Villanova season preview

by Jason Weisbecker

Thursday November 12, 2009 

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                   Villanova Wild Cats

 Coming off last year’s Final Four Appearance, Jay Wright’s squad is not only the favorites to win the Big 5 and the Big East, but also an early favorite to make it back to the Final Four. The Wildcats are ranked #5 (AP) and #6 (USA Today) in the latest Pre-Season polls. The loss of 1st team All Philly Big Five Dante Cunningham (16.1 ppg. and 7.5 rpg,) Dwayne Anderson and Shane Clark to graduation will definitely be hard for the Wildcats to overcome. The Cats will also be without forward Reggie Redding for the first 10 games until he becomes a “Student in good Standing” according to University policy. 

 2008-2009 Recap:  The Wild Cats went on an improbable run through the NCAA Tournament all the way to the Final Four losing to eventual National Champion North Carolina. They finished the season with a record of 30-8 overall and 13-5 in the Big East.

 Backcourt: This is by far the strongest part of the team. Led by senior captain Scottie Reynolds and juniors Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes, the Wildcats return one of the best back courts in the country. Reynolds, who put his name in the NBA hat, but eventually decided to return for his senior year, was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2009 East Regional, Honorable Mention All Big East and 1st team All Philly Big Five. He is a favorite for not only Big East Player of the Year, but National Player of the year as well. Fisher is back after being named Big East 6th man of the year last season. Stokes is a model of consistency at the other guard spot.

 Frontcourt: If there is a weak point on this year’s team or better yet, a question mark, it would be the front court. However, coach Wright expects big things out of the combination of red shirts, transfers and a few freshman. Red shirt freshman Marice Sutton is expected to jump right in at the center position. Sutton is a 6’11 natural shot blocker, who can play with his back to the basket. Perhaps the biggest addition for the Wildcats is Duke transfer Taylor King. King is a 6’6 forward who averaged 5.5ppg in 34 games with Duke. King has the ability to be a prolific scorer as he was in his high school days as a McDonalds All American in 2007, averaging 26.6 points per game.

 Recruits: The Cats have one of nation’s top recruiting classes. According to Scout.com it is ranked #2 and ESPN has the class ranked #3. Jay Wright brought in two McDonalds All Americans in Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns. Despite their great depth at the guard position, these youngsters are expected to play a significant role this season. Coach Wright also recruited two teammates from Montrose Christian in Maryland, Isaiah Armwood and Mouphtaou Yarou. Yarou is expected to start in the front court, while Armwood will also see minutes.

 Biggest Loss(es):The dominating play of Dante Cunningham will be missed.

 Key Player(s): Scottie Reynolds is by far the key to their success.

 Pleasant Surprise(s): Taylor King will be the biggest surprise of not only the team, but the entire Big East. I expect a great year from King.

 Freshman of the Year: Well, if you count red shirt freshman, then Marice Sutton will run away with this. However, as far as true freshman go, I will say Mouphtaou Yarou.

 Prediction:

Big 5: 1st

Big East: 1st

Bonus: 2nd straight Final Four appearance

Filed Under Big 5

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