forward Katie Davis scored double figures for the seventh time this season when she netted 17 points in Saturday's upset win over No. 10 Rutgers. Davis was 3-of-5 from the field, 1-of-2 from three-point range and a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line in 34 minutes against the Scarlet Knights. For the year, Davis is averaging 9.1 points per game for all games and 10.2 points per game in Big East contests.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: After completing their four game homestand with a 3-1 record, the Wildcats will now play three of the next four away from the friendly confines of The Pavilion. The first road test begins on Tuesday with a game at Virginia Tech, followed by a trip to Boston College on Saturday, Jan. 27. After a home date with St. John's on Wednesday, Jan. 31, the Wildcats will play at defending National Champion Connecticut on Sunday, Feb. 4. Villanova is currently 8-2 at home and 4-2 on the road.
STEALING THE SHOW: Villanova has been tallying a number of steals lately, as they have recorded a combined 28 in the last three games. For the year, Villanova has registered 120 steals for an average of 7.0 per game. Freshman Courtney Mix is the team's leader with 31.
TEAM BASKETBALL: As is the case with all Harry Perretta coached teams, this year's Wildcat squad does a good job of playing team basketball. In the last two games, Villanova has had an assist on 50 of the 60 field goals they have made. For the season, Villanova has had an assist on 310 of its 398 field goals for 77.8 percent.
BEHIND THE ARC : Villanova continues to use the three-point shot to its advantage. After 17 games, the Wildcats are 126-of-365 (34.5 percent) from three-point land, while their opponents are just 38-of-166 for 22.9 percent. When you look at it in points, Villanova has outscored its opposition by 264 at 378-114. The Wildcats are currently averaging 21.4 three-point field goal attempts, while they are making an average of 7.4 triples per contest which ranks fifth in the latest NCAA statistics.
101 STRAIGHT: Entering the Virginia Tech game on Tuesday, Jan. 23, Villanova has made at least one three-point field goal in 101-straight games. The last time the `Cats failed to connect on a triple in a game came at Boston College on Jan 25, 1997. Twice during this 100 game span, Villanova has tied the NCAA record for three-point field goals made in a game with 18 (vs. Penn 12/20/97 and earlier this year versus WVU on 1/3/00).
2000-2001 DOUBLE-DOUBLES: Brandi Barnes vs. Pennsylvania 20 points 11 rebounds Brandi Barnes vs. Bucknell 20 points 11 rebounds Courtney Mix vs. Georgetown 11 points 11 rebounds
VILLANOVA PICKED SEVENTH: In the Big East Conference preseason Coaches poll, Villanova was chosen to finish seventh in the 14-member Big East Conference. The following is the coaches order of finish. 1. Connecticut 169 2. Rutgers 152 3. Notre Dame 150 4. Boston College 129 5. Georgetown 100 Virginia Tech 100 7. VILLANOVA 94 8. Pittsburgh 92 9. Miami 88 10. Syracuse 53 11. St. John's 49 12. Providence 44 13. Seton Hall 39 14. West Virginia 15
