DePaul Downs 'Nova at Pavilion, 73-65

On Saturday, January 6, the DePaul Blue Demons won their first game in metropolitan Philadelphia since the Bicentennial year of 1976 (although in fairness, they rarely get opportunities to do so), by triumphing over 'Nova at the Pavilion, 73-65.

It was a rare Pavilion loss for 'Nova, who can usually bank on victories at the cozy on-campus venue. Of more troubling concern, is the fact that DePaul is neither ranked, nor a power, this year (this victory raised their record to only 1-1 Big East, 10-6 overall). Moreover, Villanova has no fewer than five home games scheduled, at the more visitor-friendly Wachovia Center this year, including four Big East contests. Consequently, there are only four Big East home games at the Pavilion, and a visit from unimposing DePaul was thus a game Villanova needed to have in the win column. This was a game that most Villanova fans would have pencilled in as a victory, to be sure.

But it didn't happen. DePaul was paced by Sammy Mejia's 23 points, Wilson Chandler's double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds), as well as 13 points from Draelon Burns (a great name!). For Villanova, Scottie Reynolds continues to play well, scoring 25 points. Curtis Sumpter (15 points) and Mike Nardi (13 points) also reached double figures.

Villanova fell to 0-2 Big East, 10-4 overall. (Although this really isn't a fair comparison, 'Nova had only five losses during the entirety of last season's magical run to the Elite Eight and a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament). The Wildcats will travel to Washington to take on Georgetown, on Monday, January 8.