by Craig Dimitri
E-mail: novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
The Wildcats made a rare trip to a minor-conference opponent on Thursday, November 30, traveling up to Long Island (where Jay Wright coached for several years at Hofstra), to take on the Stony Brook Seawolves. The game was noteworthy for the locals, as the big-time Villanova name brought upon a sellout of the Seawolves' 16-year-old venue - only the second time it has ever been sold out for a Seawolves game.
Unfortunately, the crowd was disappointed, as their dreams of a huge upset did not materialize. Villanova led 42-18 at halftime - and had they not scored a single point in the second half, they still almost would have won - as the final was 72-44. Three Wildcats scored in double figures - Curtis Sumpter (14 points), Shane Clark (11 points), and Dante Cunningham (10 points). The Seawolves managed no double-digit scorers, as three players each finished with eight points.
Villanova improved to 5-1 overall, while the Seawolves sank to 3-4.
The Wildcats will return to Philadelphia on Saturday, December 2, to open City Series play with Penn at the Palestra.
Questions? Comments? Information? You can contact Craig Dimitri at novaviewpoint@yahoo.com.
by Craig Dimitri
E-mail: novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
It took a season-high 20 points from Mike Nardi, as well as strong performances from Curtis Sumpter and Dante Cunningham, to permit Villanova to finally sink Navy, 70-61, on Saturday. After the Wildcats bombarded Navy in the first half, leading 33-19 at halftime, the Navy squad was fully engaged throughout the second half and consistently refused to surrender. The Midshipmen kept firing salvos, approaching as close as 51-49 with 7:49 to play, and remained within firing range, trailing just 62-58 with 3:02 remaining and the Pavilion spectators growing nervous.
At that point, Sumpter made a key play to buoy the 'Nova fleet - he was fouled on a triple attempt and converted all three free throws, boosting the lead to 65-58 and dooming Navy to the bottom of the Schuylkill, so to speak. Villanova improved to 4-1, while Navy sank to 4-2.
The game marked the return of former VU coordinator of basketball operations Billy Lange, now the head coach of Navy, and one of the youngest head coaches in Division I basketball.
Questions? Comments? Information? You can contact Craig Dimitri at novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
by Craig Dimitri
E-mail: novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
Villanova finished a respectable third in the Paradise Jam holiday tournament in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, by crushing Iowa, 89-60, on Monday.
Curtis Sumpter continues his stellar play, leading the Wildcats with 26 points. Dwayne Anderson added 18 points, while Mike Nardi contributed 16 points. For Iowa, Adam Haluska led the way with 18 points; his fellow Hawkeye Kurt Looby, a native of nearby Antigua, scored 13 points and swatted three Wildcat shots.
The Wildcats improved to 3-1, while Iowa fell to 2-2, taking fourth place in the eight-team tournament. Villanova will return to the North American mainland, as Navy sails up to the Main Line on Saturday, November 25. The game will mark the return of former VU coordinator of basketball operations Billy Lange, now the head coach at Navy.
Questions? Comments? Information? You can contact Craig Dimitri at novaviewpoint@yahoo.com.
by Craig Dimitri
E-mail: novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
The Xavier Musketeers slashed Villanova's hopes of an undefeated season on Sunday, vanquishing the Wildcats, 71-66, in the semifinals of the Paradise Jam holiday tournament in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands.
Curtis Sumpter and Shane Clark both scored 17 points to lead the Wildcats, while Stanly Burrell scored a game-high 26 points to pace Xavier to victory.
It was a tough loss for Villanova, who had a golden opportunity to take the game at the buzzer. Sumpter put up a miss, trailing 68-66, with 15 seconds to go, and Dante Cunningham was fouled while corralling the rebound, giving him two free throws. Unfortunately, the sophomore forward only converted one of the two, but 'Nova recovered the rebound and Mike Nardi launched what would have been the winning triple, had it dropped in. But it didn't, and so 'Nova was defeated.
The Musketeers remain undefeated at 3-0, while the Wildcats fell to 2-1, and will now take on Iowa in the third-place contest on Monday.
Questions? Comments? Information? You can contact Craig Dimitri at novaviewpoint@yahoo.com.
by Craig Dimitri
E-mail: novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
Villanova (2-0) secured an 81-68 victory in the opening round of the Paradise Jam holiday tournament in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, over the College of Charleston. Four Wildcats scored in double figures. Curtis Sumpter led the way with 17 points and five rebounds, while Mike Nardi added 16 points, Will Sheridan had 14 points and eight rebounds, and Shane Clark provided 14 points and half a dozen rebounds. For the College of Charleston, Josh Jackson led the way, scoring 13 points and pulling down four rebounds.
The Wildcats' next contest will be against Xavier on Sunday, November 19, in the semifinals of the tournament.
Questions? Comments? Information? You can contact Craig Dimitri at novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
by Craig Dimitri
E-mail: novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
Now the circle is complete. On Veterans' Day, Jay Wright completed the circle of his coaching career by defeating his mentor, legendary former Villanova coach Rollie Massimino, on Saturday. This time, the student defeated the master, although Rollie's Northwood squad was hopelessly overmatched - the Wildcats won easily, 97-69, in the season opener for both schools.
Villanova had a lead of 30-8 to start the game, and even with Wright emptying his bench, the Wildcats held a huge advantage at intermission, 56-29. Leaders for Villanova: Curtis Sumpter had 16 points and seven boards in just 20 minutes. Dwayne Anderson dropped in 16 points and hauled in a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman Scottie Reynolds poured in 13 points on perfect 6-6 shooting. All but one of the dozen Wildcats who got on the floor scored, with the lone exception being Frank Tchuisi.
Villanova will enjoy a near-week-long respite, before heading to the sunny Caribbean as one of the eight participants in the Paradise Jam holiday tournament, hosted in the Virgin Islands. Their first opponent there will be the College of Charleston, whom they will face on November 17.
Questions? Comments? Information? You can contact Craig Dimitri at novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
by Craig Dimitri
E-mail: novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
On Tuesday, November 6 - Election Day - there was no recount needed at the Pavilion. The Wildcats had no trouble in crushing an overmatched Holy Family squad in an exhibition game, 82-44, nearly doubling up the visitors' point total. Holy Family gallantly battled during the first half, trailing just 39-29 at halftime, but the Wildcats embarked on a 27-3 run to open the second half, during which the Tigers missed 19 of their 21 shots and ultimately shot just 23% for the contest. The Wildcats merely cruised afterwards.
Fifth-year senior Curtis Sumpter, playing for the first time since suffering his knee injury, was awesome, scoring 20 points and pulling down nine rebounds. But even better was sophomore Dwayne Anderson, who shot 4-5 from three-point range, ultimately scoring 14 points in just 12 minutes of action. Senior Will Sheridan added 10 points and seven rebounds, while all 13 Wildcats who saw action managed to score.
The Wildcats will officially open the season on Saturday, November 10, when they travel to Northwood.
Questions? Comments? Information? You can contact Craig Dimitri at novaviewpoint@yahoo.com
