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Not posting a pre game report resulted in a loss
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Roscoe Harris, Jonathan Haynes, Michael Bradley, Shane Clark...who is the nextVillanova player to make his name in a Georgetown game?[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Such is the peculiar nature of this rivalry, where Villanova has won eight of the last12 since 1998 and has never lost in Verizon Center since opening the building on December 3, 1997. The games are usually down to the wire, where one team (orsometimes, even Villanova) makes a late mistake to seal the outcome.
A dangerous team when names like Curtis Sumpter, Kyle Lowry, and Mike Nardi patrolled the court, this Villanova year's team is younger and prone toshooting slumps that led to a five game losing streak just broken in a two point win over Seton Hall. Despite a 4-6 conference record that sits just a halfgame ahead of the dreaded 13th place team that will not qualify for the Big East tournament, the Wildcats are ignored at one's own peril, then or now. Theyare playing to turn around the season, at an arena that has been more than ideal.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Coaches and TV experts can say otherwise, but Scottie Reynolds is still the catalystfor Villanova this season. When Reynolds is on, Villanova can stand toe to toe with just about anyone, when he sneezes, the team proverbially catches a cold.Such was the case in last years Big East quarterfinals, where Reynolds led the Wildcats from 25 down to lose in the final minute to the Hoyas. Reynolds remainsthe team's best and most dangerous scorer, but his shooting numbers of late provide some insight into the five game losing streak that has, for now,imperiled a fourth straight NCAA bid on the Main Line. In his last three games, Reynolds is shooting 9 for 31, 7 of 22 from three point range. Villanova needsbetter shooting from Reynolds to win the close games.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Some better numbers have come from freshman guard Corey Fisher. At 6-1, Fisher is theonly other Wildcat in double figures in Big East play, with five double figure games, though not in any consecutive games. Fisher had 13 in Saturday'snarrow win over Seton Hall, and will pose a challenge to a Georgetown backcourt that has been stung by outside shooting in recent games.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Villanova elevated junior forward Dwayne Anderson into the starting lineup Saturday,where he responded with 13 points and eight rebounds against Seton Hall. Anderson has not seen as much time in his two years at Villanova and entersMonday's game as somewhat of an unknown quantity. At 6-6, he figures to be challenged by Austin Freeman and Patrick Ewing to prevent drives from theperimeter. Anderson has only five threes all year and is not a usual suspect behind the arc...but in this series, that's no guarantee.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Junior Dante Cunningham and sophomore Casiem Drummond will be active in the pivot. The6-8 Cunningham leads the team with a 56 percent shooting mark and and even 6.0 rebounds in the Big East play, which will be vital as Drummond will be makingonly his second Big East start Monday and eighth overall. Drummond, who scored a career high 17 boards against NC State earlier this year, has been bogged downin foul trouble in games this year and is averaging just 16 minutes a game.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Like Louisville, Villanova can burn opponents with good athletes, but unlikeLouisville, it's not via all-out defense. Seven of Villanova's 12 Big east opponents this year have shot over 45% from the field, four over 50%. Forits part, Villanova has not shot over 45% since January 12, much of it due to Reynolds' erratic numbers. Its rebounding has been spotty, and teams that canget inside have proven successful. The Cats also struggle on the road (2-5), Verizon Center notwithstanding.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Villanova remains an excellent free throw shooting team late in games, so teamsdon't want to make a foul shooting contest to end a game. Overall, the Wildcats are dangerous but have yet to earn the consistency that can elevate theminto the first tier of a tough Big East this year.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Here's a look at some potential matchups:[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Jonathan Wallace vs. Corey Fisher. Wallace'sshooting struggle continues unabated, but his defense is still producing returns. Look for Fisher to challenge him in penetration and outside as well.
Jessie Sapp vs. Scottie Reynolds. Louisville was able to cash in when Jerry Smith was able to get on Wallace and not Sapp forsome clutch shots in that game. Sapp's ability to shut down Reynolds could be the difference between another nail-biter late or an early start to theoutbound buses.
Austin Freeman vs. Dwayne Anderson. Freeman's defense continues to improve and will need to be attentive to Anderson, whofigures to test Freeman's speed in this one. Anderson shot six of his season 17 threes in the Seton Hall game and will be equally active Monday.
DaJuan Summers vs.Dante Cunningham . Cunningham could have a big day if Summers cannot adjust better than he did Saturday.Offensively, Summers must be more aggressive in setting up screens and driving to the basket.
Roy Hibbert vs. Casiem Drummond. Give Roy the ball. For those that missed that, give Roy the ball. InGeorgetown's two wins over Villanova, Hibbert was 8-12, in the loss, 0-0.
GU bench vs. Villanova bench. The Villanova bench has some sleepers that can make things difficult for Georgetown. Watch forShane Clark (8.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg) off the bench as well as Antonio Pena (8.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 52% FG in Big East play).[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Keys to the game:
1. Scottie Reynolds. Keeping reynolds off the ball and off the free throw line are musts.
2. Rediscovering The Three. Georgetown is shooting only 16-50 from outside the arc in its last three games.It could be the difference in thisone.
3. Turnovers. Georgetown traditionally struggles against the Villanova press and after Saturday's poor showing, expect more of the same.In its last home game with Villanova, Georgetown gave up 22 turnovers, one more than they did in the next two combined. Ball possession is a big factor in thisgame for both teams.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]For Villanova to win, it borrows a page from Louisville: it locks down the Georgetownguards, neutralizes Hibbert, and ratchets up the tempo to a game Georgetown cannot come back from. For its part, Georgetown looks to dominate inside, controlthe passing lanes and get Villanova down early, and keep Reynolds (and a player to be named later) from taking over the game late.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Of course, not every hero wears Villanova blue in this series, but it's time forsome heroes in gray to step to the forefront.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Roscoe Harris, Jonathan Haynes, Michael Bradley, Shane Clark...who is the nextVillanova player to make his name in a Georgetown game?[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Such is the peculiar nature of this rivalry, where Villanova has won eight of the last12 since 1998 and has never lost in Verizon Center since opening the building on December 3, 1997. The games are usually down to the wire, where one team (orsometimes, even Villanova) makes a late mistake to seal the outcome.
A dangerous team when names like Curtis Sumpter, Kyle Lowry, and Mike Nardi patrolled the court, this Villanova year's team is younger and prone toshooting slumps that led to a five game losing streak just broken in a two point win over Seton Hall. Despite a 4-6 conference record that sits just a halfgame ahead of the dreaded 13th place team that will not qualify for the Big East tournament, the Wildcats are ignored at one's own peril, then or now. Theyare playing to turn around the season, at an arena that has been more than ideal.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Coaches and TV experts can say otherwise, but Scottie Reynolds is still the catalystfor Villanova this season. When Reynolds is on, Villanova can stand toe to toe with just about anyone, when he sneezes, the team proverbially catches a cold.Such was the case in last years Big East quarterfinals, where Reynolds led the Wildcats from 25 down to lose in the final minute to the Hoyas. Reynolds remainsthe team's best and most dangerous scorer, but his shooting numbers of late provide some insight into the five game losing streak that has, for now,imperiled a fourth straight NCAA bid on the Main Line. In his last three games, Reynolds is shooting 9 for 31, 7 of 22 from three point range. Villanova needsbetter shooting from Reynolds to win the close games.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Some better numbers have come from freshman guard Corey Fisher. At 6-1, Fisher is theonly other Wildcat in double figures in Big East play, with five double figure games, though not in any consecutive games. Fisher had 13 in Saturday'snarrow win over Seton Hall, and will pose a challenge to a Georgetown backcourt that has been stung by outside shooting in recent games.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Villanova elevated junior forward Dwayne Anderson into the starting lineup Saturday,where he responded with 13 points and eight rebounds against Seton Hall. Anderson has not seen as much time in his two years at Villanova and entersMonday's game as somewhat of an unknown quantity. At 6-6, he figures to be challenged by Austin Freeman and Patrick Ewing to prevent drives from theperimeter. Anderson has only five threes all year and is not a usual suspect behind the arc...but in this series, that's no guarantee.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Junior Dante Cunningham and sophomore Casiem Drummond will be active in the pivot. The6-8 Cunningham leads the team with a 56 percent shooting mark and and even 6.0 rebounds in the Big East play, which will be vital as Drummond will be makingonly his second Big East start Monday and eighth overall. Drummond, who scored a career high 17 boards against NC State earlier this year, has been bogged downin foul trouble in games this year and is averaging just 16 minutes a game.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Like Louisville, Villanova can burn opponents with good athletes, but unlikeLouisville, it's not via all-out defense. Seven of Villanova's 12 Big east opponents this year have shot over 45% from the field, four over 50%. Forits part, Villanova has not shot over 45% since January 12, much of it due to Reynolds' erratic numbers. Its rebounding has been spotty, and teams that canget inside have proven successful. The Cats also struggle on the road (2-5), Verizon Center notwithstanding.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Villanova remains an excellent free throw shooting team late in games, so teamsdon't want to make a foul shooting contest to end a game. Overall, the Wildcats are dangerous but have yet to earn the consistency that can elevate theminto the first tier of a tough Big East this year.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Here's a look at some potential matchups:[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Jonathan Wallace vs. Corey Fisher. Wallace'sshooting struggle continues unabated, but his defense is still producing returns. Look for Fisher to challenge him in penetration and outside as well.
Jessie Sapp vs. Scottie Reynolds. Louisville was able to cash in when Jerry Smith was able to get on Wallace and not Sapp forsome clutch shots in that game. Sapp's ability to shut down Reynolds could be the difference between another nail-biter late or an early start to theoutbound buses.
Austin Freeman vs. Dwayne Anderson. Freeman's defense continues to improve and will need to be attentive to Anderson, whofigures to test Freeman's speed in this one. Anderson shot six of his season 17 threes in the Seton Hall game and will be equally active Monday.
DaJuan Summers vs.Dante Cunningham . Cunningham could have a big day if Summers cannot adjust better than he did Saturday.Offensively, Summers must be more aggressive in setting up screens and driving to the basket.
Roy Hibbert vs. Casiem Drummond. Give Roy the ball. For those that missed that, give Roy the ball. InGeorgetown's two wins over Villanova, Hibbert was 8-12, in the loss, 0-0.
GU bench vs. Villanova bench. The Villanova bench has some sleepers that can make things difficult for Georgetown. Watch forShane Clark (8.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg) off the bench as well as Antonio Pena (8.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 52% FG in Big East play).[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Keys to the game:
1. Scottie Reynolds. Keeping reynolds off the ball and off the free throw line are musts.
2. Rediscovering The Three. Georgetown is shooting only 16-50 from outside the arc in its last three games.It could be the difference in thisone.
3. Turnovers. Georgetown traditionally struggles against the Villanova press and after Saturday's poor showing, expect more of the same.In its last home game with Villanova, Georgetown gave up 22 turnovers, one more than they did in the next two combined. Ball possession is a big factor in thisgame for both teams.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]For Villanova to win, it borrows a page from Louisville: it locks down the Georgetownguards, neutralizes Hibbert, and ratchets up the tempo to a game Georgetown cannot come back from. For its part, Georgetown looks to dominate inside, controlthe passing lanes and get Villanova down early, and keep Reynolds (and a player to be named later) from taking over the game late.[/font]
[font=MS Sans Serif, Arial, helvetica]Of course, not every hero wears Villanova blue in this series, but it's time forsome heroes in gray to step to the forefront.[/font]
