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Villanova Basketball’s Justin Moore impressive in secret scrimmage with UNC

The freshman took over the Phil Booth roll of dominating against the Tar Heels.

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Happy Monday Nova Nation! Reports have been coming in about the Villanova Wildcats “secret scrimmage” against the North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill yesterday. This is the second consecutive season that the schools who met in the 2016 National Championship have met behind closed doors to warm up for the season.

The headline on the Nova side is that freshman Justin Moore went 9 of 12 from deep en route to a high score of 39 points in 54 minutes of game time (two 20 minute “halves”, with two more short sessions of 6 and 8 minutes). Villanova won the first 20 minute half, and the first short session, while UNC took the other two. This may have been only a scrimmage, but it’s an impressive feet for the freshman against top competition. Last season Saddiq Bey went off in this scrimmage, and went on to break into the starting lineup.

Two things to keep in mind though before we get too excited about a closed door scrimmage. First, Collin Gillespie did not participate in this one as he’s still recovering from surgery to repair a broken nose. That means Moore once again started at point guard, matching up with fellow freshman Cole Anthony. But the more important thing is, well, we already know Moore can score. The real question is his ability to run the offense and create for others as the primary ball handler. He’s shown signs in the Blue/White Scrimmage and the USC Exhibition that he’s developing those skills, but personally I’m curious how many assists he had over the weekend. But I’m nitpicking here, overall it’s fantastic news that a freshman is able to step up like this against elite competition.

Jermaine Samuels was the second leading scorer for the Wildcats with 19 points over the four sessions. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was again a standout for the Wildcats with another double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. Cole Swider was also impressive in Villanova’s second win, scoring 6 points in the 6 minutes session.

In other “news”, Jay Wright is Legend, Joe Cremo taken in G-League draft, and Josh Hart is the center of yet another meme. Enjoy!

Villanova Basketball

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Villanova met North Carolina Sunday in Chapel Hill in a controlled scrimmage.

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Big East Basketball is as strong as it has been since realignment with many teams poised for breakout seasons, which could lead to some unexpected results.

Big 5

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Our College Basketball Preview has all of the stories you want about players from Villanova, Temple, St. Joseph’s, La Salle, Penn and Drexel.

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A final preseason breakdown and power rankings of Big 5 basketball ahead of the tipoff of the 2019-2020 season; where does each Philly school rank?

NBA Wildcats

Warriors: Verdict coming on ex-Villanova star Omari Spellman | Mercury News
The Warriors have until Oct. 31 to decide if they want to pick up Omari Spellman's third-year option.

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Hello Princeton?

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The Golden State Warriors leaned on rookie Eric Paschall a lot in his first NBA game with Green, Looney, and Cauley-Stein hindered by injuries.

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With an important contract deadline looming, Omari Spellman may have a great opportunity to earn his keep with the Warriors.

Villanova Football

Stony Brook rallies to defeat Villanova on road in biggest comeback of season | Newsday
Trailing by 15 with 9:14 remaining in Saturday’s Colonial Athletic Association game at Villanova, the Stony Brook football team staged its biggest comeback of the season. Nick Courtney’s 22-yard field

Time clock confusion costs Villanova a win against Stony Brook | Philadelphia Inquirer
Despite blowing a three-possession lead in the second half, Villanova seemed poised for a win before confusion with a "new rule."

HIGHLIGHTS: Stony Brook vs Villanova | Flo Football
Stony Brook stunned Villanova with a fourth quarter rally, the theatrics of which were impressive — even for the Seawolves.

Wildcats Suffer 36-35 Loss to Stony Brook as Time Expires | Villanova University Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa.—A successful 22-yard field goal as time expired completed a late 15-point comeback by Stony Brook (5-3, 2-2 CAA Football) and No. 5 Villanova (6-2,

Villanova Athletics

A Goal in the 22nd Minute Lifted the Wildcats over Providence 1-0; Villanova Qualifies for the BIG EAST Tournament | Villanova University Athletics
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It was all about Villanova's (7-8, 1-5) eight seniors both before and after its 7-2 victory over Davidson.

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Villanova Adjacent

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Alabama opens its 2019-20 season against Penn on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

College Basketball

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PHOENIX (AP) — Memphis' Penny Hardaway has become one of the nation's top recruiters in two seasons as a college coach.

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Baker Dunleavy makes the list.

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Coaches figure to take advantage of the corner trey because it’s a shorter shot.

Last season's NCAA Tournament teams from power conferences who won't make it back to the Big Dance in 2020 - CBSSports.com
Marquette, Temple, and St. John's are all predicted to miss the Big Dance.