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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
A Recap of Sunday's Closed Scrimmage at North Carolina | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova met North Carolina Sunday in Chapel Hill in a controlled scrimmage.
Anthony Leads Tar Heels In Scrimmage Vs. Villanova | University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina and Villanova University men's basketball teams scrimmaged for more than 50 minutes on Sunday at the Dean E. Smith Center.
The top 20 wings in college basketball | The Athletic
It's difficult to define what a wing is —and even tougher to identify the best in the country
College basketball coaches poll unveils preseason top 25 | 247 Sports
The coaches just revealed where they stand on the official preseason rankings.
Jay Wright turning into legend in 19th season at Villanova | AP News
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — The idea that Jay Wright could potentially replace Gregg Popovich momentarily stumped the Villanova coach as he considered potential job openings. "Wait, are you...
College Basketball Preseason Top 25: The X-Factor for every ranked team | NBC Sports
These are the keys to the college basketball season.
Big East Basketball: 3 bold predictions for the 2019-20 season | Busting Brackets
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
Mike Jensen’s picks for local college basketball players to watch | Philadelphia Inquirer
Our College Basketball Preview has all of the stories you want about players from Villanova, Temple, St. Joseph’s, La Salle, Penn and Drexel.
Katie Jekot is latest Jekot making name for herself in Big 5 | College basketball preview
“People from this area still think I’m from here,’’ said Katie Jekot, a redshirt sophomore at St. Joseph’s.
Big 5 basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2019-20 season | Busting Brackets
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.
Long Island drafts three guards ... and adds to its Princeton flavor | NetsDaily
Hello Princeton?
With Devin Cannady, Princeton’s star shooting guard, already on their roster, the Long Island Nets drafted his teammate Myles Stephens on Saturday, one of three guards the team...
Golden State Warriors: Eric Paschall plays big minutes in NBA debut | Blue Man Hoop
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.
Pelicans news: Josh Hart explains meme-worthy reaction to James Harden bouncing the ball off his face
New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart gave us the laugh of the evening following his reaction to what Houston Rockets superstar...
Stephen Curry believes Omari Spellman can be an answer for Warriors | Warriors Wire
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
Providence, R.I.- The Villanova Wildcats 8-6-3 overall and 4-3-1 in BIG EAST picked up a win on Sunday afternoon by a final of 1-0 at Providence.
Villanova Earns 7-2 Win Over Davidson on Senior Day | Villanova University Athletics
It was all about Villanova's (7-8, 1-5) eight seniors both before and after its 7-2 victory over Davidson.
Rowing Has Successful Day at HOSR | Villanova University Athletics
Philadelphia - Villanova rowing enjoyed a successful day on the river at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta in Philadelphia yesterday. The day gave nearly the entire
Wildcats Win in Straight Sets at Xavier | Villanova University Athletics
Cincinnati – Villanova picked up its second road win in as many days with a straight-sets victory over Xavier. Tonight's win gave the Wildcats back-to-back road
Villanova Adjacent
Nate Oats on Jahvon Quinerly: 'We're planning to win the appeal' | BamaOnLine
Alabama opens its 2019-20 season against Penn on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
College Basketball
Top-rated recruiting classes not always key to hoops title | madison.com
PHOENIX (AP) — Memphis' Penny Hardaway has become one of the nation's top recruiters in two seasons as a college coach.
Jeff Goodman's College Basketball Coaches on the Rise | Stadium
Baker Dunleavy makes the list.
The 3-point line is moving, but will that be good for the game? | The Athletic
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.