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#6 Villanova
Wildcats
Big East
2004-05: 24-8,
11-5, 4th
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
Everybody of
importance returns to
Villanova, which will put the Wildcats very high on
everybody’s list of preseason favorites. When Kyle Lowry is
coming off the bench, you know you have a talented group. It
didn’t take long for the injury bug to bite. Curtis Sumpter
injured his left knee again and is likely out for the season,
barring a quicker than expected recovery or a decision to use up
his eligibility for a few important games in March.
Who’s Out: Tom
Grace played in 11 games averaging 0.3 points per game. Walk-on
Michael Claxton, who didn’t see any game action last year, will
move a seat or two down the bench and become a student
assistant. Shoulder injuries have ended his career early.
Who’s In: The
newcomers will have a difficult time finding any minutes, but
there is some talent here. Dante Cunningham, a 6-9, 220 pound
power forward, has the best shot of seeing action as a freshman.
He’s a solid post player and, if injuries keep returning
forward Jason Fraser on the sidelines, Cunningham will have a
shot at replacing some of those minutes. Fellow power forward
Frank Tchuisi needs some time to develop his game. The Cameroon
native has the luxury of learning from some of the best. Dwayne
Anderson might be the most talented of the bunch. The 6-6 small
forward has a nice stroke from outside and will do what he needs
to do to be effective. Bilal Benn, a 6-5 shooting guard, spent
a year at the famous Hargrave Military Academy. He’s a tough
player and a hard working slasher. Benn will get his time next
year. Shane Clark is expected to join the squad and be eligible
to play after the fall semester.
Who to Watch:
Allan Ray, Randy Foye and Curtis Sumpter all averaged over 15
points per game last year. This year the senior trio will once
again lead Villanova deep into the NCAA Tournament. Ray and
Foye are the biggest long ball threats on the team. Even
Sumpter can hit the three-pointer when he isn’t busy in the
paint leading the team with 7.2 rebounds per contest.
Projected
Conference Rank: There is some talent atop the Big East and
the Wildcats can compete with any of them. The talent goes well
beyond the starting five with Kyle Lowry, Chris Charles and, if
healthy, Jason Fraser coming off the bench. Villanova will
shoot for the top spot, but a 2nd place finish in the
Big East could still be good enough for a one seed come tourney
time. Coach Jay Wright’s squad can’t get much more dangerous
looking than this.
Projected
Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Mike Nardi, Junior,
Guard, 8.2 points per game
Allan Ray, Senior,
Guard, 16.2 points per game
Randy Foye, Senior,
Guard, 15.5 points per game
Curtis Sumpter,
Senior, Forward, 15.3 points per game
Will Sheridan, Junior,
Forward, 5.1 points per game
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