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Clobbering the Colonials
I am going to start this preview in an unorthodox fashion: with a spoiler. The Villanova Wildcats will win their first-round game against the Robert Morris Colonials. While I might consider opening up a psychic hotline ala Miss Cleo, it won’t be because I can see the future. It is entirely unthinkable that the Colonials would pull off an upset on Thursday. That is why the game will be played at 12:30pm and it is the reason Robert Morris was given a 15-seed: the Colonials are expected to lose. [Tickets]
It would probably even be a surprise if the Wildcats didn’t win this game in blowout fashion. Accuscore gives the Colonials only a 13% chance of winning. Regardless, you are going to watch. Why? For one or more of the following reasons: (1) You’re the kind of diehard that watched the Fordham and Delaware games, (2) You would never skip an NCAA tournament game or (3) You REALLY need the catharsis of watching the ‘Cats dominate an opponent. Read more
West Virginia Preview
The 10th ranked Mountaineers head to South Philly on Saturday to take on #9 Villanova in a battle for the 2-seed in the 2010 BIG EAST Tournament. This will be the first matchup between the two schools at ‘Nova’s off-campus home.
‘Nova (24-5, 13-4) looks to repeat last month’s win over West Virginia in Morgantown when Scottie Reynold paved the way for the Wildcats with 21 points.
Free throws were the difference in the first game as WVU missed 14 attempts from the charity stripe, and they remain a difference to this point in the season as Villanova has over 100 more attempts at the line than Bob Huggins’ squad over the season. Read more
Battling the Bearcats
In the month of January the Wildcats were unstoppable. In fact, other than a Big 5 ‘oopsie’ against Temple, the ‘Cats had been largely unblemished since November. All good things must come to an end, however, and February brought the toughest portion of Villanova’s schedule, and it showed in their record. With two games left, however, it is still possible for Villanova to improve on it’s regular season record from last year (25-6, 13-5). With a win at Cincinnati, the ‘Cats will match last year’s mark in the Big East win-column.
The Bearcats have something far more meaningful to play for: Cincy still has a small hope of earning a bid to the NCAA tournament. They need a big win this week to keep their bubble inflated. You can expect them to give Villanova everything they’ve got in front of a home crowd. Read more
Juice the Cuse
ESPN College Gameday decided to hold court at the Syracuse game before the season, and since that time, it has been one of the most anticipated games on the schedule. When Syracuse came hot out of the gate to start the season, going undefeated in the non-conference schedule, the anticipation only grew. Both schools have been looking forward to this game (someone even created a twitter account for Andy Rautin’s Hair)
The Fruit have their share of notable wins this season (as well as notable losses), and come into this game with a 26-2 record (13-2 in conference). They are one game ahead of Villanova in the hunt for the Big East title, making this game every bit as meaningful as the build-up would have you believe. Read more
Bringing on the Bulls
A victory-seeking South Florida squad heads to The Pavilion for a match up with Villanova tonight, to take a Wildcat squad that is looking to return to its winning ways.
Sadly riding the team’s first two-game losing streak in 24 months, ‘Nova is looking to rebound off of those 2 consecutive losses to UConn and Pittsburgh as they host the Bulls. Luckily ‘Nova finds itself in very safe quarters having won 36 consecutive games at their on-campus home.
USF Head Coach Stan Heath noted, “This is a pivotal, pivotal game, they’re coming off two losses, so they’re not going to be a happy bunch of guys and we just laid an egg and we’re not very happy either.” Read more
Previewing Pitt
The Pitt Panthers were picked by the coaches to finish 9th in the conference before the season started. The coaches were off by quite a bit; the #19/#21 Panthers are 4th in the conference right now with a 9-4 record (20-6 overall).
Pittsburgh’s losses this season include: Texas, Indiana, Georgetown, Seton Hall, South Florida and West Virginia. Losses to USF and Seton Hall seem less than inspiring, but the Panthers also have wins over West Virginia, Syracuse & Louisville.
Connecticut @ Villanova Preview
Villanova (22-2, 11-1) host the Connecticut Huskies tonight from the Wachovia Center.
‘Nova is coming off Saturday’s 92-81 victory over Providence which was also at the Nova’s South Philly home. The Wildcats sit atop the BIG EAST by a half game as Syracuse lost this weekend to Louisville. Villanova’s last claim to the conference title was in 2006 when VU was co-champions with the Huskies. Read more
Putting away Providence
Tomorrow at 2pm Villanova will take on Providence College at the Wachovia Center. Providence is 12-12 overall and 4-8 in the Big East this season, and can be all-but-certain that they won’t be dancing in March.
The Friars have lost their last four games, against Cincinnati, Syracuse, Marquette and Georgetown. Those are all talented teams this year, but the Friar’s also have an overtime loss against South Florida and out-of-conference losses to Iona, Alabama, and against brothers-in-futility, Boston College. Read more
A Hoya Preview
With the imminent “Snowpacalypse” bearing down on our Nation’s capital, a matchup between two Top 7 teams is being overshadowed, and even under threat of cancellation (but, as of now, the game is on).
Villanova carries its 20-1 (9-0) record and its #2 ranking into Washington DC to take on the #7 Hoyas. Read more
Seton Hall Preview
The #2 ranked Villanova squad will host Seton Hall as they look to extend a number of streaks.
First, the Wildcats (19-1, 8-0) look to extend their 10-game win streak and undefeated 8 and oh BIG EAST conference record on the line as the Pirates come to town.
‘Nova will also be looking to extend their 35-game Win Streak at The Pavilion in the season’s penultimate game at the on-campus arena. Read more
