Jan. 7, 2003
Villanova men's basketball game notes for the Big East opener featuring the Villanova Wildcats (7-5, 0-0) hosting the Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6, 0-0) on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m., at The Pavilion. Click on the pdf link below for a complete version of the game notes.
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GAME 13: BIG EAST OPENER
Villanova Wildcats (7-5 overall, 0-0 Big East)
vs.
Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6 overall, 0-0 Big East)
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003~7:35 p.m
The Pavilion
WFIL Radio (560 AM)/ESPN Radio (920 AM)
THE TOP STORIES
Curtain Rises On Big East Action: With non-conference play virtually complete - Villanova has one non-league date at Saint Joseph's on Feb. 3 - the 'Cats turn their attention to Big East Conference competition. Tonight's duel is the first of 16 Big East contests. Villanova is 6-2 in its last eight Big East Conference openers and downed Providence 76-57 in its league debut in 2001-02.
Steal Stuff: Villanova generated 10 steals in the loss at Memphis. In four games since head coach Jay Wright began utilizing full court defensive pressure, the 'Cats have 41 steals. In eight games prior to that, Villanova created only 34 steals.
Friars On The Main Line: Providence is at the Pavilion on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. The Friars and 'Cats split a pair of games in 2001-02.
VILLANOVA NEWS & NOTES
Another Near Miss
It was the kind of painful pattern that has become all too familiar to the Villanova Wildcats.
After going-toe-to-toe with Memphis before a noisy partisan crowd of 18,350, Villanova found itself with the basketball in a game deadlocked at 68 with one minute left.
Alas, the Tigers made several big plays, none larger than Billy Richmond's short jumper with Derrick Snowden's hand in his face with 12 seconds left. That gave Memphis a 70-68 advantage.
After a Wildcat timeout, Villanova guard Gary Buchanan drove toward the foul line. Once there he found himself surrounded by three Tiger defenders. With no options, Buchanan's kick-out pass was intercepted.
Two late Memphis free throws made the final score 72-68.
This marked the third time this season, Villanova found itself with a chance to tie or win away from home in the final seconds only to fall short.
"I feel we are gradually getting better," said Wildcat head coach Jay Wright in the wake of his team's ninth straight loss away from home. "I don't know if it will be good enough until the end of the season.
"We have a lot of young guys playing, but this is not acceptable. We can't tell how good we are until we go on the road and win a big game."
Memphis coach John Calipari was impressed.
"Wow," Calipari stated. "The bottom line is that Villanova played harder than we played. The way you can judge it is, we struggled making a wing pass and they passed wherever they wanted to. They moved the ball around the court. They did it on pick and rolls. We couldn't get an entry pass going.
"I've got to give Villanova credit. They came in here not afraid. They came in with young guys and they were playing to win. But then again, they are in a conference, that they go on the road and there are tough games on the road. They play in packed houses. I don't think they were intimidated at all.
"The difference is we are becoming a hardened team, a team with an attitude. Kind of like 'Refuse to Lose.' You're figuring out a way to win."
With the win Memphis improved to 9-2. The all-time series now stands at 8-3 in favor of the 'Cats.
Ray Rolls On
Back in August, Allan Ray was something of the forgotten man among the four members of the 'New Crew', Villanova's crop of talented freshman from the metropolitan New York region.
Jason Fraser was a McDonald's All-American.
Curtis Sumpter was the New York City Catholic League Player of the Year.
Randy Foye was voted New Jersey High School Player of the Year.
Ray?
A broken bone in his foot forced the native of the Bronx, N.Y. to miss all but four games at the end of St. Raymond's (H.S.) season.
Yet it is Ray who has made the greatest impact of the foursome as we approach the season's halfway point.
Only seniors Gary Buchanan (140 points) and Ricky Wright (139) have scored more than Ray's 138 points among the Wildcats. Ray is third on the club in scoring average at 11.5 ppg. He has either led or tied for team scoring honors four times already this season.
On Sunday Ray was at it again, scoring 15 points in the loss to Memphis. Ten of those points came in the second half.
Ray was 5-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 at the free throw line. He is 19-of-49 (.388) from beyond the 3-point arc, the top 3-point shooting percentage on the Villanova squad.
Sully Plays A Key Role
Senior forward Andrew Sullivan specializes in some of the thankless tasks that seldom end up on highlight reels. Yet Jay Wright and his staff understand fully Sullivan's value.
"As a coaching staff, we value a lot of the little things that help you win but may not show up on the boxscore," explains Wright. "Things like deflections, setting screens that lead to baskets, and taking charges are important to us.
"Andrew does those things extremely well and we know very well what he means to this team."
Sullivan played 28 important minutes in the loss at Memphis. With Ricky Wright and Jason Fraser burdened by foul trouble, the lean Sullivan was asked to wage battle inside with the likes of Chris Massie.
By day's end Sullivan had contributed six points, three rebounds and three assists with zero turnovers.
The Matchup
Villanova vs. Virginia TechAll-time series: Villanova leads 7-0Last meeting: VU 84, Va. Tech 77 (Jan. 30, 2002)Wright vs. Virginia Tech: 2-0
Notes: This will mark Villanova's Big East opener ... The Wildcats have won all four meetings between the two schools since Virginia Tech joined the Big East Conference, including an 84-77 triumph at the Pavilion on Jan. 30 ... Gary Buchanan has scored 97 points (24.3) in four career games against the Hokies, including a career high 34 last Jan. 15 in Blacksburg, Va. ... The series began at the Palestra in 1968 with a 78-61 Wildcat win ... Carlos Dixon, Terry Taylor and Bryant Matthews each averages 14 ppg for the 6-6 Hokies ... Dixon scored 25 points against Villanova in the 77-75 loss at Virginia Tech last year ... He also connnects on .407 of his 3-point field goal attempts ... Ricky Wright posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in the 84-77 win at the Pavilion last season.
Tracking the Turnovers
It has been Villanova's most vexing dilemma in recent years and it surfaced again on Sunday.
Turnovers.
There were 23 by the 'Cats against Memphis. In its last three outings, Villanova has turned it over 66 times. Through 12 games, Villanova has committed 202 turnovers, an average of 16.8 per contest.
While that is an improvement over the school-record setting figures of the past two seasons - an 18.2 per game average in 2001-02 - it remains an area of concern.
The good news for the 'Cats is that, unlike the last two seasons, the defensive pressure they are applying is creating opponent mistakes as well. Memphis, for example, committed 22 of its own turnovers.
On the season Villanova's 12 foes have averaged 15.9 turnovers. In the past three games it has forced its opponents into 65 turnovers (21.7 per game).
Not surprisingly, it has been Villanova's most inexperienced players who have struggled the most in the turnover column. Of those 202 turnovers, 116 have been committed by freshmen.
In contrast, some of the Wildcats who struggled the most with turnovers have been much improved in 2002-03. Derrick Snowden's 52 assists have been offset by only 28 turnovers. Andrew Sullivan has 20 assists to 11 turnovers while Gary Buchanan has 21 assists to 17 turnovers, though Sunday wasn't a good day for Buchanan in that area (a season-high five turnovers.)
Buchanan's Boost
Although his final foray into the paint did not work out on Sunday, Gary Buchanan continues to make a crucial contribution to the Villanova cause.
Buchanan was 6-of-12 from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc in the 72-68 loss at Memphis. He ended the afternoon with 15 points but could only focus on the turnovers, especially the fateful one that cost Villanova a chance to tie with the clock winding down. It was the second time in two weeks that a Buchanan turnover on the final offensive possession put the 'Cats in harms way.
"This is exactly like Dayton," Buchanan stated. "That's what I was thinking on the floor. Coach (Wright) keeps putting his trust in me. Now it's up to me to make the plays."
It wasn't a great weekend for Buchanan. On Saturday, Butler's Darnell Archey extended his consecutive made free throw streak to 76, thereby erasing Buchanan's 2000-01 streak of 73 straight from the NCAA Division I record book.
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 record (.925). In his four seasons on the Main Line Buchanan is 291-of-315 (.9238).
Buchanan's name is already prominently displayed in the Villanova record book. His trio of 3-point field goals on Sunday at Memphis give him 280 for his career, two more than former all-time leader Kerry Kittles.
In addition, Buchanan is now within shouting distance of Dwayne McClain, who holds the No. 18 spot on the all-time VU list. Buchanan needs 16 more points - he has 1,539 - to jump past McClain.
Rebounding Setback
One factor in Villanova's fall on Sunday came on the glass. After winning the rebounding battle in nine of its first 11 games in 2002-03, the Wildcats were outrebounded by a 39-29 margin at Memphis.
That is most lopsided rebounding edge a Villanova opponent has enjoyed all season against the 'Cats. VU's six offensive rebounds were its fewest of the campaign and marked only the second time all year that Villanova did not reach double digits in that area.
On the year, Villanova is outrebounding its opponents 40.4-31.5.
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 24.5 and 28.1 mpg. Another (Curtis Sumpter) averages 12.3 mpg.
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 147-45 (.766) 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 87-13 (.870) in front of the Pavilion audience. In Big East play over that span Villanova is 40-10 (.800).
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: ar 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.
Villanova will face all of the Division I teams in the Philadelphia region this season. The 'Cats downed Drexel 64-41 on Nov. 22 at the Pavilion.
Big Five Standings 1. Pennsylvania 2-0 2. Villanova 2-1 2. Saint Joseph's 0-0 4. La Salle 0-1 5. Temple 0-2
On Deck
vs. ProvidenceSaturday, Jan. 11, 2003The Pavilion~4:05 p.m.Comcast SportsNetWZZD (990 AM) and ESPN (920 AM) Radio
Notes: The Friars and Wildcats split a pair of contests in 2001-02, both teams winning on their home floor ... Villanova holds an all-time series advantage of 42-31 ... 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.
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.
