With the year coming to a close, it’s time to reminisce about some Villanova basketball things.  First, Jonathan Tannenwald, who writes a blog called “Soft Pretzel Logic” for the Philadelphia Inquirer, compiled a list of the top ten local college basketball games of 2009.  The #1 game is obvious, but see the other Villanova games that made Tannenwald’s list.

Obviously, the players made these games so special and memorable, but some players who we thought would be a part of these games were not.  I’m referring to those that transferred out of the Villanova basketball family.  Jay Wright has seen his fair share of transfers in recent years, so let’s take a look at how these players are doing at their respective universities.   

-Bilal Benn (transferred to Niagara University in May 2007): While on the Main Line, Benn represented what Villanova basketball is all about; toughness, hard work, defense, pride.  Unfortunately, he just could never get in a rhythm on the offensive end, as he couldn’t knock down shots and turned the ball over too much.  It also didn’t help that Scottie Reynolds was on the verge of becoming a freshman phenom, so Benn was put on the back burner so to speak.  At Niagara, though, he has become a star, averaging 15.6 points and 11 rebounds per game this season for an underrated team.  Benn has missed the last couple of games after undergoing minor knee surgery, but he should return in mid-January.

-Andrew Ott (transferred to Penn State University in January 2008): It’s usually tough to find big men on a Villanova roster, but at 6′ 8″, some thought Ott had the potential to be a low post threat for the Cats.  In all honesty, he just didn’t have the body to compete in the rugged Big East.  He logged some minutes when others were in foul trouble, but other than that, he was rarely used in games.  Thus, he departed to Penn State, where he hoped to be a more integral part of a team.  He has achieved that to a certain extent, playing in all 12 Nittany Lion games this year and averaging 10 minutes, 3.3 points, and 2.2 rebounds per game.  While not all that impressive, Ott is definitely more suited to play in the Big 10 as opposed to the Big East.

-Malcolm Grant (transferred to University of Miami in April 2008): Easily the most puzzling of transfers I can remember.  Everyone could see Grant had a ton of talent and potential, but he could not find consistent minutes at Villanova.  There were constant rumors that he was in Jay Wright’s doghouse, but no one ever admitted to this.  Nonetheless, he singlehandedly brought the Cats back to win one of the most exciting games in Villanova history.  Down 21 to LSU with 8 minutes to go at the Wachovia Center, Grant was inserted to spark a lackluster team, and he did just that, willing the Wildcats to victory.  Despite these heroics, he was still overshadowed by fellow recruits Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher, which may have played a hand in his decision to transfer.  In his first season with the Hurricanes now, Grant is one of the studs for a very solid 12-1 team.  He plays nearly 24 minutes a game, while averaging 11.4 points and almost 4 assists a game. 

-Casiem Drummond (transferred to Marist University in December 2008): Probably the biggest guy to put on a Villanova uniform in recent years, there were high expectations for Drummond.  With Villanova’s usual lack of size, Drummond was seen as the force that could fill the center position void.  In his sophomore year, he averaged 13 minutes, 5 points, and 5 rebounds per game.  Unfortunately, he struggled with weight issues throughout his time on the Main Line, and transferred early in the 2008-2009 season.  Transferring from Villanova to Marist, many assumed he could dominate for the Red Foxes in the MAAC.  Drummond just became eligible to play a few weeks ago, and then was declared academically ineligible, so he will not be on the basketball court any time soon.

Jeff Goodman of FoxSports just released his Top 20 transfers for the upcoming season, and a couple of familiar names are on the list. Goodman lists Taylor King at #13 on his list, which includes 7 players who are transferring into Big East schools.

“Taylor King, 6-7, 225, F, Soph., Villanova: The former Dookie will give the Wildcats a perimeter shooter.”

One spot ahead of King is where former Wildcat Malcolm Grant resides. You’ll recall he transferred to Miami (FL) following what I thought was a solid freshman campaign. Grant saw the writing on the wall though, and left for greener pastures.

“Malcolm Grant, 6-1, 185, G, Soph., Miami: After hardly playing at Villanova, Grant will start at the point for Frank Haith and the ‘Canes.”

…There are a lot of questions surrounding King and how he’ll fit in Jay Wright’s system…nobody is denying he can scorch the nets, but he’ll be relied upon to do some of the heavy lifting in the post as well…

…As for Grant, I wish him all the best…I loved him in his short time with us…who can forget that LSU game…he’ll do well in the ACC…

According to ZagsBlog, the relatively new Big East/SEC Invitational games have been set for next season.  Here are the matchups:

• UConn vs. Kentucky – Dec. 9th at Madison Square Garden
• St. John’s vs. Georgia - Dec. 9th at Madison Square Garden
• Syracuse vs. Florida – TBA in Tampa Bay, FL
  
• DePaul vs. Mississippi State – TBA in Tampa Bay, FL
  

These games are always fun to watch, and we can all remember former Villanova player Malcom Grant’s heroics against LSU two seasons ago in the Big East/SEC Invitational.  I can’t wait to see UConn vs. Kentucky too, as two great coaches in Calhoun and Calipari square off under the bright lights of MSG.

As you all know I’ve been making an attempt to do some Q&A’s with the bloggers of our opponents over the course of this season. I’ve spent the last few days trying to find somebody from Rutgers to talk to, but I’ve come up short. Now, I don’t know what they’re up to exactly, whether it’s putting on a fresh layer of hair gel or hitting the tanning salons, but they’re officially M.I.A. It’s not summer yet, so they aren’t down the shore fist-pumping. My best guess is that they are pretending like they’re in The Sopranos at the moment.

The closest I came to a Rutgers blog was Protect R Turf, but at the moment they seem much more focused on football. After all, it’s like their 5th season of actually being competitive, so I understand the excitement. After that, who gets the most attention? Why, the women’s team of course. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I figured with up and coming stars Mike Rosario and Greg Echenique they would get at least some press. I mean, there is nothing on our game with them. Just this.

Now, I know I probably shouldn’t be talking so much junk because Rutgers embarrassed us last year, but I can’t help it. I don’t like them very much. And it’s not a “I hate you, but respect you” relationship like I have with Syracuse, Pittsburgh or UConn. I don’t like their fans on the message boards I frequent. I don’t like the inferiority complex. And I especially didn’t like how some fans thought they were actually going to do well just because they brought in Rosario and Echenique. At least the lacrosse team got some revenge already.

I ventured up to The RAC for that game, and what I witnessed was horrifying. Rutgers couldn’t even fill the place up. The student section was half full (there were more Villanova students there I swear) and Villanova played one of the worst games that I can ever remember. I mean, the reputable place where top teams go to die was a ghosttown. And still ‘Nova couldn’t even compete. It was awful.

So now the Scarlet Knights take a road trip down to the Main Line for our ‘Senior Night.’ And it’s going to be an emotional night. It’s not the last home game at The Pavilion for these guys (Providence is, but that’s over spring break for the students). But it is the last time that the majority of the seniors will get to watch their classmates on the home floor. Combine this with the embarrassing loss to West Virginia, and the long layoff that I’m certain was used to whip the team into shape, and it doesn’t look like Rutgers has much of a prayer.

In the 12 point loss last year (it was only 12 because of Malcolm Grant), guards Mike Coburn and Anthony Farmer both had 23 for Rutgers, and both players return this season. The aforementioned freshman Echennique, and especially Rosario, can be very dangerous. Another lax defensive effort like the Wildcats have been displaying lately is not going to get it done.

Being realistic, this game shouldn’t be anything to be nervous about. Rutgers has just one Big East win (over DePaul) and sports a 10-15 record overall. They are very bad, and coach Fred Hill is on a very short leash. They’re desperate, and that is exactly what makes them dangerous.

As I said before though, I’m supremely confident that Villanova will win this game. I’ll be interested to see how they look though. Will they struggle again, or will they dominate like they should. On Senior Night, I have to imagine that Dante Cunningham, Shane Clark, and a hopefully-healthier Dwayne Anderson are going to bring this one home with authority.

We’ll be in The Pavilion tomorrow night for the pregame festivities as well as the game itself. Look for a rep0rt from hopefully all three of us (if you guys remember Mark and Jamie) late tomorrow night or early Friday.