Dec. 27, 2003
VILLANOVA WILDCATS (7-2)
vs.
UNC GREENSBORO SPARTANS (4-6)
Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003
2:00 p.m.
The Pavilion - Villanova, Pa.
Check out the men's basketball game notes, as Villanova will go after its fifth consecutive win on Sunday, Dec. 28 against the UNC-Greensboro Spartans. Tip-off is 2:00 p.m. at the Pavilion.
Columbia Pushed the 'Cats
On a night that was one part homecoming, one part holiday appetizer, and one part return to full roster strength for Villanova there was also a basketball game on Monday night.
That it was a gritty battle not fully settled until the final minute may have surprised some. But Villanova head coach Jay Wright was not among them.
"Knowing Joe (Jones)," said Wright of the former Villanova assistant now in his first season as head coach at Columbia, "I knew this team would battle us to the end. They have been in every game they've played so far.
"You have to give Columbia credit for the way they played. There's not too many times a team comes in and slices you up and you feel good for the guys. I think that team came in here and played harder than us."
Villanova scored the first basket of the night but it was the Lions that made the largest first half statement. Columbia's defense limited the Wildcats - who had shot 50 percent or better in three of its previous four games - to .355 shooting (11-of-31) from the field in the first half.
"We settled for a lot of jumpers," noted Wright.
The Wildcats took a 30-29 edge into the locker room at halftime.
A surge midway through the second half helped the 'Cats build a 57-45 edge. Yet Columbia responded with an 8-0 run of its own to get close.
Big plays by Allan Ray, Randy Foye and Mike Nardi helped VU subdue the Lions down the stretch.
"You can run through all of the excuses you want," said Wright after the game. "This was the first time we had our entire team. We had nine days off for exams. The guys are leaving to go home for Christmas after this game.
"If you are a good team, none of that should matter.
"Thank God it's a win. There's not much more positive you can say about it than that. You play at home and you want to take it to somebody. They took it to us."
Sumpter Breeze
Perhaps the most revealing statistic relating to Curtis Sumpter's importance to Villanova is reflected in the squad's won-lost record in games he has played.
When Sumpter has suited up in 2003-04, VU is 6-0.
When Sumpter was a spectator as a result of his suspension for the misuse of a university telephone access code, the 'Cast were 1-2.
On Monday night Sumpter authored another solid performance in helping the Wildcats stave off a challenge from Columbia. The native of Brooklyn, N.Y. scored 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field for 16 points.
The Columbia contest marked the third straight game in which Sumpter has connected on better than 50 percent of his field goal attempts. In that span he is 28-of-41 from the floor (.683), including 5-of-10 (.500) from beyond the 3-point arc.
This season Sumpter is averaging 18.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, tops in both categories on the Wildcats. He is converting .594 of his field goal attempts as well.
Sumpter also led the Wildcats against Columbia with nine rebounds.
On Dec. 12 Sumpter enjoyed his best effort as a collegian, scoring 39 points and grabbing nine rebounds in the 74-55 victory over Northeastern. He connected on 16-of-20 attempts from the field, 3-of-5 from beyond the 3-point arc and was perfect (4-of-4) at the free throw line.
It was the most points scored by a Villanova player since Kerry Kittles tallied 44 points against Boston College on Feb. 28, 1995.
The 38 Percent Solution
Villanova's defense is its backbone and in critical moments it was a lifeline for the 'Cats in the win over Columbia.
The Lions converted .377 of their field goal attempts on the night. It marked the eighth time in nine games this season that the Wildcats have held their opponents to 38 percent shooting or less from the field. Villanova is 7-1 in those games.
A troublesome problem for VU in 2002-03 was its 3-point field goal percentage defense. On the whole, the 'Cats have handled that well (.321 opponents 3-pt accuracry). But Columbia converted 10-of-26 (.385) from deep.
Turnovers Tumbled
One of the more hopeful signs for Villanova from Monday night's stat sheet could be found in the turnover column. As a unit, the Wildcats committed just seven turnovers, their fewest since March 2002 when they committed only four in a first round National Invitation Tournament victory over Manhattan at the Pavilion.
VU also was credited with 14 assists. It was the best turnover-to-assist ratio the squad has enjoyed in 2003-04.
Ray's Radar
When it needs points, one of the first places the Villanova offense looks is guard Allan Ray.
The Bronx, N.Y., native has been the 'Cats steadiest scorer and he is second to Sumpter in scoring (18.3 ppg). He is 20-of-45 (.444) from beyond the 3-point arc and is connecting on .504 of his field goal attempts.
"Allan is a hardnosed competitor and he's really done a nice job taking on a leadership role for us," notes Wright.
Ray played a pivotal role in the win over Columbia, particularly in the game's final 10 minutes. His feed set up Curtis Sumpter for a dunk with 5:41 remaining after the Lions had cut the Wildcats lead to 57-53.
Then, after a 3-point field goal by Allan MacQuarrie had brought the Lions to within 61-56 with 3:41 left, Ray answered with a 3-point field goal.
He ended the night with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and only one turnover.
Randy Is Ready
Wright notes that there is a significant difference between the Randy Foye who debuted at Villanova in 2002-03 and the maturing sophomore who has reached double digit points in every game the Wildcats have played thus far.
"Everyone knows Randy can shoot it," states Wright, "but he has really become a complete player with his work on defense."
The Newark, N.J. native relied on his scoring prowess to help lift the Wildcats past Columbia on Dec. 22. He scored 20 points, on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor and also established a new career high with four steals.
The only place where Foye didn't prosper was at the free throw line. He was just 5-of-10 from the charity stripe, a most unusual occurrence for a player who entered the game with a free throw percentage of .893. Indeed, the five misses were more than he had endured in the season's first eight games (three).
Foye averages 33.3 minutes per game and is connecting of .455 of his field goal attempts. He averages 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds a game from his guard position.
In addition, Foye has been one of the constants in what circumstances have dictated as an ever-changing lineup this season. Foye has started all nine gmes in 2003-04 along with backcourt partners Mike Nardi and Ray.
Suspension Summary
The suspensions related to the misuse of a university telephone access code revealed last March have now been completed.
The recap of those affected in 2003-04:
Marcus Austin (served 8 games, suspension complete)Andreas Bloch (served 5 games, suspension complete)Chris Charles (served 3 games, suspension complete)Derrick Snowden (served 3 games, suspension complete)Curtis Sumpter (served 3 games, suspension complete)
The Snow Forecast
Senior guard Derrick Snowden received medical clearance to return to full practice on Dec. 5. The senior guard underwent surgery on Aug. 27 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
"It's great to have 'Snow' back in practice," said Wright. "We are already benefiting from his experience."
Villanova's most tested player, the product of Baltimore's Archbishop Spalding High School led the Wildcats in minutes played in each of the past two seasons. He also topped the club in assists (3.5 apg) and 3-point shooting percentage (.432). His scoring average was 8.6 ppg.
After receiving medical clearance, Snowden served a three game suspension for his role in the misuse of a university telephone access code in March.
Snowden did not see action against Columbia.
Notable Notes
With Jason Fraser available for only ten minutes in the first nine games, VU is relying on a rebounding by committee formula. Six players are averaging 4.3 rebounds per game or better: Sumpter (8.5), Will Sheridan (7.1), Chris Charles (5.3), Foye (5.3), Ray (4.4) and Andreas Bloch (4.3)...
Villanova was the last Big East team to play its home opener in 2003-04 and the only one to begin the season with as many as seven contests away from home. Every other Big East member had played a home game by Dec. 2 (Miami opened that night at home after four games away from Coral Gables).
Pavilion Power
Villanova has capitalized on its homecourt advantage since the Pavilion opened its doors on Feb. 1, 1986. The Wildcats are 155-46 (.771) in the Pavilion all-time.
With its victory over Northeastern on Dec. 12, VU improved to 17-1 in all-time home openers at the Pavilion. The only loss came to Seton Hall in 1991.
The Wildcats have been especially proficient in the Pavilion in the last decade. Since 1994-95, Villanova is 93-13 (.877) on its primary homecourt. It is 23-4 (.852) in the Pavilion since Jay Wright became head coach in 2001.
Villanova also will host three regular season games at the Wachovia Center. Those dates include: Memphis (Jan. 6); Notre Dame (Jan. 10); and Connecticut (Feb. 28). Tickets are available for all three dates and can be ordered through Ticketmaster.
Fraser File
On Monday evening Jason Fraser was dealt a setback in his quest to return from multiple leg injuries that have plagued him throughout his career at Villanova.
Fraser entered the game against Columbia in the first half but was forced to leave after only one minute of action. His injury is described as an irritated patella tendon in his left knee that is unrelated to his previous knee woes.
He was scheduled to be examined following Christmas break, prior to the UNC Greensboro contest.
The 6-10 forward/center has endured an injury plagued 2003. This 2002 McDonald's All-American played through painful knee tendinits as a freshman before being forced to the sidelines on Feb. 22 with a stress reaction in his left foot. Shortly after being cleared to return to action in early March, Fraser learned that he would be forced to serve three games of suspension time for his role in the misuse of a university telephone access code.
Fraser ended his rookie campaign having played in 24 games with 7.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg averages.
On April 9, Fraser underwent surgery on both knees at nearby Bryn Mawr Hospital. Fraser spent much of the summer rehabilating his knees after surgery and only began to participate in individual instruction in mid-September.
After nine days of practicing with the team in late October, Fraser was forced to the sidelines with what was diagnosed as a stress fracture in his left heel. (The injury was unrelated to his previous foot ailment). Fraser donned a walking boot that he sported until returning to practice on Dec. 10.
Philadelphia Big Five
The historic tradition known as the Philadelphia Big Five continues in 2003-04. Villanova and its City Series rivals - La Salle, Penn, Saint Joseph's and Temple - will play a complete round-robin schedule.
Villanova defeated Temple (73-48), La Salle (74-63) and Penn (73-63). It will host Saint Joseph's on Feb. 3 in a contest that will be broadcast nationally by ESPN2.
Big Five Standings
Villanova 3-0Saint Joseph's 1-0Pennsylvania 0-2La Salle 0-1Temple 0-1
