Jan. 10, 2003
Villanova men's basketball game notes for this weekend's Big East Conference game featuring the Villanova Wildcats (8-5, 1-0) hosting the Providence Friars (8-4, 2-0) on Saturday, Jan. 11 at The Pavilion with tipoff slated for 4:05 pm. Click on the pdf link below for a complete version of the game notes.
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GAME 14
Villanova Wildcats (8-5 overall, 1-0 Big East)
vs.
Providence Friars (8-4 overall, 2-0 Big East)
Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003~4:05 p.m
The Pavilion
Comcast SportsNet
WZZD Radio (990 AM)/ESPN Radio (920 AM)
THE TOP STORIES:
Backcourt Boost: Since Dec. 22 head coach Jay Wright has started a three guard lineup featuring Gary Buchanan, Randy Foye and Derrick Snowden. The trio had its most productive offensive outing in Wednesday night's 92-81 overtime win over Virginia Tech, combining for 51 points and ten assists. Foye led all scorers with 21 points.
Reaching For 150: This afternoon Jay Wright seeks his 150th career victory. The first 122 wins came in Wright's seven seasons as mentor at Hofstra University and the last 27 have come since he was named head coach at Villanova in March of 2001.
A Daunting Road Ahead: One year from the date of its last road victory - Jan. 15, 2002 - Villanova meets St. John's at Madison Square Garden, hoping to halt a 9-game road losing skid.
VILLANOVA NEWS & NOTES
Working Overtime
Late game situations haven't been especially kind to the Wildcats in 2002-03.
In the finals of the Great Alaska Shootout, Villanova fell when College of Charleston guard Troy Wheeless scored with the shot clock winding down and less than 30 seconds on the game clock to give the Cougars a 71-69 triumph. Brooks Hall banked in an improbable shot as time expired in a 80-78 defeat at Dayton. And Billy Richmond dropped a leaner in over the outstretched arm of Derrick Snowden with 12 seconds left to lift Memphis to a 72-68 win last Sunday.
So there were more than a few sweaty palms as Villanova found itslef locked in a tight battle with a pesky Virginia Tech Hokies squad in the Big East opener on Wednesday night.
The game was tied at 74 at the end of regulation.
But then Villanova took over.
"I thought we did a great job executing our offense in overtime," said head coach Jay Wright. "I think we scored on all but one possession in the overtime."
Villanova outscored the Hokies 18-7 in the extra session. It had scored just 26 points in the 20 minutes of the second half.
"In overtime, I think we decided to buckle down," said Jay Wright. "I'm happy we did that. But I'm not happy we didn't do it the entire game."
Randy's Role
From day one this season, Randy Foye has been given the responsibility of directing Villanova's offensive attack from the point guard position.
The ride has not been without its potholes. In several game, foul trouble has been an issue. There have been some turnovers too. But those common rookie matters are more than offset by the production of this former New Jersey Player of the Year.
In his Big East debut, Foye looked perfectly comfortable. The native of Newark, N.J. scored a career high 21 points and added four rebounds and four assists while committing only two turnovers. He was 7-of-13 from the floor, 2-of-2 from beyond the 3-point arc, and 5-of-6 at the free throw line.
"Randy is coming along nicely for us," said Jay Wright. "I was proud of how he handled his first Big East game."
Foye is fourth on Villanova in scoring at 9.9 ppg and second in assists (3.6 apg). Only Derrick Snowden has logged more minutes among the Wildcats this season than Foye (349-26.8 per game).
He also chips in with 4.2 rpg, fourth best on the club.
Wright On
Although the three-game stretch included his 1,000th career point - for which he will be honored during a brief pre-game ceremony today - Ricky Wright's prelude to the Big East was something less than he would have liked.
In his final three games heading into the Big East opener, Ricky Wright was not his typically productive self. In wins over Binghamton and Temple and a loss at Memphis, Ricky Wright averaged just seven points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
The culprit was clear: fouls.
Limited by foul trouble, Ricky Wright spent more time on the bench than he did on the court. Although he didn't foul out of any of the three contests, he was limited to 57 minutes (19 per game) by foul woes.
"Ricky is important to what we do," said Jay Wright, "and he understands that we need him on the floor."
Against Virginia Tech fouls were not an issue and Ricky Wright was a major force for the 'Cats. He posted his second double-double of the season and 12th of his career with 16 points and 14 rebounds. His 15-foot jumper with 3:41 remaining in overtime gave Villanova a five point advantage and it was never threatened again.
"It's been frustrating," said Ricky Wright. "I know my teammates need me out on the floor and it felt good to be able to do that tonight."
Ricky Wright also got back on track at the free throw line on Wednesday. After connecting on just 4-of-12 of his charity stripe tosses in the four games leading up to Virginia Tech, he responded with a solid 4-of-5 night at the line.
On the year he is converting .691 of his free throw attempts and is second to Jason Fraser in free throws attempted.
With his 16 points on Wednesday, Ricky Wright moved past Jimmy Smith into 44th place (1,025) on Villanova's all-time scoring list. (A more complete graphic of the all-time scoring list can be found on page four of these notes.)
"Ricky gave us a great lift," said Jay Wright following the Virginia Tech, "and that's the kind of effort we are going to need from him."
The Matchup
Villanova vs. ProvidenceAll-time series: Villanova leads 42-31Last meeting: PC 72, VU 64 (Feb. 19, 2002)Last VU win: VU 76, PC 57 (Jan. 2, 2002)Wright vs. Providence: 1-1
Notes: The Friars and Wildcats split a pair of contests in 2001-02, both teams winning on their home floor ... Providence has claimed six of the last nine meetings between the two members of the Big East's East Division ... Ricky Wright posted double-doubles in both encounters, averaging 21.5 points and 14.0 rebounds in the process ... Providence has captured two of the last four meetings here at the Pavilion and is one of only three Big East schools (Miami and Boston College are the others) with multiple Pavilion victories since 1994-95 ...Since Villanova joined the Big East in 1980-81 the Wildcats hold a 24-18 advantage.
Free Throw Fun
After a finishing second in the Big East in free throw shooting to Miami last year with a .742 overall percentage, Villanova has had an uneven year at the line in 2002-03. The 'Cats took a .656 percentage into Wednesday evening's matchup with Virginia Tech.
By the end of the night, however, that number had risen to .670 and played a major role in why Villanova emerged with a victory.
The Wildcats enjoyed their best night of the 2002-03 campaign at the stripe, converting 25-of-32 (.781) against the Hokies. Seven different players made at least two free throws, led by Randy Foye who was 5-of-6 at the line.
In contrast, Virginia Tech connected on .570 of its free throw attempts and missed three in the final two minutes of regulation. With 16 seconds left, Bryant Matthews missed a pair of free throws that could have given the Hokies a lead.
In a statistical quirk Villanova has shot and made the exact same number of free throws as its opponents this year: both are 189-of-282 (.670) at the line.
Buchanan's Boost
Senior guard Gary Buchanan continues to produce points from deep for the Wildcats.
On Wednesday he was one of five Wildcats who reached double figures in scoring with 18 points. The native of St. Louis was 4-of-8 from beyond the 3-point arc against the Hokies and leads Villanova with 35 3-point field goals this season. He is connecting at a rate of .385 from beyond the arc.
Buchanan now has 284 3-point field goals in his career the most of any player in school history. He moved past Kerry Kittles (278) at Memphis on Jan. 5.
Earlier this month Buchanan's name was erased from the NCAA record book. Butler's Darnell Archey extended his consecutive made free throw streak to 76, thereby eclipsing Buchanan's 2000-01 streak of 73 straight.
On the plus side, Buchanan has an opportunity to end his career as the all-time NCAA career free throw shooting percentage leader. Andy Enfield of Johns Hopkins University holds the all-division record (.925) while Greg Starrick (Kentucky & Southern Illinois) is the Division I leader (.909). A minimum number of 300 attempts are required and Buchanan has already accomplished that.
In his four seasons on the Main Line Buchanan is 293-of-317 (.9243).
On Wednesday, Buchanan moved past Dwayne McClain into 18th place on the all-time Villanova scoring list. He now has 1,557 points in the four seasons he has played on the Main Line. (A more detailed look at the scoring list can be found on the next page.)
Rebounding Strength
Through the course of its first 13 games Villanova has been strong on the glass and that factor played a key role in the victory over Virginia Tech.
The Wildcats outrebounded the Hokies 48-38 and have outrebounded 10 of their 13 opponents this season. The only exceptions to that have been Michigan State, UMBC and Memphis.
Ricky Wright set the pace with 14 caroms on Wednesday but others contributed as well. Derrick Snowden added a season-high five, Jason Fraser chipped in with six while Randy Foye and Andrew Sullivan each added four.
Five different Wildcats average at least three rebounds a game.
Ricky Wright leads the way at 7.9 rpg; Fraser adds 7.7 rpg while Sullivan is at 5.2 rpg. Foye (4.2 rpg) and Buchanan (3.2 rpg) round out the group.
On the year, Villanova is outrebounding its opponents 41.0-32.0.
In the two meetings with Providence last season the Wildcats were effective on the glass. In the first encounter here at the Pavilion, won by Villanova 76-57, the 'Cats outrebounded the Friars by a 39-23 count. In a 72-64 loss at Providence on Feb. 19, Villanova outrebounded P.C. by a 42-32 margin.
Ricky Wright totaled 28 rebounds in the two meetings last season.
Equitable Distribution
In 2001-02, four Wildcats (Gary Buchanan, Derrick Snowden, Ricky Wright and Brooks Sales) averaged better than 30 minutes per game.
This season, it's a different story.
Seven Wildcats average between 24.4 and 28.3 mpg. Another (Curtis Sumpter) averages 12.3 mpg. A ninth member of the rotation is sophomore forward Marcus Austin, who averages 8.6 mpg.
Steal City
If rebounding was a part of the story of the two Providence-Villanvoa matchups in 2002-03, another critical factor was turnovers. With its full-court pressure, the Friars have forced the 'Cats into 96 turnover in the last four meetings between these two teams, an average of 24 per game.
Providence has won three of the last four games between the two clubs.
Villanova has taken better care of the basketball in general this seasno and also benefits from some newfound fullcourt pressure of its own. Since implementing a full-court press on Dec. 22, Villanova has generated 55 steals in five games (11 pre game). Prior to that, the Wildcats created only 34 steals in eight games (4.3 per outing).
The Road Less Traveled
A 72-68 loss at Memphis on Jan. 5 extended Villanova's road losing streak to nine games. That includes seven consecutive losses away from home last season and two in 2002-03.
Interestingly, though, in six of the nine losses, Villanova entered the final minutes within three points of the lead. The losses at Memphis, Dayton, St. John's, and Boston College were decided in final ten seconds.
The road was a difficult place for Villanova in 2001-02 as the 'Cats were 2-8 away from the Pavilion and First Union Center. After winning exciting Big East road games at Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, Villanova dropped its next seven road decisions.
The longest road losing streak in Villanova history is ten games. In 1927-28, the Wildcats lost every one of their ten road contests.
That skid was matched between the years 1944-46. In that wartime span the Wildcats also lost 10 straight away from what is now known as the Jake Nevin Field House.
Pavilion Power
Villanova has become quite comfortable in its unique on-campus Pavilion home since it opened on Feb. 1, 1986.
Lifetime Villanova is 148-45 (.767) in the 6,500-seat structure.
The 'Cats have been especially productive in the building in the recent past. Since the start of the 1994-95 campaign the Wildcats are 88-13 (.871) in front of the Pavilion audience. In Big East play over that span Villanova is 41-10 (.804).
Villanova hosts four games this year at the First Union Center, where it was 2-1 in 2001-02. All four feature matchups with 2002 NCAA Tournament squads: Pennsylvania (a 72-58 loss on Dec. 10); Feb. 11 vs. St. John's; Feb. 15 vs. Connecticut; and Mar. 9 vs. Pittsburgh.
Tickets for the remaining First Union Center games are available through the Villanova Ticket Office at 610-519-4100.
A Number Change
Villanova freshman guard Mike Claxton changed uniform numbers prior to the Dec. 27 contest against Binghamton. Claxton, who began the campaign wearing No. 25, will now utilize No. 35.
Signing In
Coach Jay Wright announced the signing of two high school seniors to national letters of intent on Nov. 19. Guard Mike Nardi, 6-1, of St. Patrick's (N.J.) Elizabeth High School and forward Will Sheridan, 6-9, of Sanford (Del.) School both will enroll at Villanova in the fall of 2003.
Nardi sat out the 2001-02 season at St. Pat's with a broken foot. He returned to action in July 2002 to lead St. Pat's to the championship of the National High School Basketball Tournament at Philadelphia's Palestra.
"Mike Nardi is going to inject our program with basketball intelligence, fire and passion," said Wright. "He has been well-coached in high school by Kevin Boyle and comes from a great family. He will be a tremendous addition to the foundation we are building at Villanova."
Sheridan averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots a game as a junior at the Sanford School in Hockessin, Del. Sanford captured the Delaware state championship last season.
"Will is coming off a great summer of basketball," said Wright. "He is very skilled and a talented forward. His mother and father have instilled great character in Will. Coming from Sanford Prep, he will be prepared for the rigors of Big East basketball and Villanova's academics."
Philadelphia Big Five
Villanova is once again competing in the historic Philadelphia Big Five City Series. The dates and results of this round-robin competition are:
Dec. 7: Villanova 74, La Salle 71Dec. 10: Pennsylvania 72, Villanova 58Dec. 31: Villanova 70, Temple 62Feb. 3: at Saint Joseph's (Palestra)
Last season, the Wildcats finished 2-2 in the Big Five. The Wildcats lost to La Salle and Penn while defeating Temple and Saint Joseph's.
On Deck
at St. John'sWednesday, Jan. 15, 2003Madison Square Garden~7:35 p.m.CN8 TelevisionWFIL (560 AM) and ESPN (920 AM) Radio
Notes: The Red Storm and Wildcats meet for the 95th time ... St. John's leads the series 57-37 ... SJU defeated Villanova 65-63 on a Marcus Hatten jumper on Jan. 20, 2002 at Madison Square Garden ... The Wildcats are 4-12 against the Red Storm in Madison Square Garden and haven't beaten St. John's there since the 1996-97 season.
