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LOCATION: Villanova, PA
CONFERENCE: Big East
LAST SEASON: 21-11 (.656)
CONFERENCE RECORD: 10-8 (t-4th)
STARTERS LOST/RETURNING: 2/3
NICKNAME: Wildcats
COLORS: Blue & White
HOMECOURT: The Pavilion (6,500)
COACH: First Union Center (19,010)
record at school First Union Spectrum (18,060)
career record Steve Lappas (CCNY '77)
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ASSISTANTS: 136-84 (7 years)
CAREER RECORD 192-146 (11 years)
ASSISTANTS: Steve Pinone (Villanova '87)
Joe Jones (Oswego State '87)
Peter Zaharis (New York University '87)
TEAM WINS: (last 5 years) 25-26-24-12-21
RPI (last 5 years) 12-7-10-86-43
1998-99 FINISH: Lost in NCAA first round.
ESPN.com Clubhouse
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The temptation is there for somebody to look at Villanova's 1998-99 season and repeat the tired refrain about how Steve Lappas again failed to make hay during the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats lost a first-round decision to a beatable Mississippi team, halting what had been a great run that ended too soon. It's easy to do, no doubt about it. But life isn't as black-and-white as some want it to be. We may live in a society where absolutes are cherished, particularly in the world of sports, where winners are lionized and losers excoriated, no matter what the circumstances. Gray areas? Leave those for the wimps who aren't man enough to tell it like it is. Bold declarations sell papers. They get ratings. They create interest and generate the magic elixir that fuels the whole thing: Controversy. Those, however, who wish to look at things objectively understand how unrealistic it is to live at either end of the spectrum. Take Villanova's season. At its outset, the Wildcats were expected to be ticketed for postseason oblivion the NIT, if that. They returned all their starters from an ugly club that won only 12 games the year before. Lappas spoke about the value of experience and how he hoped his team had learned how to win while they were losing. Few people bought it. The Cats were destined to be in the middle of the Big East, caught in a logjam of programs not quite there yet. Some wondered whether they would be there. What a difference a year makes. Instead of wallowing in the mire, Villanova won 21 games, including a big, late-season victory over St. John's that cemented its NCAA Tournament status. Yes, the Wildcats lost to Mississippi in a toss-up first-round game, but followers of the big picture will note that Villanova then scored a couple significant postseason coups by luring Kentucky transfer Michael Bradley, a talented 6-10 pivot, to town and securing an early commitment from Derrick Snowden, a much-needed and highly-touted point guard prospect. Before you rip Lappas for his tournament troubles and he has had them look at the grand scheme. Villanova has won 20 games in five of the last six seasons. It was Lappas who made the decision last year to insert Malik Allen in the pivot position at mid-season and use freshman Brooks Sales at power forward, a move that paid huge dividends. The recruiting picture is strong. And Villanova has even rejoined the Big Five as a full-fledged, round-robin member.
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Blue Ribbon Analysis |
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BACKCOURT C BENCH/DEPTH B
FRONTCOURT B+ INTANGIBLES B
There's little mystery about the Wildcats this year. If the guards contribute consistently and keep the mistakes to a minimum, this could be a good team, perhaps an NCAA Tournament team. There is great depth up front and a budding standout in Allen, while Lynch has the ability to become a reliable wing weapon. But it all comes back to Smith and Medley. Smith is a classic point guard, and that's great, but he needs to run the team with a steady hand and keep the turnovers to a minimum. Medley, meanwhile, must improve his outside accuracy and prove that he can stay on the floor for 20-plus minutes a game. Some might consider this a rebuilding year at Villanova, thanks to the backcourt uncertainty, but Lappas would rather include his team in the pig pile with Georgetown, Rutgers and Seton Hall for the Big East's fifth tournament berth (assuming Connecticut, Syracuse, St. John's and Miami grab the first four). That's not a bad outlook nor is it inaccurate. Remember, there are at least two ways to look at every situation. Villanova has proven that. |
That's huge, even if it is (as some think) largely a public relations move. Who cares? The Big Five teams will all play each other this season, a big deal in Philadelphia, where fans were livid when former VU coach Rollie Massimino led the fight to split up the historic confederation in the late-1980s. Yep, Villanova lost another early postseason game last year. That's for sure. In retrospect, it's one of the few setbacks the program has suffered in the past year. Not that there's any guarantee the success will continue this season. Villanova lost its starting guards, John Celestand and Howard Brown, neither of whom was a star, although Celestand was the first pick (by the Lakers) in the second round of the 1999 NBA draft. That hurts, particularly because the Wildcats aren't that deep in proven guards. Aside from senior Brian Lynch, who has played more of a swingman's role during his time at Villanova, the Cats are not blessed with a backcourt filled with proven players. Now, some might say that Celestand and Brown weren't exactly grizzled vets when they took over two years ago. That's right. Their first team, however, won only 12 games. "Our biggest question mark is guard," Lappas said. "No doubt, we have some good players, but are they ready to make the step?" Good question, coach. Bobby Smith and Jermaine Medley have solid pedigrees, but neither has done much to give fans and coaches a sense of security. The 6-2 Smith (2.5 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 52 assists, .333 FG, .308 FT) had a fair freshman season. He demonstrated some classic lead guard skills early, but saw his time dissipate as the season went on thanks to his shaky outside shot. Although scholars from the motion offense school insist that the attack doesn't need a full-time point, there is no arguing with the need for a talented quarterback in important games that become halfcourt showdowns. Smith is fortunate that he doesn't have to score all that much to be effective, something that suits his game just fine. "Bobby is a real point guard," Lappas said. "He's a little different than the guys we've had before Jonathan Haynes, Alvin Williams and John Celestand who might have looked for their shot a little more. Bobby is a real distributor." Smith's role cannot be overemphasized, because Villanova doesn't really have a legitimate point to back him up. Some might argue that Medley (6.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 42 assists, .339 3 PT), a 6-0 junior, can do it, but he is far more suited to the off-guard spot, despite his size. Anyway, Medley needs to concentrate on improving his outside shot this year. When he came to Villanova, Lappas thought the Wildcats had a great long-range weapon. Medley hasn't proven that yet. Not that the coach is giving up. "Jermaine Medley is a really good three-point shooter," Lappas said. "His numbers don't show it, but he is. He's got to step up. He has tremendous range, but his minutes have gone up and down over the last two years. He just needs more time." If Medley doesn't get it done, Lynch might just be a full-time two man, or freshman Gary Buchanan (St. Thomas More HS/St. Louis) could get the job. The 6-3 Buchanan averaged 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists, while making 43 percent of his three-point shots, as a prep senior. Buchanan can knock in the long one, but he is a versatile player capable of getting to the basket. He also rebounds well for someone his size. His arrival in the starting lineup is something of a longshot, and if Medley doesn't perform, expect to see Lynch at the two and a larger frontcourt. Lynch (10.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 78 assists, .414 3 PT) will be the featured perimeter performer this year, something that should suit the 6-6 senior just fine. "He's not afraid to have that kind of responsibility," Lappas said. "He's going to come into the year ready." Lynch's numbers could take a huge jump, now that Celestand and Brown, both of whom took more than 330 shots last year, are gone. Lynch isn't blindingly fast, but he is quick, can jump and loves to play in transition. He may make the occasional screwball play, but he has plenty of talent. Now, he has a great opportunity. "He should be able to score 14-15 points on a consistent basis," Lappas said. "He has improved so much in shooting and other areas." Mike Bosly (0.3 ppg, 0.2 rpg, six appearances), a 6-1 junior walk-on comprises the rest of the backcourt group. The forward line is in great shape, beginning with Allen (11.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 71 blocked shots, .564 FG), a 6-10 senior who is listed as a forward but who played in the middle last year with great results. Although Allen struggled with foul trouble at times last year, he stayed on the court much more than during his first two years and proved himself to be a true inside force. With the backcourt picture a bit cloudy, he will be called upon to have a huge year. That means he will have to be more assertive on offense, where he has shown the ability to step out to 10 feet and hit, and improve his rebounding numbers some. Lappas thinks Allen is up to the job, based on his nine for 11 shooting performance against Mississippi and the six points he scored in the final minute in the big victory over St. John's. "He was unbelievable at the end of last year," Lappas said. "I think he will be a star. He can do a lot." Expect Allen to be paired again with 6-10 sophomore Sales (5.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .496 FG). Those numbers aren't eye-popping, but Sales showed a versatile game that could allow him to play as many as three different positions before he leaves Villanova. All he needs now is to add 15-20 pounds to his lithe, 220-pound frame to become an impact performer. That weight should come. Three freshmen also figure up front, giving Lappas plenty of depth and options. Aaron Matthews (Notre Dame Prep/Seaford, Del.), is a 6-6, 230-pound power player who signed with Villanova before last year but couldn't qualify fully academically and took a year at prep school. He will give the Wildcats some much-needed heft up front and will be a valuable asset on defense and the glass. He averaged 21.0 points last year and could even play the three, if Lynch settles in at the off-guard spot. Ricky Wright (14.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3.2 bpg, Central HS/East Chicago, Ind.) is another powerful baseline performer who brings good size (6-7, 215) to the program. His excellent leaping ability will be an asset in the rebounding department. Andrew Sullivan, who scored 19.8 points per game at St. Augustine (N.J.) Prep and is a native of London, England, is a little different than the other two, even though he has the same physical attributes as Wright. The 6-7 Sullivan is a little more raw than the others, but he is an athletic wing player who may need a little more time to develop. Still, he could have a huge upside. The X factors will be 6-7 senior T.J. Caouette (5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg), a good soldier who is tough and willing to play hard defense and not complain about a lack of shots, and 6-6 sophomore Johnny Holley (0.4 ppg, 0.4 rpg, nine appearances), whom Lappas has brought along slowly. Holley is a great athlete and shows some flashes during practices, but he remains raw and probably won't see too much time this year.
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