Each week throughout the college basketball season, ESPN provides an in-depth analysis of the most recent top players and teams, key games to look forward to in the respective week, and much more. In the latest edition, Andy Katz mentions Villanova in a couple of different spots. Katz gives “shout-outs” to Miami (Malcolm Grant is noted), Seattle, and the Wildcats of Villanova. Katz says about Nova:
The Wildcats won the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic. They were tested quite a bit in three days and came through to show they can be an elite team. Those wins against Dayton and Ole Miss — maybe even the tight one versus George Mason — will look just fine in March.
Although Villanova did gut it out to post an impressive championship in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic, it was another Big East team that stood as the “team of the week.” As you may have guessed, it was Syracuse, who demolished California and North Carolina at Madison Square Garden in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Indeed, the Orange did look good in NYC, but it is too early to start crowing them Big East champions, which I have heard from some people.
The Cats get a nice break this week, with 5 full days of no games. Their next game is against an improved LaSalle team on Saturday at the Pavilion. Katz points this game out as one of his “headline destinations.” LaSalle would love nothing more than to give Villanova a blip on their current Big 5 dominance. Katz says about the matchup:
La Salle is supposed to be a sleeper team in the A-10. Villanova is off to a solid start after escaping against George Mason. If La Salle wants to be taken seriously in the Big Five this season, knocking off Nova would suffice. If the Explorers get smacked, it will be hard to take them too seriously.
I agree with Katz’s assessment that the Villanova victories in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic will be resume builders come tournament time. George Mason shoud contend for the CAA title, just like Dayton will be a threat in the A-10, and Ole Miss will be solid if they can improve their rebounding. This will probably be my last post until after Thanksgiving, so I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday.
