There are going to be many noticeable differences between last year’s Final Four team and the 2009-2010 Villanova Wildcats. One of the main things I continue to think about is the change in leadership. Of course, there’s the captains, Scottie Reynolds and Reggie Redding, who know what it takes to win night in and night out. I have no doubt they will be good leaders, but Redding can’t play until mid-December, so who knows how that will affect his ability to lead the team? He’s already set a bad example for the younger players, with his suspension stemming from possession of marijuana charges. Scottie can lead, but he doesn’t seem like the most vocal. As a result, his leadership comes from the plays he makes, physically showing his teammates how to do certain things. Nothing wrong with that, but we can’t underestimate how important the leadership of the 4 seniors from last year’s team. 
In essence, I truly believe someone needs to step into the spotlight and contribute to guiding this team. Personally, I think this someone should be Antonio Pena. The big guy has lots of potential, which we’ve seen at times, but more consistency from Pena will be crucial. He’s been in big games, gone up against the best players in the country, but now it’s time for him to take over. There are no returning big men on this team (who have seen meaningful action), except for Antonio.
As a result, he needs to guide forwards Taylor King, Maurice Sutton, and freshman Mouphtaou Yarou. They haven’t experienced Big East basketball like Pena has, which means someone needs to teach them. The coaches can give it a shot, but it becomes much more surreal when it comes from a player who has been through it. The natural leaders are going to be Reynolds and Redding, both guards, but the team needs at least one more leader, preferably a big guy. I know the recent ‘Nova Notebook’ by Mike Sheridan focuses on Big ‘Tone playing a bigger role this year, but there’s a difference between saying it and actually doing it. If he does it, his ability and guidance of the younger players could be a key cog in Villanova’s success this year.
Do you think Pena needs to step up this year?
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joeyknucklehead
August 23, 2009
Absolutely, I think he needs to step up. However, I have my doubts after watching him for the past two years. Guard play will carry us for the first half, even without Reggie. However, the bigs need to be ready by the time Big East play arrives. Whether they will is a huge question mark for Nova going into 2009. Can Pena play smarter and develop that mental toughness to finish inside? Can he soften those hands of stone? Will King play down low, or set up camp on the perimeter? How quickly can Sutton, Mouph and Armwood learn the Nova system, adjust to the speed of the college game and the physical play in the Big East? It will be interesting to watch, and the maturation of the freshmen bigs will indeed depend a lot on the example and leadership of Pena. Let’s hope he steps up the way Dante and Dwayne did.