Dante Cunningham- His Arrival and Freshman Year at Villanova - Senior Farewell

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

Here is the final set of the Senior Farewell series. (For previous entries, please go to the bottom of this post...)

It pays tribute to Dante Cunningham, whom, in all goes right, will be playing for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers next season. In June, Cunningham was drafted by Portland, with the third selection of the second round, of the NBA draft. His ultimate draft position was considerably higher, than any draft analysts anticipated.

So let's look back at how Cunningham's Villanova tenure began...

Dante Cunningham - Arrival and Freshman Year at Villanova - 2005-06 Season

I don't cover recruiting extensively. But the distinct impression that I've received, from researching it, is that Cunningham turned out to be a far better player, than recruiting analysts projected. He was not a McDonald's All-American, for example, like Scottie Reynolds, nor was he a particularly heralded recruit.

The 2005-06 Villanova media guide had this to say about Cunningham:

A superior leaper who brings multiple athletic skills to the frontcourt... Combines a solid face-up game with low-post moves... An excellent shot blocker who can also fill the lane on the break.

A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, Cunningham graduated from Potomac High School, where he played for coach Rico Reed, at which he excelled... once more, the media guide:

Averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots per game in leading Potomac to perfect (27-0) season... Named Washington Post Metropolitan Player of the Year... Previously played at St. John's H.S. in Washington, DC, where he was a teammate of Dwayne Anderson's... Averaged 10 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a junior...

And Jay Wright had this to say about Cunningham:

"Dante is a warrior who runs the floor extremely well, is a good rebounder and is an extremely skilled offensive player."

Although widely acknowledged for his considerable talent, Cunningham was rarely in the starting lineup, as a freshman - he made four starts, although he appeared in all 33 games. The main reason was the fact that the 2005-06 team was the best of Jay Wright's tenure, featuring future NBA players Allan Ray, Randy Foye, and Kyle Lowry, among others.

The 2005-06 team had an extraordinarily successful season, garnering a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament and reaching the Elite Eight, the first time Villanova had done so in nearly two decades (the last appearance had been in 1988, 18 years earlier). With such a talent-laden Wildcats squad, Cunningham, along with fellow freshman Shane Clark, were often used as defensive specialists.

Which is not to say that Cunningham didn't play a key role, off the bench...

• Named Big Five Rookie of the Year.
  
• Averaged 19.1 minutes/game, a significant amount of playing time for a freshman, on an outstanding team. Perhaps more revealing, however, was that his minimum number of minutes for any game was 10 - against Florida, in the Elite Eight loss.
  
• His scoring and rebounding averages were modest, but in the context of 19.1/minutes a game on a team with a multitude of scoring options - they're not bad - 2.2 points and 4.0 rebounds a contest.
• Blocked 19 shots and had 27 steals.
• The only real area where he needed to improve was at the foul line. He went to the line only 33 times, all season (one per game), and made just 13 of his attempts, a dreadful 39.4%.

Cunningham made his first appearance as a Villanova Wildcat in a regular-season game, against Stony Brook, at the Pavilion. He played 16 minutes, scoring four points, collecting half a dozen rebounds, a pair of steals, and an assist.

In assessing his freshman season, the 2008-09 Villanova media guide cited Cunningham's first appearance in Big East play, recording that Cunningham had-

Authored his best game as a Wildcat in his Big East debut, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds in a 76-67 win at Louisville on Jan. 5...

However, his most memorable game as a freshman came, as the media guide puts it:

His layup off an in-bounds feed with 3.0 seconds left helped lift VU to a 74-72 win over Cincinnati on Feb. 23... He ended that night with four points and six rebounds in a career-high 28 minutes...

Cunningham had set a then-career high in minutes against St. Joseph's, two weeks earlier, logging 26 minutes in the Wildcats' 71-58 victory over the Hawks.

Next up, of course - Cunningham's sophomore year of 2006-07...

Go Wildcats!

Of course, check back for the latest posts in the Senior Farewell series, in which I'll be looking back at the Villanova tenure of this final departing Wildcat, Dante Cunningham. The Dwayne Anderson, Frank Tchuisi, and Shane Clark series are now completed...

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

Dwayne Anderson's Senior Season - Marquette and More - Villanova Wildcat Senior Farewell

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

Today I will finish the series on Dwayne Anderson. His remarkable growth and development, during his final two years at Villanova, are a great testament to him and to the coaching staff under Jay Wright...

At the end of his sophomore year, Anderson wasn't even playing- let alone starting. Two years later, Anderson was receiving invitations to NBA tryout camps. He was not projected to be drafted in either round, and he was not. But the mere fact that he was even invited, is a great honor to him, as he prepares to presumably play overseas, as do most Villanova Wildcats...

Previous entries in the Anderson series:

Dwayne Anderson's Junior Year...
Dwayne Anderson's Arrival, Freshman, and Sophomore Years...

Dwayne Anderson's Senior Season and Departure - Marquette and More

Anderson's Heroics In The Victory over Marquette in the Big East Tournament

Back on March 12, Anderson had already secured himself a place in Villanova's storied March Madness history, by doing the following... Here is how I put it at the time, in-

Anderson, Redding Team Up for Winning, Rattling Layup at Buzzer, as #4 Villanova Escapes #5 Marquette, 76-75, in Big East Tournament!!! (Full Recap)

Dwayne Anderson made the biggest basket of his career, on the biggest assist of Reggie Redding's career, as the basketball gods permitted Anderson's layup - after a lengthy, agonizing rattle (and "rattle" is the only term that could describe it) around the rim at Madison Square Garden... and #4 Villanova advanced to the semifinals of the Big East tournament, stealing a 76-75 victory from #5 Marquette.

The shot will immediately be ranked as among the most exciting buzzer-beaters in Villanova's 29 Big East tournaments, and the sight of that ball finally dropping through the net just after the buzzer, will never be forgotten by anyone in attendance this afternoon, whether they were fans of Villanova or Marquette...

Within the blue-and-white Villanova partisans at the Garden, a sea of euphoria erupted...

You can click on the title above, or here, for the full recap...

In any other season, the thrilling finish to the Marquette game would have been - far and away - the most memorable and exciting. Since Villanova was already assured of a high NCAA bid regardless of the outcome, and Marquette is a very recently arrived rival, its significance in the long-term was not as great, however.

And naturally, none of us - including the Wildcats and their coaching staff - had any idea that there would be a Final Four appearance, or that Scottie Reynolds's layup finishing the Elite Eight victory over Pittsburgh, would go down in NCAA history, as among the most stunning finishes in the annals of the tournament.

So Anderson's layup to sink Marquette may be overshadowed - much in the same way as he was overshadowed as a senior by Dante Cunningham, his fellow Class of 2009 member and good friend. Their friendship goes all the way back to high school basketball in Silver Spring, Maryland, where both are from, although they played for different schools- Anderson for St. Thomas More, and Cunningham for Potomac.

Anderson's Senior Season, Pre-Marquette

The Villanova media guide's profile of Anderson, heading into this season, contained the following excerpts:

Emerged as a vital component in Villanova's surge to the Sweet 16 in 2007-08... Brings leadership, toughness, and athletic ability to the wing... A solid defender capable of guarding a wide range of opponents...

Started the final 14 games of the regular season... and helped ignite Villanova's run to the NCAA Tournament... The Wildcats were 9-5 with Anderson in the starting lineup and he averaged 9.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in those starts...

At the end of the season, the official site noted this fact about Anderson-

A fixture in Villanova's late season success in 2008 and '09 ... Emerged as a cornerstone leader of teams that advanced to the Sweet 16 (2008) and Final Four (2009)... Played some of the best basketball of his career in the BIG EAST and NCAA Tournaments ... Averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament.

It's an accurate assessment. Anderson missed the opening seven games of his senior campaign due to injury, but he returned at full strength - fortunately. Had Anderson's injury been more severe and he had consequently been unavailable this season, it's very likely that Villanova would not have been a #3 seed- or a Final Four participant.

Anderson's most conspicuous contribution to the NCAA tournament run came in the game that most endangered Villanova's presence in the tournament - the victory over American University in the first round.

It remains one of the richest ironies of a remarkable season, that Villanova's toughest NCAA victory, of their four triumphs, came against a #14 seed on one of its home courts, the Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia - while its victories over UCLA and Duke were blowouts.

While Pittsburgh was a far more formidable opponent than American, it should not be forgotten that Villanova was always in the game against the Panthers - and that they were not against the American Eagles, despite the deceptive final margin of 13 points. As I wrote at the time in-

NCAA First Round - #3 Villanova, Anderson Ascend Beyond #14 American Eagles, 80-67- After Trailing by 14 in 2nd Half (Part 1)

#3 Villanova avoided a stunning upset by a gallant #14 American squad on Thursday, overcoming a 14-point second-half deficit to cruise down the stretch for an 80-67 victory, that was far more harrowing for a Villanova fan, than the score would indicate. Dwayne Anderson scored a career-high 25 points, matched by Dante Cunningham's 25, to power the Wildcats into the second round.

Anderson did well against UCLA as well, two days later. He ended up recording a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in the easy second-round victory over the #6 Bruins.

Nor were Anderson's impressive numbers limited to March Madness. His finest regular-season game as a senior probably came on February 4 against Providence, when he also notched a double-double in the Wildcats victory, with 19 points and 10 rebounds. His career-high in rebounds was 15, also attained as a senior, against Seton Hall on January 6. The official site notes that the 15 boards were "the top rebounding performance by a Wildcat this season."

The official site goes on to note that Anderson finished tied for the lead in steals with 47, reached double figures in points 11 times, and in rebounds, four times. He had an outstanding season at the line, converting 81.1% of his opportunities. He also made a significant impact with his shooting accuracy, hitting a superb 46% of his shots from the floor and 32.3% from three-point range.

Anderson brought a fine mix of rebounding, shooting accuracy, and steals to the floor, and his role as a starter on one of Villanova's most storied teams - its fourth squad to reach a Final Four- will assure him of being remembered. He went from being a possible transfer candidate after his sophomore to season, to being a key starter during the stunning run to Detroit as a senior. Congratulations to him, and best of luck to him in the future...

Go Wildcats!

Of course, check back for the latest posts in the Senior Farewell series, in which I'll be looking back at the Villanova tenures of the final departing Wildcat - Dante Cunningham, who was the third pick of the second round by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. The Anderson, Frank Tchuisi, and Shane Clark series are now completed...

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

Cunningham's High 2nd-Round NBA Draft Selection Far Exceeds Draft Analysts' Projections - Why Was He So Undervalued?

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

Much to the surprise of those of us who followed the various and sundry mock NBA drafts- Wildcat Dante Cunningham was drafted far higher than their recent projections. Accordingly, it was certainly a pleasant surprise, for us Villanova fans.

I have no particular expertise on the NBA, and certainly not on the NBA draft. And so I had no choice, but to scour the many mock drafts available online, for a guess as to where Cunningham might end up...

So I was as surprised as everyone else, when I learned that he had been the third pick in the second round - far higher than any analyst had recently projected.

To be fair to the analysts, they had - at one point - rated Cunningham's stock far more highly. Back in the spring, a consensus of mock drafts at that time rated him as a high second-round pick (i.e., what eventually took place).

However, as I noted earlier this week, Cunningham's stock among analysts had dropped considerably, over the past several weeks.

I researched a dozen mock drafts - not a single one had him drafted, above the 36th selection (i.e., the sixth pick of the second round, and three spots below where he was actually drafted). In fact, most had him in the middle and bottom of the second round - and there were a pair of mock drafts that projected Cunningham to go undrafted completely.

Yet the evidence of widespread NBA interest in Cunningham was clearly visible. The fine site VUHoops assembled the full list of ten NBA teams, for which Cunningham had been invited to work out - one/third of the league, in fact. (Portland, naturally, was one of them.)

It's difficult for me to imagine why a player would be invited to ten camps, and then go undrafted completely, but that's what two analysts had. Others had him drafted, but near the very end of the second round.

Here's a list of mock drafts I assembled yesterday, and where they had Cunningham drafted, in descending order of accuracy:

• DraftExpress.com - 36th overall (the most accurate).
• TheHoopsReport.com - 49th overall,
• InsideHoops.com- Projected him in a group for the 41st-50th selections
• TheDraftReview.com - by Michael Maurer - 53rd overall
• RidiculousUpside.com - which is a great name - 56th overall selection
  
• HoopsVibe.com - undrafted.

Also, here's the list of mock NBA drafts I assembled Wednesday, in no particular order of accuracy:

• NBADraft.net projected Cunningham as the 49th selection overall, by the Atlanta Hawks.
• Hoopsworld.com projected him as the 57th selection overall, by the Phoenix Suns (i.e., the end of the second round; there will be 60 selections made).
• MyNBADraft.com did not project him to be selected at all, surprisingly.
• NBADraftDepot.com projected him as the 58th selection overall, by the Boston Celtics.
• NBADraftPress.com projected him as the 45th selection overall, by the Minnesota Timberwolves (who have just traded his former Villanova Wildcat teammate, Randy Foye to the Washington Wizards).

In summary-

Of these eleven mock drafts, nobody projected Cunningham higher than 36th. In fact, that single draft was the only one that had Cunningham higher than 45th. (If we look at the one that threw him into the group from 41-50, it's fair to say that he had him projected 45th as well, right in the middle). Everyone else had him at the bottom of the round, either in the late 40s or 50s or undrafted.

So why was Cunningham so undervalued?

My best speculative answer:

Cunningham was an unheralded recruit. In addition, he did not emerge as a star player until his senior season, after which he deservedly received the Big East award for Most Improved Player. Draft analysts take their craft very seriously. (I was astonished to see that several weeks ago, they already had mock 2010 drafts in place.)

And since Cunningham would not have been considered a significant NBA prospect for much of his Villanova career, they probably did not have him in mind as a certain NBA draft pick. Essentially, they didn't recognize how much Cunningham had improved as a senior.

But more importantly, ten NBA teams did. Otherwise, they wouldn't have seriously considered drafting him. And Cunningham's high draft choice is a testament to his growth as a player while at Villanova.

Go Wildcats!

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

Congratulations to Dante Cunningham - 33rd Selection Overall by the Portland Trailblazers

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

Congratulations to Dante Cunningham, who was taken as the 33rd selection overall in last night's NBA Draft. The Portland Trail Blazers selected the Villanova power forward with the third pick of the second round - which reflects how highly they thought of him.

According to the Villanova media guide, Cunningham would be the 39th Wildcat to play in the NBA, should he make the Trail Blazers squad...

I have a complete and detailed analysis of Cunningham's selection in the next post...

(Regrettably - although this did not come as a surprise in any way - his teammate Dwayne Anderson was not selected...)

Here's the official statement from Villanova:

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Dante Cunningham, who helped lead the Villanova Wildcats to the 2009 NCAA Final Four as a senior, was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 33rd overall pick in the National Basketball Association draft on Thursday night.

"We are thrilled for Dante," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "Our team watched the draft together and all of us are very proud. We knew the Trail Blazers liked him - they said from the beginning that he was a good fit for their organization."

Cunningham - who was in his native Maryland watching with family members on draft night - was named the BIG EAST's Most Improved Player and paced the `Cats in scoring (16.2 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg). He was also selected second team All-BIG EAST and first team All-Philadelphia Big Five for his efforts in 2008-09.

In addition, he was an integral part of the winningest class in Villanova basketball history. Over the course of his four seasons, VU won 102 games, advanced to three NCAA Tournament Sweet 16's, a pair of NCAA Elite Eights and the school's first Final Four since the 1985 squad captured its improbable crown.

The native of Silver Spring, Md., becomes the third `Cat in the last four seasons to hear his name called on draft night. Former teammates Randy Foye and Kyle Lowry were both first round selections in the 2006 NBA draft.

Go Wildcats!

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

Still More Mock NBA Drafts - Where Does Dante Cunningham Go?

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

Following up on yesterday's post, here are some more mock NBA drafts, speculating as to the fate of Dante Cunningham this evening...

There is also the slim possibility that Dwayne Anderson will be drafted as well, but I have been unable to find any mock drafts that include him...

VUHoops also has posted A Look at Dante in the Draft, which is a great roundup of the considerable number of NBA teams who have invited Cunningham for a workout, as well as the draft positions of all of those teams, so check that out...

At The Villanovan Sports Blog, David Cassilo has posted a fine analysis of the two seniors, along with a great photo of the two of them celebrating after the NCAA tournament victory over Pittsburgh, due to the blue jerseys and NCAA towels Cassilo fearlessly predicts that Cunningham will be selected as the 44th pick by the Detroit Pistons - thus returning to the city that hosted the Final Four, ironically. (As for me - I am making no predictions.) He also joins the consensus (which I also join) that it is extremely unlikely that Anderson will be drafted.

BleacherReport.com's Mark Strotman has a very substantive and detailed capsule of each of his projected selections. Here's what he had to say about Cunningham, whom he projects as the 40th overall selection:

40. Charlotte Bobcats: Dante Cunningham, SF, Villanova

I got to see Cunningham play a lot last year and came away very impressed with the Big East’s Most Improved Player. His work in the post could use a bit of shaping up, but his ability to knock down 15-footers was probably better than most 6′8″ players in the nation not named Tyler Hansbrough. He will, however, need to get a little faster.

NBA Comparison: Jeff Green

Examiner.com also writes about Cunningham:

39. Detroit Pistons - Dante Cunningham (6'8" 230, Forward) Senior, Villanova

Analysis: Cunningham is an under-sized, athletic power forward who will earn a job by consistently knocking down 12-18 foot jump shots. In addition to his shooting touch, he’s also very active and plays with great emotion.

Here are some other mock drafts that I've found, which reflect a widespread belief that Cunningham will be a second-round selection, although his place within that round fluctuates wildly (and an occasional draft will exclude him completely).

(One note: not every analyst bothers with the second round, so naturally, there isn't as broad a consensus as there is with the first round.)

• DraftExpress.com - 36th overall selection (high second round), by the Memphis Grizzlies
• TheHoopsReport.com - 49th overall selection, by the Atlanta Hawks.
• InsideHoops.com
  - Places him in a group with ten other players, although he does not specify in
  what order, or by which team: "NBA MOCK DRAFT: MID/LATE SECOND ROUND: 41-50 - Jodie Meeks, Paul Harris, Robert Dozier, Toney Douglas, Jack McClinton, Danny Green, Jeff Adrien, Dante Cunningham, Jeremy Pargo, Jon Brockman, Dionte Christmas"
• HoopsVibe.com - Undrafted.
• RidiculousUpside.com - which is a great name - 56th overall selection, by the Portland Trailblazers. (The author also has Temple's Dionte Christmas, ironically, being taken one spot earlier by Portland as well.)
• TheDraftReview.com, by Michael Maurer - the 53rd overall selection, by the San Antonio Spurs.

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

Wildcats Cunningham, Anderson Learn Their NBA Draft Fate On Thursday Evening - Roundup of Various Mock Draft Projections

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

The 2009 NBA draft - long-awaited and the source of much speculation during the warm-weather months, when the Pavilion is silent - finally arrives Thursday night at 7 PM...

Dante Cunningham is widely believed to be a second-round selection. It appears, however, that his stock has dropped, as the heat and humidity of Philadelphia has risen. Back in the spring, the initial mock drafts reflected a broad consensus that he would be an early second-round selection.

However, for reasons which aren't entirely clear, the mock drafts are now showing him no higher than the middle of the second round, with some even putting him at the tail end of the round (or in one case, out of it completely).

I have no particular expertise on the dynamics of the NBA draft, so I can only speculate that the decisions of other players (both in North America and overseas) to enter the draft, may have pushed him to the back of the line.

• NBADraft.net projects Cunningham as the 49th selection overall, by the Atlanta Hawks.
• Hoopsworld.com projects him as the 57th selection overall, by the Phoenix Suns (i.e., the end of the second round; there will be 60 selections made).
• MyNBADraft.com does not project him to be selected at all, surprisingly.
• NBADraftDepot.com projects him as the 58th selection overall, by the Boston Celtics.
• NBADraftPress.com projects him as the 45th selection overall, by the Minnesota Timberwolves (who have just traded his former Villanova Wildcat teammate, Randy Foye to the Washington Wizards).

Although he has not been included in any of the mock drafts, there has been a late flurry of interest in Dwayne Anderson as well... The fine site VUHoops has reported that Anderson has been invited to pre-draft workouts by Oklahoma City, as well as Charlotte...

Earlier this month, junior Scottie Reynolds - in light of the fact that he almost certainly would not have been drafted at all, based on the mock drafts - withdrew his name from consideration and will return to Villanova for his senior season...

Note: You can also read more on Cunningham and Anderson's draft prospects here, written on Thursday, June 25 - Draft Day.

Go Wildcats!

Of course, check back for the latest posts in the Senior Farewell series, in which I'll be looking back at the Villanova tenures of the two final departing Wildcats - Anderson and Cunningham; the Frank Tchuisi and Shane Clark series are now already completed...

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

A Superb Profile of Dante Cunningham in Nova Notebook on Villanova.com

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

As you've seen, I've started the series of Senior Farewells to our four graduating seniors - Shane Clark (whose first three years are already chronicled), Dante Cunningham, Frank Tchuisi, and Dwayne Anderson. Cunningham, according to a consensus of mock NBA drafts, is likely to be a high-to-middle second round selection, in late June.

For a superb look at Dante Cunningham, as he prepares for his new life in the NBA, take a look at Nova Notebook on Villanova.com, the official site of Villanova athletics... this was published earlier today, Tuesday, May 5...

I think this was a great article, particularly because it accurately notes that Cunningham was not expected - at least by recruiting analysts - to be a star player at Villanova. However, I speculate that Jay Wright and the coaching staff may have seen a potential star in Cunningham all along... Cunningham's new status as near-certain NBA draft pick represents one of the most impressive player developments in the history of Villanova Wildcats basketball... and it really was a great recruiting decision by Wright and the staff to land him and bring him here...

Here are some key excerpts from the article, written by director of media relations Mike Sheridan...

One month has passed since Villanova returned from the Final Four and the careers of Cunningham and classmates Dwayne Anderson, Shane Clark, and Frank Tchuisi officially entered the homestretch. As seniors headed for graduation later this month, they are still a part of the basketball family. They remain a presence on campus in class rooms and at the Davis Center.

...When he came to Villanova in 2006, he was an unheralded prospect from Silver Spring, Md. Though he had enjoyed a superb senior season at Potomac High School, earning Washington Post Player of the Year honors, his was hardly a ballyhooed arrival...

As a senior, he blossomed, earning Most Improved Player honors in the BIG EAST while averaging 16.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per outing for a group that led the Wildcats back to the Final Four for the first time since 1985. Along the way, he also took what he learned from the likes of Randy Foye, Allan Ray, [Curtis] Sumpter, and Mike Nardi to become a complete vocal leader...

With the passage of a few weeks since the season ended in Detroit, Cunningham and friends have had a few moments to finally peer back at what they accomplished. They know there is now a new standard in place for victories by a single Villanova class (102) that belongs to them. It's a fact that has been brought to the attention of their younger peers - "I think they'll have to go like 38-0 to catch us" quips Cunningham - and will remain a source of honor for the soon to be alums...

The fine site VUHoops.com also has its thoughts on the article...

Of course, check back for the latest posts in the series, in which I'll be looking back at the Villanova tenures of each of the four departing Wildcats...

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

Where Does NBADraftPress Have Villanova Wildcats Reynolds and Cunningham in Its 2009 NBA Mock Draft?

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

Yet another NBA mock draft - this time from NBADraftPress - is projecting Dante Cunningham as a high second-round pick, and Scottie Reynolds being undrafted...

This draft was updated by Lance Walton on April 21...

It has Cunningham being drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 36th overall pick, the sixth pick of the second round...

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

NBADraft.net's Mock 2009 Draft, Updated April 21 - Does It Include Villanova Wildcats Reynolds and Cunningham?

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

Take a look at NBADraft.net's Mock NBA Draft, updated April 21...

It has Dante Cunningham as the 33rd overall pick, the third pick of the second round - and Scottie Reynolds undrafted....

Unfortunately, in contrast to DraftExpress, it did not provide its analysis, as to whether Reynolds's decision to test the waters would make any difference...

Go Wildcats!

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

Read If (and Where) DraftExpress Has Villanova's Reynolds and Cunningham in Its 2009 Mock NBA Draft, in the Wake of Reynolds's Announcement

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

DraftExpress.com has a mock 2009 NBA draft, which was last updated on April 20. Although the most recent update came before Scottie Reynolds announced that he might consider foregoing his senior season at Villanova, it almost certainly did not affect the site's analysis, as you'll read below, in the wake of Reynolds's announcement...

DraftExpress has Dante Cunningham going far later than TheDraftReview, which had Cunningham as the 35th overall pick, in the early second round. DraftExpress doesn't have Cunningham going until the 52nd overall pick, near the end of the second round, by the Indiana Pacers... and like TheDraftReview, it has Reynolds going undrafted...

Here's what the DraftExpress blog had to say on the news of Reynolds testing the waters:

• Scottie Reynolds Will Test the Waters

Villanova combo guard and NCAA tournament darling Scottie Reynolds will announce his intentions to “test the waters” shortly, according to sources close to the situation. Reynolds is a junior and thus has very little to lose, although he also doesn’t have much to gain either, since he’s unlikely to be invited to the pre-draft camp and probably won’t garner more than a handful of workouts as teams increasingly look to cut costs.

There are two ways you can contact Villanova Viewpoint. One is by commenting on this blog. Comments are encouraged, and will always be answered. Also, you can e-mail villanova.viewpoint@yahoo.com (Important note: This is a different e-mail address than before. Please use this new one.)

Read If (and Where) A NBA Draft Expert Has Villanova Wildcats Cunningham and Reynolds in His 2009 Mock Draft

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

As we continue our speculation as to the immediate NBA futures of Villanova seniors Dante Cunningham (who will be graduating) and Scottie Reynolds (only a junior), I've found a very substantive site on the topic, published by an NBA draft expert, Matt Maurer - TheDraftReview.com.

On March 30, Maurer published his latest version of the 2009 Mock Draft. Of course, of primary interest to Villanova fans, is if and where Maurer projects Cunningham and Reynolds to appear. And it's the best possible news for us, as fans. Here's why:

1. We can wish Cunningham well, as he's projected to be in the second round, as the 35th selection overall, by Minnesota. Ironically, with the Timberwolves, he could join former Villanova Wildcat teammate Randy Foye. They played together on the 2005-06 team, when Foye was a senior, and Cunningham was a freshman.
2. Unfortunately for Reynolds, but fortunately for us- Maurer does not project Reynolds to be drafted in 2009.

Obviously, if Maurer's draft projections are correct, it's the optimal situation for all parties concerned:

• Cunningham gets to play in the league, and Villanova can boast of yet another NBA player.
• Reynolds would most likely return for his senior year, where he can help Villanova contend for another City Series title, Big East regular-season and tournament championships, and perhaps - dare I say it - another Final Four (or even a national championship.)
  
• And presumably, Reynolds's NBA stock might rise if he has another superb season, and is just as visible in March Madness (and "One Shining Moment").
  

So, hopefully, the basketball gods will permit Maurer's scenario to take place...

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NCAA First Round - #3 Villanova, Anderson Ascend Beyond #14 American Eagles, 80-67- After Trailing by 14 in 2nd Half (Part 2 - The Box Score)

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

#3 Villanova 80, #14 American 67 - NCAA First Round, The Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Part 2 - Looking At The Box Score

You can also read Part 1 of the #3 Villanova/#14 American recap...

The senior duo of Dwayne Anderson and Dante Cunningham were the offensive engines tonight. As great a player as Cunningham has become, tonight belonged to his good friend Anderson. Anderson had the finest game of his Villanova career on the biggest stage, and on an evening when his Wildcats teammates needed him the most. Anderson finished with 25 points on incredible 9-10 shooting. He made four of his five three-point attempts. Most importantly, he had a knack for coming up with a triple when it was most needed, and he was the only Wildcat to show a formidable offensive punch in the first half, which American won 41-31. And it wasn't just filling up the Wachovia Center nets. Anderson also grabbed eight rebounds, including three on the offensive end.

Looking at Cunningham - he also had an exemplary performance - 25 points (including 7-7 from the line), seven rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. Unbelievable night from the two seniors...

Only seven Wildcats saw action; Antonio Pena, who usually sees some minutes, did not play at all, probably because Villanova did not need size, but quickness, and also because nobody got into foul trouble. Cunningham, who had been plagued with it recently, finished with only one foul in 36 minutes...

Scottie Reynolds continues to struggle. The Eagles effectively neutralized the high-octane junior, limiting him to eight points on just 2-7 shooting, and dealing two assists against four turnovers. He did rebound and defend well (three rebounds and three steals), but for Villanova to advance deep into the tournament, they have to figure out a way to turn him loose. Granted, opposing defenses have zeroed in on him and so we can expect him to be well-defended, so we'll see what happens....

Reggie Redding had a respectable game, contributing on defense and the glass. He finished with four blocks, four rebounds, and two assists, committing only one turnover. On the offensive end, he made a rare three-pointer, his only field goal, while missing his other three shots; he was 1-2 from the line.

Likewise for the third regular senior, Shane Clark - it was a passable game. In 19 minutes, Clark had three rebounds, three assists, and no turnovers - although he had only two points, both coming at the line; he missed both field goal attempts. His minutes were limited by the fact that he's a defender, and Villanova trailed for most of the game (another reason why Pena didn't get in at all). The Coreys got more minutes as a result...

Off the Bench

Corey Fisher was the third Wildcat, along with the senior duo, who had a unequivocally good performance. Fisher scored 11 points (mostly at the line, where he was 9-10), four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. The downside was that he committed three turnovers and was 1-5 from the floor in 27 minutes...

Corey Stokes had a respectable game, coming off the bench for just 16 minutes. Stokes scored five points on 2-6 shooting (1-5 from beyond the arc), three rebounds, and a single assist, turnover, steal, block, and personal foul ("1"s spread along his box score line.

Looking at the Wildcats as a team, the team may have won the game at the line. The Wildcats made an incredible 26 of their 29 free throws (89.7%), and those were the reason why the final score was so deceptively lopsided. For a team that led the game by a significant margin for three-quarters of play, the Eagles took just five free throws for the entire game, a shocking number. And they only made three of them.

The Wildcats also shot well (28-50, 49%) and hit a decent number of threes (6-18, 33%). They crushed the smaller Eagles on the glass, 32-20, and blocked eight shots to American's one. What was not impressive were the 16 turnovers. In contrast, American had more assists (16), than turnovers (12).

Enormous kudos must be extended to the American Eagles, who demonstrated that they should not have been taken lightly. They had the additional disadvantage of playing on Villanova's quasi-home court, and they turned in a fantastic performance.

It had been anticipated that American's Big Three would be the most significant threat to Villanova's advancement, and that turned out to be accurate. Garrison Carr had an outstanding evening, one of the best performances that any of Villanova's 21st-century NCAA opponents has had. The diminutive Carr scored 22 points on 8-18 shooting, including 6-14 from beyond the arc, in 37 minutes.

Derrick Mercer played all 40 minutes, scoring 17 points on 8-16 shooting, while adding four assists and three steals. Brian Gilmore played 36 minutes, had 16 points on 7-15 shooting, although he was held to 2-9 from beyond the arc. (Commenter Seamus insightfully noted in his comment to Part 1, that one of Gilmore's misses early in the second half, and Dante Cunningham's layup on the ensuing possession, helped to keep the game within reach.) Gilmore added four rebounds, four assists, and a pair of steals.

American coach Jeff Jones used nine players, but the Big Three played the most minutes; fellow starters Jordan Nichols (the Maryland high school opponent of Anderson, Cunningham and Reynolds) and Frank Borden played 27 and 26 minutes respectively, but did not have a large impact. Their sixth man, sophomore guard Joe Hendra, was ineffective, playing 16 minutes, scoring no points while missing four shots (including three triples). Three other Eagles saw action off the bench, but the Eagles bench combined for a grand total of two points, while the Coreys added 16 points.

Check back through the weekend, as I'll be adding #6 UCLA materials for Villanova's second-round game, set for tip-off early Saturday afternoon... and take a look at the Various Viewpoints on the right sidebar...

Go Wildcats!