Brian takes his shot at the schedule!

Posted by Chris on September 14, 2009
Opinion
No Gravatar

Mark made his schedule predictions a few days ago, and now it’s time for Brian do the same. Check out his early predictions for the schedule. We’ll revisit them for each game in the season. Brian, Mark and I drew games out of a hat to comment on, and the games Brian got he commented on below. He’ll be by to chat in the comments section so don’t be afraid to yell at him for those predicted losses!

Game #1: Villanova vs. Fairleigh Dickinson

-Winner: Villanova

Game #2: Villanova vs. Penn

-Winner: Villanova

Game #3 (O’Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Classic): Villanova vs. George Mason

-Winner: Villanova

Game #4 (O’Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Classic): Villanova vs. Dayton/Georgia Tech

-Winner: Villanova

Game #5 (O’Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Classic): Villanova vs. TBD

Winner: Villanova

Game #6: Villanova vs. LaSalle

-Winner: Villanova

Game #7: Villanova vs. Drexel

-Winner: Villanova

Game #8 (BB&T Classic): Villanova vs. Maryland

-Winner: Maryland

Game #9: Villanova at St. Joseph’s

-Winner: Villanova

Game #10: Villanova at Temple

-Winner: Villanova

Game #11: Villanova at Fordham

-Winner: Villanova

Game #12: Villanova vs. Delaware

-Winner: Villanova

Non-Conference Thoughts:

All in all, a relatively soft non-conference schedule for the ‘Cats, although definitely tougher than in recent years. The Big 5 should be weak this year with the loss of Dionte Christmas (Temple) and Ahmad Nivins (St. Joseph’s). Although you never known in these Big 5 games, I think Villanova will go undefeated in the series yet again.

Two tests will come in the form of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Classic and the BB&T Classic. The first pre-season tournament, specifically the second round matchup with Dayton/Georgia Tech could be tricky. This will be a different atmosphere for the ‘Nova youngsters. Dayton always players with high energy, and Georgia Tech reloads with a big time prospect in Derrick Favors. Even though I think Villanova will win this tournament, a loss in the second round would not shock me.

The BB&T Classic pits Villanova against Maryland. It’s technically considered a ‘neutral’ game, but seeing that the game is in Washington D.C., this one is essentially a Maryland home game. I Greivis Vasquez didn’t return, I believe ‘Nova would triumph in this contest, but Vasquez makes the Terps that much better. Playing against a legit ACC opponent in a hostile arena will be very new for the inexperienced freshman class. A close game, but Maryland squeaks it out.

A loss like this, though, could be valuable learning experience for Villanova. No one ever likes to lose, but a loss can take a lot of pressure off in the end, especially for a team with a ton of hype this season. Other than that, it should be Villanova cruising for the most part. As I see it, the Wildcats head into Big East play with a stellar 11-1 record.

Game #13: Villanova at Marquette

-Winner: Villanova

Game #14: Villanova vs. DePaul

-Winner: Villanova

Game #15: Villanova vs. Marquette

-Winner: Villanova

My thoughts on this game: Beating a Big East team twice in any season is tough, but beating a Big East team twice in 7 days is extremely difficult. Marquette will be seeking revenge after a loss at home on Jan. 2nd, but they won’t have enough firepower for Villanova at the Pavilion. With the loss of studs Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, and Wesley Matthews, the Golden Eagles will find it much harder to create scoring opportunities. Furthermore, if Villanova still has their Pavilion winning streak intact at this point, the place will be that much louder. Probably a relatively close game, but the ‘Cats should move to 3-0 in the Big East with this home win over Marquette.

Game #16: Villanova at Louisville

-Winner: Louisville

Game #17: Villanova vs. Georgetown

-Winner: Villanova

Game #18: Villanova at Rutgers

-Winner: Villanova

My thoughts on this game: Although Rutgers has been miserable in recent years, playing at the RAC always presents an interesting situation. Remember the 2005 team with Foye, Lowry, Ray heading into Piscataway as heavy favorites. Quincy Douby and the rest of the Scarlet Knights played Villanova to the wire, only to lose in overtime because of Lowry’s heroics. This Rutgers team doesn’t have a Douby, but Mike Rosario may turn out to be better than Douby, as he can shoot the lights out. In the end, though, Rutgers will play hard, but I see the ‘Cats winning this matchup by about 10.

Game #19: Villanova at St. John’s

-Winner: Villanova

Game #20: Villanova vs. Notre Dame

-Winner: Villanova

Game #21: Villanova vs. Seton Hall

-Winner: Villanova

My thoughts on this game: A tricky game to say the least. If you remember last year, Jeremy Hazell and Eugene Harvey almost rallied the Pirates to a win. If it wasn’t for Scottie Reynolds, it would’ve been a major upset. Hazell and Harvey are back, so that’s certainly scary, but Seton Hall plays too inconsistent under head coach Bobby Gonzalez. In addition, the game is at the Pavilion, where Villanova rarely loses, so expect a Wildcats victory in this one.

Game #22: Villanova at Georgetown

-Winner: Georgetown

Game #23: Villanova at West Virginia

-Winner: West Virginia

Game #24: Villanova vs. Providence

-Winner: Villanova

My thoughts on this game: After what I believe will be two straight road losses, Jay will have his bunch fired up to get a much needed win at the Wachovia Center against the Friars. Providence head coach Keno Davis lost a ton of key players to graduation. Sharaud Curry and Brian McKenzie return, but other than that, the roster is sparse. A mini-losing streak for ‘Nova plus four days to prepare for a freshman-laden team in the Friars results in a blowout win for the ‘Cats.

Game #25: Villanova vs. Connecticut

-Winner: Connecticut

Game #26: Villanova at Pittsburgh

Winner: Villanova

My thoughts on this game: Playing at Pittsburgh is never easy. If you recall, they did not lose at home last year, and their last loss at home was back on Feb 24th vs. Lousville. Even so, Pittsburgh is going to have a tough time rebuilding after losing Sam Young and DeJuan Blair to the NBA and Levance Fields to graduation. Wanamaker, Dixon, and McGhee are back, but that trio doesn’t nearly come close to what they just lost. I see Villanova rebounding from the loss against UConn and beating the Panthers at the Petersen Events Center in a tightly contested affair.

Game #27: Villanova vs. USF

-Winner: Villanova

Game #28: Villanova at Syracuse

-Winner: Syracuse

Game #29: Villanova at Cincinnati

-Winner: Cincinnati

Game #30: Villanova vs. West Virginia

Winner: Villanova

My thoughts on this game: This game could have huge implications. The Big East regular season title could be on the line, and NCAA and Big East Tournament seeding will definitely be at stake. Going into the Big East Tournament on a winning note is crucial, and Jay knows that. Thus, he will have his team ready to play, with revenge on their mind after probably losing in Morgantown a month earlier. Also, the Wachovia Center gets real loud when playing top opponents, especially towards the end of the season. I expect a thrilling atmosphere along with a Villanova ‘W.’

Projected Regular Season Record: 23-7

Projected Big East Record: 12-6

Tags:

7 Comments to Brian takes his shot at the schedule!

Nova Fan '06
September 15, 2009

Although I’d like us to finish with a better record in the Big East, I think 12-6 is a pretty solid estimate. I think Brian is wrong that we’ll lose at Cincinatti though. Aside from their highly touted freshman (I forget his name) they don’t have much else, and we’ll be playing good enough D by that point in the season to at least limit his impact. That said, winning two against Marquette will certainly be tough, we may only get one of those wins.

A 23-7 record going into the conference tourney/Big Dance would put us right in the sweet spot for a strong Tourney run. We’d have something like a #3 seed and thus a favorable draw, but still be flying under the radar having suffered more losses than most pundits would have expected.

Chris
September 15, 2009

I haven’t done my predictions yet (they’ll be coming soon), but I agree with Brian’s analysis for the most part.

While I would hope for better than 23-7, the lack of a proven frontcourt worries me. Is the backcourt good enough to carry us like 2005-06?

All things to think about.

Brian
September 15, 2009

I do think this team has the potential to be an excellent team, as the talent certainly seems to be there. The one thing I cannot overlook though is the loss of leadership from this past year’s graduating class. We know Scottie can lead in terms of his play, but can he become the vocal leader on a daily basis. This remains to be seen. The Cincinnati game was definitely the one I was most unsure about. Villanova should be a better team, but Deonta Vuaghn, Larry Davis, and Yancy Gates scare me a little at Fifth Third Arena. Obviously, these are just my predictions, which are no more right or wrong than anyone elses.

Big Daddy D
September 15, 2009

The biggest unknown at this point is just how good the additional big men will be and how well the team will mesh. While some losses are inevitable as these new players find their way, I predict a better record than what Chris or Brian predicted because they are ignoring some important factors: 1) for the first time, Villanova will have more depth than their opponents which plays into one of Wright’s strengths–full-court defensive intensity all the time which wears your opponent down; 2) we will also have more offensive weapons than ever before, which helps when certain players are having an off night; 3) if the bigs perform reasonably well, we will have a better blend of size (and more options) than ever before; and 4) we are competing in a weaker conference than last year when we posted a 13-5 record. No more than 4 losses in the Big East.

Chris
September 15, 2009

Not to mention Mr. Born Ready, Lance Stephenson.

Chris
September 15, 2009

Love the optimism Big Daddy D, but as you said, it is IF the bigs perform well.

I think they will, but you never know. It took last year’s seniors 4 years to realize their talent. Now we’re expecting some younger guys to step in right away.

Brian '06
September 16, 2009

Interesting predictions. I think a lot of this depends on how well the frontcourt performs this year. We’ve got a lot of potential there, and there is speculation that Mouph will perform at a high level, but we won’t know until the team takes to the hardwood.

If we even get a strong defensive performance inside, we should be able to win a lot of games with an experienced backcourt. If we get more than that, the sky is the limit.

Leave a comment

WP_Big_City