Feb. 14, 2002

Villanova (13-9 overall, 4-7 Big East) and Georgetown (15-8 overall, 6-5 Big East) will tip-off at the First Union Center on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 12:05 p.m. The last time the Wildcats and Hoyas met in Philadelphia, Villanova prevailed 93-90 in double-overtime. Click on the .pdf link below for a complete version of Saturday afternoon's men's basketball game notes.

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Villanova Wildcats
(13-9 overall, 4-7 Big East)
Vs.
Georgetown Hoyas
(15-8 overall, 6-5 Big East)
Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002
First Union Center~12:05 p.m.
ESPN Regional Television~WB 17
(Don Criqui & Bucky Waters)
Villanova Radio Network
(WPEN 950 AM)


One of Those Nights
It was left to senior center Brooks Sales to summarize the action against Connecticut on Monday night.

"It was just one of those nights," said the native of Bloomfield, Conn.

Indeed, if Villanova's 46-40 loss to Connecticut at Hartford on Monday evening was something less than an aesthetic success. Villanova missed 37 shots while the Hukies missed 33. The Wildcats were just 3-of-16 (.188) from beyond the arc while Connecticut was 2-of-10 (.200). There were as many fouls called as Villanova had points (40). To Jay Wright, though, the pitched battle was all about one thing: terrific defense.

"There was no doubt it was going to be an ugly game, just because they play good defense and we try to play good defense," said Jay Wright. "We couldn't go up and down with them. They are just too deep and too talented. We tried to limit the possessions, and we did a decent job, but their defense overcame us."

Villanova recorded season lows in several categories, including points (40), field goal percentage (.260) and field goals (13). The 'Cats scored only four points in the final 7:46 of the game and all of those came at the free throw line. Brooks Sales' dunk with 8:19 to go was Villanova's final field goal of the contest.

"We made a lot of aggressive mistakes," said Wildcats guard Gary Buchanan.

The Silencer
Andrew Sullivan is Villanova's most versatile defender and is often charged with the task of chasing the opponent's top offensive threat on the perimeter. Lately, he has responded to the challenge in grand style. On Jan. 28 he was instrumental in holding Marvin O'Connor of Saint Joseph's to 10 points and only nine field goal attempts in a 102-73 Villanova win. Next came a strong effort against Darius Rice of Miami on Feb. 5 at the Pavilion. Sullivan, a junior, held Rice to seven points in a 65-56 Wildcat loss to the nationally ranked Hurricanes. Last Saturday he hounded UCLA All-American candidate Jason Kapono into a 3-of-9 effort from the field. Sullivan was also one of the few 'Cats who enjoyed a productive night at the offensive end against UConn. He finished the night with nine points in 33 minutes, including only his second 3-point field goal of the season. In addition, he collected six rebounds and made Caron Butler work hard for his points. When he began working with the Wildcats in preparation for a trip to Italy last August, Jay Wright had his fingers crossed that Sullivan could become the type of defender his team needed.

"I was only hoping," said Wright. "When I saw him early, I was hoping and praying, and he's been doing a great job. He really has."

For Sullivan - and all of the Wildcats - the defensive mindset has been part of a season-long growth process.

"The first time we played Miami, Andrew got into Darius Rice early, and the first couple of possessions, Darius Rice couldn't get a shot off," said Wright. "The next possession, Rice hit a deep three on him. Andrew did everything he could do. It kind of knocked Andrew's confidence. I told him: 'They're going to do that sometimes.' I think he believes now he can knock somebody's confidence. He values that. I really believe that."

Villanova's overall defense has improved in 2001-02 and not simply because the 'Cats have slowed the tempo lately. Villanova is holding opponents to .396 shooting from the field. Last season opponents shot .431 from the floor. Stats Inc., tracked the top scoring defense improvements in the nation and Villanova ranks No. 20. After surrendering 74.9 ppg in 2000-01, Villanova now permits 66.0, an improvement of 8.9 ppg.

Sales Numbers
In his final regular season appearance in his native Connecticut, Brooks Sales delivered another solid effort. The senior center finished with nine points and 12 rebounds, despite picking up his fourth foul with eight minutes to go in the action. This came on the heels of Saturday afternoon, when his two free throws provided the margin of victory in a 58-57 triumph over No. 15 UCLA. Monday evening marked the 12th time in 2001-02 that Sales has reached double figures in rebounding. He leads the club with 8.7 rebounds per outing and is also advancing up the career rebounding chart at Villanova. His effort against Connecticut moved him past Hubie White and into 11th place on the career caroms list with 758. Next up, in 10th place, is former 'Cat standout Alex Bradley with 797.

"Brooks is our team's most valuable player," said Jay Wright. "He's great. I love them all, but Brooks just does everything. He can handle the ball under pressure. He dishes out assists, he rebounds, and he is our leader on the floor. The coaches can communicate to the players through him.

"He is a great Villanova senior. In my years as a Villanova assistant, the seniors always stepped up and made big plays. He does it all the time."

Sales also now has 898 career points. A strong finish could make him the second Wildcat this season to soar past the 1,000-point club. Gary Buchanan joined that fraternity back in December.

Gary Draws Attention
Gary Buchanan was held to nine points on Monday and that had more than a little to do with the fact the Wildcats produced only 40 points. The native of St. Louis, Mo., is Villanova's leading scorer at 18.6 ppg and this was only the second time all season he was held to less than double figures. Although he connected on several huge shots against UCLA on Feb. 9, Buchanan has been hounded into some difficult shooting nights of late. In his past three games - against Miami, UCLA and Connecticut - Buchanan is just 13-of-47 (.277) from the field and 10-of-31 (.323) from beyond the 3-point arc. When Buchanan makes three or more 3-point field goals this year, Villanova is 12-4. When he doesn't make that many, the Wildcats are 1-4. Over the course of his three seasons on the Main Line Buchanan is 221-of-560 (.395) from beyond the 3-point arc. The Villanova record for 3-point field goals in a career belongs to Kerry Kittles, who made 278 from 1992-96. The Villanova career percentage record belongs to Mark Plansky, who ended his stint on the Main Line with a .451 figure, though he did so with far fewer attempts (144) than either Kittles or Buchanan.

Buchanan has scored in double figures in 20 of the 22 contests Villanova has played in 2001-02. In 86 career games on the Main Line, this product of St. Thomas More has reached double figures in 63 of them. In three seasons on the Main Line Buchanan has amassed 1,238 points. He is presently in 31st place on the all-time school list and trails No. 30 Jack Devine by 25 points. In addition to his team scoring lead, Buchanan is third in rebounding (4.7 rpg). He is also tops in free throw shooting percentage (.910) and minutes played (779-35.4 mpg).

Ricky & Reggie
Junior forward Ricky Wright and sophomore guard Reggie Bryant are two of the Wildcats' most skilled offensive players. Their struggles on Monday were a reflection of Villanova's difficulty in producing points. Ricky Wright endured the toughest shooting night of his career, connecting on just 2-of-15 of his field goal attempts. The junior from East Chicago, Ind., made his first two shots from the floor and then did not make another the rest of the way. He finished with six points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes. Bryant, meanwhile, was 0-of-6 from the field, including 0-of-5 from beyond the 3-point arc. After strong efforts against St. Joseph's and Virginia Tech at the end of January, Bryant has struggled in February. In four outings he is 7-of-33 (.212) from the field and 5-of-23 (.217) from outside the 3-point arc. He has averaged 4.8 ppg in that span (the Baltimore native averages 8.8 ppg on the season).

In many respects, Bryant is Villanova's X factor. When the sophomore guard - who has been bothered all season by muscle inflammation in his hips - scores in double figures, the 'Cats are 8-1. When he fails to reach double digits, Villanova is 4-7 (he sat out the Bucknell game on Dec. 1).

On Guard
When the trio of Buchanan, Snowden and Bryant reach double figures in scoring in 2001-02, Villanova is 5-0. When two reach that plateau, Villanova is 5-5. When only one contributes that many, the 'Cats are 3-3. When none reach the mark the Wildcats are 0-1.

Chris Gets The Call
In the last two games, Jay Wright has called on freshman center Chris Charles for extensive action. The rookie from Milwaukee had two points in 14 minutes against Connecticut and also added three rebounds.

The Matchup
Villanova vs. Georgetown
All-Time Series: Georgetown leads 32-22
Last meeting: Villanova 59, Georgetown 56 (Feb. 12, 2001)
Last Georgetown win: Georgetown 67, VU 61 (Jan. 12, 1998)
Wright vs. Georgetown: First Meeting


Notebook: The Hoyas make their first visit to Philadlephia since Jan. 30, 1999 ... That game featured a thrilling ending as the 'Cats won 93-90 in double overtime ... Howard Brown sank a corner jumper with 2.4 seconds left in the second overtime to tie the game at 90-90 and then Brooks Sales stole the inbounds pass, handed it to Jermaine Medley and watched as Medley's bomb dropped in at the buzzer ... Villanova currently is riding a three game winning streak in this series, matching its longest winning streak against the Hoyas since the Wildcats joined the Big East in 1980 ... Michael Bradley scored 24 points and Ricky Wright added 10 to lead the Wildcats to a win last year at the MCI Center ... Georgetown has never played in the Pavilion.