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(NCAAB) Villanova vs. La Salle,
Point Spread: -17.50 | -109.00 Villanova (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -17.50 | -109.00 Villanova (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Villanova took over the No. 1 spot in the AP poll last season (February) and held it for a total of three weeks. The 29-5 Wildcats were ranked 6th heading into the NCAA Tournament but six outstanding efforts later, had won the school's second national championship. The defending national champions opened this season No. 4 in the AP poll but yesterday, found themselves as the top team in the country, once again. Villanova improved to 8-0 with a resounding 88-57 victory over Saint Joseph's on Saturday and coupled with UCLA upsetting then-No. 1 Kentucky that same day, moved from No. 2 to No. 1 this week. They will continue their quest toward a Big 5 title with a matchup against city rival La Salle (4-2) on Tuesday night at the Palestra.
La Salle: You may remember that John Giannini's team made a Sweet 16 run back in 2013, finishing 24-10. However, the following two seasons saw La Salle win just 15 and 17 games, then last season, the Explorers went only 9-22. The team started slowly this season but takes a three-game winning streak into this contest, having scored at least 83 points in each of those contests (averaging 87.0 PPG). Its most recent performance was an 83-73 victory over Bucknell on Saturday as Syracuse transfer B.J. Johnson (18.7 & 5.7) scored 22 points and Jordan Price (18.5) scored 20 points. Both are guards and the starting lineup consists oof four guards and 6-10 center Washington (8.0 & 3.2).
Villanova: Senior Josh Hart was a First-Team Preseason All-American and added to his National Player of the Year candidate resume with a triple-double against St Joe's, the first for the program since Harold Pressley accomplished the feat in January 1986 at Providence. Hart had 16 points, 11 rebounds and a career-best 10 assists, giving him 19 assists in the past two games. The 6-6 Hart (17.1-6.55-3.9) is joined in the starting lineup by the 6-7 Jenkins (14.5 & 4.5), PG Brunson (11.6 & 3.5 APG), the 6-7 Bridges (10.5 & 5.2) and the 6-9 Reynolds (6.5 & 6.5). Guard DiVincenzo (8.5) and the 6-7 Paschall (8.0 & 3.5) are the first two off the bench. Jay Wright has a versatile and athletic team which has all the makings for a second straight Final Four group.
The pick: The Big 5 is a group of Philadelphia schools which play a round-robin every season. Villanova has already topped Penn by 25 and St, Joe's by 31, extending its Big 5 winning streak to a record 16 straight wins. La Salle last defeated Villanova on Nov. 25, 2012, a 77-74 decision. The Explorers are 0-4 against Villanova at the Palestra since 1999 and don't look for a close game here, either. La Salle can score (83.8 PPG) but up against Villanova's defense (60.5 PPG to rank 22nd), points will not come so easily. On the defensive end of the court, La Salle has allowed 79.0 PPG on 48.3% shooting, which ranks 320th among Division I schools. That hardly bodes well against Villanova's ‘sharpshooters,' who are making 49.9% as a team (22nd). Villanova is an 8* play.
La Salle: You may remember that John Giannini's team made a Sweet 16 run back in 2013, finishing 24-10. However, the following two seasons saw La Salle win just 15 and 17 games, then last season, the Explorers went only 9-22. The team started slowly this season but takes a three-game winning streak into this contest, having scored at least 83 points in each of those contests (averaging 87.0 PPG). Its most recent performance was an 83-73 victory over Bucknell on Saturday as Syracuse transfer B.J. Johnson (18.7 & 5.7) scored 22 points and Jordan Price (18.5) scored 20 points. Both are guards and the starting lineup consists oof four guards and 6-10 center Washington (8.0 & 3.2).
Villanova: Senior Josh Hart was a First-Team Preseason All-American and added to his National Player of the Year candidate resume with a triple-double against St Joe's, the first for the program since Harold Pressley accomplished the feat in January 1986 at Providence. Hart had 16 points, 11 rebounds and a career-best 10 assists, giving him 19 assists in the past two games. The 6-6 Hart (17.1-6.55-3.9) is joined in the starting lineup by the 6-7 Jenkins (14.5 & 4.5), PG Brunson (11.6 & 3.5 APG), the 6-7 Bridges (10.5 & 5.2) and the 6-9 Reynolds (6.5 & 6.5). Guard DiVincenzo (8.5) and the 6-7 Paschall (8.0 & 3.5) are the first two off the bench. Jay Wright has a versatile and athletic team which has all the makings for a second straight Final Four group.
The pick: The Big 5 is a group of Philadelphia schools which play a round-robin every season. Villanova has already topped Penn by 25 and St, Joe's by 31, extending its Big 5 winning streak to a record 16 straight wins. La Salle last defeated Villanova on Nov. 25, 2012, a 77-74 decision. The Explorers are 0-4 against Villanova at the Palestra since 1999 and don't look for a close game here, either. La Salle can score (83.8 PPG) but up against Villanova's defense (60.5 PPG to rank 22nd), points will not come so easily. On the defensive end of the court, La Salle has allowed 79.0 PPG on 48.3% shooting, which ranks 320th among Division I schools. That hardly bodes well against Villanova's ‘sharpshooters,' who are making 49.9% as a team (22nd). Villanova is an 8* play.
