Villanova athletes takes home all kinds of awards this week

Happy Tuesday Nova Nation! I’m back from my Myrtle Beach vacation and will have plenty of takeaways from the past week later today. But first let’s join several others in acknowledging the great accomplishments of a number of Villanova athletes this past week (and longer).

Collin Gillespie may have come up short of a victory over Baylor, but he still averaged over 20 PPG through the Myrtle Beach Invitational. That performance earned him both the Big East and Big 5 Player of the Week.

For the women’s team, Maddy Siegrist came away with her second consecutive Big East Rookie of the Week. And not to be shown up by the rookie, Mary Gedaka was named the Big 5 Women’s Player of the Week.

On the Gridiron, wide receiver Changa Hodge won the CAA Co-Offensive Player of the Week with 236 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 8 catches. His teammate, quarterback Daniel Smith, was also named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award (The FCS version of the Heisman).

In addition, Field Hockey’s Lydia Sydnor was one of just 160 players nation-wide named to an All-Region team this season. And to round out the Villanova honors, Allie Olsonoski of the Volleyball team was named to the Big East’s weekly honor roll.

Basketball and Football may grab most of the headlines, but Villanova has athletes across the board that are simply some of the best in their sport. Congratulations to all of the award winners, and keep up the great work!

In other “news”, Villanova Football prepares for the playoffs, Women’s Basketball gets a big win over Georgia, and which Wildcats made the 2010’s All-Decade team? Enjoy!

Villanova Men’s Basketball

The 2010s: College basketball’s team of the decade | The Athletic
Zion Williamson and Anthony Davis lead our team of the best college basketball players from the last decade. Josh Hart and Jay Wright make the team.

The biggest winners and losers in college basketball this week | Business Insider
The Duke Blue Devils remain atop the AP Top 25 Poll, and only one new team broke into the top five of the rankings.

College basketball coaches poll reveals new top 25 rankings | 247 Sports
Villanova ranks 21st in the coaches poll.

Which Big East prospects will be selected in the 2020 NBA Draft? | Basketball Society
The Big East continues to prove to be one of the best conferences and Randy examines today which players will hear their name called in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The 2010s – Run loud, shoot deep: The all-decade DMV non-blueblood college hoops teams | The Athletic
The local college basketball scene moved from dominant big men to guards running the show in the last ten years.

Villanova's Gillespie, DePaul's Weems Take #BIGEASTmbb Weekly Honors | Big East Conference
Gillespie takes home his first weekly award of the season.

Gillespie Named BIG EAST & Big Five Player of the Week | Villanova University Athletics
Gillespie swept the BIG EAST and Big Five Player of the Week awards on Monday

Villanova vs Baylor

Villanova falls in final of Myrtle Beach Invitational, 87-78, to Baylor | Philadelphia Inquirer
The Wildcats were ahead, 57-51, with a little over 12 minutes to go. Two minutes later, things were tied.

Myrtle Beach Champs: Baylor Beats Villanova 87-78 | Our Daily Bears
Champs!

Wildcats Ousted in Myrtle Beach Finale | The Villanovan
In what was a high-powered offensive game of basketball, Villanova couldn’t keep up with Baylor’s hot hand as the Wildcats lost, 87-78, in an important top-25 game between two teams

Butler Scores 22, No. 24 Baylor Tops No. 17 Villanova, 87-78 | The New York Times
Villanova and Baylor spent about 35 minutes trading buckets — and the lead — during a high-level game that could have passed for a Sweet 16 matchup.

College Basketball Podcast: Why is it so hard to speed Virginia up and/or score on the Cavaliers? - CBSSports.com
Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander also preview the Maui Invitational and share memories of the annual event. They also discuss Villanova's loss to Baylor, and Jay Wright coaching in a hoodie.

#145: Maui Jim by Three Man Weave: College Basketball Podcast | Free Listening on SoundCloud
At the 45:05 minute mark, the guys talk about their love of Villanova's offense.

Final Minutes Flurry Carries Baylor Past Wildcats 87-78 | Villanova University Athletics
Baylor used a 49 point second half to rally past Villanova Sunday.

NBA Wildcats

How the Kyle Lowry trade forever changed the Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and NBA trades | The Athletic
The 2012 Kyle Lowry trade to Toronto didn't just alter the Raptors, it changed three franchises and the trade value of unused draft picks.

Josh Hart made calls to Lakers players, staff after derisive remarks | ESPN
Josh Hart, the former Lakers guard traded to the Pelicans in the Anthony Davis deal, said he called some former teammates and front-office staffers to clear up negative comments he made about the organization in September.

Warriors vs. Thunder: Eric Paschall remains among rookie scoring leaders | Golden State Of Mind
We gotta look for bright spots ... and Eric Paschall is one of the biggest right now.

Villanova Women’s Basketball

Georgia women’s basketball plagued by 3-pointers in loss to Villanova | redandblack.com
Georgia women’s basketball fell Villanova in its third ever meeting with the Wildcats after being plagued by 3-pointers, being unable to score them and struggling to defend them.

Women's Basketball Overcomes Georgia in Thrilling Road Win | The Villanovan
Villanova came out on top on Sunday in Athens, Ga. beating the Lady Bulldogs, 63-58, in an exciting back and forth contest. This marks the third win in a row

MADDY SIERGRIST NAMED BIG EAST ROOKIE OF THE WEEK | Villanova University Athletics
NEW YORK – Redshirt freshman forward Maddy Siegrist (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) has been named the Big East Rookie of the Week for the second straight time and senior forward

VILLANOVA EARNS BIG ROAD VICTORY AT GEORGIA | Villanova University Athletics
ATHENS, GA. – The Villanova Wildcats traveled to Athens, Georgia, on Sunday evening where they tallied an impressive 63-58 road win over the Georgia Lady Bulldogs.

Villanova Football

STATS announces FCS legacy awards finalists | FCS Football
Villanova quarterback, Daniel Smith, makes the cut.

Changa Hodge Earns CAA Honors | Villanova University Athletics
RICHMOND, Va. – Junior wide receiver Changa Hodge (East Stroudsburg, Pa.) has been named the CAA Co-Offensive Player of the week for his efforts in Saturday's 55-33

Delaware pounced by Nova, loses eighth straight to Wildcats | The Review
Delaware’s defense couldn’t stop Villanova’s potent offense, and the Wildcats came away with a dominant 55-33 victory in the Battle of the Blue. Villanova has won eight straight against the Blue Hens and 13 of the last 14 meetings.

FCS football rankings: Week 14, 2019 | FB Schedules
FCS football rankings for Week 14 of the 2019 season have been released, and top playoff seeds North Dakota State and James Madison remain as kings of the hill. Villanova concludes the regular season at #8.

Villanova vs SE Louisiana

Football Earns Playoff Selection, Travels to Southeastern Louisiana in First Round | Villanova University Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa.—One day after closing out the regular season with a sensational “Battle of the Blue” victory, the celebration continued for Villanova (9-3)

Siegrist, Fergus, Wall, Longin among locals excelling as college athletes | Poughkeepsie Journal
Former Our Lady of Lourdes basketball star Maddy Siegrist has rebound well from injury and now is starring for the Villanova women's basketball team.

Montana set to face Southeastern Louisiana or Villanova in the FCS playoffs | montanakaimin.com
The FCS College Football Playoff Selection Committee revealed that Montana is the sixth seed in the playoffs and will face the winner of a game between Southeast Louisiana and Villanova

Villanova to play Southeastern Louisiana in FCS Playoffs | Philadelphia Inquirer
Villanova didn't receive a bye, but they'll be headed south for a matchup between two high-powered offenses.

SLU notebook: Lions preparing for Villanova in surprise home FCS playoffs game | theadvocate.com
HAMMOND — The last time Frank Scelfo was the head coach in a playoff game, it was almost four decades ago and just up I-55 in Amite.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL | Lions briefly savor playoff berth, turn attention to Villanova | livingstonparishnews.com
HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana football team went through quite the range of emotions from last Thursday to Sunday.

Agony to ecstasy: Southeastern Louisiana to host FCS playoff game after losing heartbreaking finale | theadvocate.com
Southeastern Louisiana coach Frank Scelfo arranged an FCS playoff announcement watch party for his team Sunday, but with one proviso — no cameras or outsiders just in case the Lions

Villanova Athletics

Colleges: Four Villanova athletes honored | timesherald.com
It was a pretty good week for awards at Villanova.

Women's Cross Country Competes at Nationals | The Villanovan
Villanova finished its cross country season on Saturday with a 24th place finish amongst a field of 31 teams at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute,

Men's XC Takes 23rd at Nationals | The Villanovan
The NCAA Division I cross country championship took place in Terre Haute, Indiana on Saturday. It was cold, rainy and miserable, but none the less the gun went off.

Allie Olsonoski Named to BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll | Villanova University Athletics
NEW YORK - Allie Olsonoski was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the second time this year thanks to a standout weekend to close out the regular season.

Lydia Sydnor named to All-Region Second Team | Villanova University Athletics
GILBERT, Ariz. - Senior forward Lydia Sydnor was named to the Mid-Atlantic Second Team for this season's Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-Region teams.

Swim and Dive to Close out Fall Season at La Salle on Tuesday | Villanova University Athletics
VILLANOVA, Pa. - After just a few days off, Villanova's swim and dive team is ready to get back to competing. After traveling to West Virginia for the WVU Mountaineer

Volleyball Wins Five-Set Thriller, Secures Third-Place in BIG EAST | Villanova University Athletics
Villanova, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats closed out the regular season in dramatic fashion with a five-set victory over St. John's on senior day. With the win, Villanova

College Basketball

Michigan State's loss to Virginia Tech was vexing, but it seems the Hokies nailed it by hiring Mike Young | CBSSports.com
No other preseason No. 1 team this century has started as poorly through its first five games as Michigan State