By Pat Taggart, Associate College Basketball Editor
FACTS & STATS: Site: Tom Gola Arena (4,000) -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Villanova 6-0, La Salle 2-1. Away Record: Villanova 1-0, La Salle 1-0. Neutral Record: Villanova 2-1, La Salle 1-2. Conference Record: Villanova 0-0, La Salle 0-0. Series Record: Villanova leads, 31-26.
GAME NOTES: Fresh off a come-from-behind victory over a Philadelphia rival, the 15th-ranked Villanova Wildcats will play another Big 5 game this weekend against the La Salle Explorers. Villanova won its first eight games this season before finally tasting defeat, as the team dropped a 59-56 decision to Texas on Tuesday as part of the Jimmy V Classic. The Wildcats then trailed rival Saint Joseph's on Thursday by nine points at intermission before rallying for a 59-56 triumph. 'Nova has played a fairly soft schedule thus far with the exception of Texas, but many challenges await when Big East play begins.
As for La Salle, it has been idle since a 70-64 victory over Hartford back on December 6th. That victory was the third in a row for the red hot Explorers, who are now 4-3 overall. All three setbacks have come by eight points or fewer, proof that they have remained competitive even in defeat.
Villanova owns a 31-26 lead in the all-time series with La Salle, including a 71-58 decision over the Explorers last season.
Dante Cunningham has been tremendous this season for Villanova, as he is scoring 17.5 ppg on 58.1 percent shooting from the floor while also pulling down 8.0 rpg. Scottie Reynolds checks in with 14.0 ppg and 4.9 apg, and Corey Stokes is providing 11.7 ppg. The Wildcats are generating 75.4 ppg while limiting the opposition to 57.7 ppg on 38.6 percent shooting from the field. In the hard-fought victory over Saint Joseph's last time out, Reynolds came through with 18 points and six assists, and he made some clutch free throws late in the contest that proved to be key to the win. Cunningham finished with 14 points and only four rebounds against the Hawks, who put forth a much stiffer challenge than anyone expected. Villanova only turned the ball over nine times, proof of the team's tremendous discipline.
La Salle is scoring (70.1 ppg) while surrendering an almost identical (70.0 ppg). The Explorers are paced by Rodney Green's 13.9 ppg, and he is tops with 3.1 apg and 13 steals as well. Kimmani Barrett checks in with 12.6 ppg, and Yves Mekongo Mbala adds 11.3 ppg for La Salle, which is outrebounding the enemy by 5.1 rpg. In the victory over Hartford last time out, Barrett and Green both scored 14 points. The same can be said of Ruben Guillandeaux, who netted 14 points in a reserve role. Mekongo Mbala pitched in 11 points, and Vernon Goodridge added 10 points. La Salle connected on 51.1 percent of its field goal attempts and overcame the fact that it finished with eight more turnovers than assists. The Explorers earned a 37-25 rebounding advantage and an 18-6 edge in points from the foul line.
Villanova will take care of business against another area rival tonight. Still, expect the Explorers to keep the score relatively close. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Villanova 75, La Salle 66
Date placed:
Dec 14, 2008 6:51p4 Team Teaser #131029483 Basketball - College Lines (Game) Point Spread (723) Western Michigan +23½ Sun@7:00p
Competitor724) UNLV Teased 10.0 points Basketball - College Lines (Game) Point Spread (725) Stanford +4 Sun@7:00p
Competitor726) Colorado State Teased 10.0 points Basketball - College Lines (Game) Point Spread (728) La Salle +19½ Sun@7:00p
Competitor727) Villanova Teased 10.0 points Basketball - College Lines (Game) Point Spread ADDED GAME (742) Washington -4½ Sun@8:00p
Competitor741) Portland State Teased 10.0 points
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Villinova -9?
724) UNLV Teased 10.0 points
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