VILLANOVA Quick Facts
Location: Villanova, Pa. Enrollment: 6,240 Founded: 1842 Nickname: Wildcats Colors: Blue and White Home Courts: The Pavilion (6,500) Wells Fargo Center (20,056) Website: www.villanova.com
coaching staff
Head Coach: Jay Wright (Bucknell, 1983) Office Phone: (610) 519-4140 Associate Head Coach: Billy Lange (Rowan, 1994) Assistant Coaches: Doug West (Villanova, 1989 Jason Donnelly (Muhlenberg, 1999)
administration contacts
President: Rev. Peter Donohue, O.S.A. Director of Athletics: Vince Nicastro Athletics Phone: (610) 519-4110 Director of Media Relations: Mike Sheridan Office Phone: (610) 519-4120 Cell Phone: (610) 999-7558 E-mail: michael.sheridan@villanova.edu FAX: (610) 519-7323
2010-11 Record 21-12, 9-9 BiG East
Maalik Wayns
2011-12 scHEDuLE JANUARY
NOVEMBER
11 Monmouth 7:00 15 La Salle 7:00 18 Delaware 7:00 76 Classic 24 vs. UC-Riverside – ESPN2 4:30 25 vs. Saint Louis/Boston College ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU TBD 27 vs. TBD – ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU TBD
DECEMBER 3
6 10 13 17 22 28
Penn Jimmy V Classic vs. Missouri – ESPN at Temple – ESPN2 Boston University at Saint Joseph’s – CBS SN American at WEST VIRGINIA
TBD 7:00 5:00 8:00 8:00 7:00 7:00
1 5 8 11 14 18 21 25 28
at MARQUETTE – ESPNU USF DE PAUL SYRACUSE – ESPN2 at CINCINNATI SETON HALL – ESPNU at ST. JOHN’S – ESPNU at LOUISVILLE – ESPN MARQUETTE – ESPN/ESPN2
FEBRUARY 5 7 15 18 20 25
at PITTSBURGH – ESPN PROVIDENCE at USF – ESPN/ESPN2 NOTRE DAME – ESPNU CONNECTICUT – ESPN at GEORGETOWN – CBS
MARCH 1 3
at RUTGERS – ESPN/ESPN2 CINCINNATI – ESPN/ESPN2
1:00 8:00 12:00 7:00 12:00 7:00 1:00 7:00 12:00 2:00 8:00 7:00 9:00 7:00 2:00 9:00 2:00
WILDCATS Preview the Big Picture:
Yes, the Wildcats turned in another 20-win season last year and made a seventh straight NCAA appearance, but their season ended on a six-game losing streak. If a team can feel like it has something to prove after a 21-12 year, Villanova may be that team. There are no seniors on this year’s roster and coach Jay Wright will lean on a group of four juniors to help soften the loss of seniors Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes and Antonio Pena – all 1,000-point scorers. In 2007-08, the Wildcats also had no seniors and that season ended with 22 victories and advancement to the NCAA Sweet 16 round.
88—2011-12 BIG EAST Media Guide
Who’s Back:
Six-two Maalik Wayns is one of the four juniors who figure to form the nucleus of the 2011-12 squad. The lightning-quick Wayns is the team’s top returning scorer with a 13.8 average. He also averaged 4.5 assists. Mouphtaou Yarou is the other returning starter. The center averaged 8.4 points and tied for the team lead in rebounding with a 7.1 mark. Six-six swingman Dominic Cheek played 19.4 minutes per game as a top reserve. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 boards. Center Maurice Sutton played 10.6 minutes per game and averaged 2.4 points and 2.3 boards. Sophomore guard James Bell may be slotted for a big increase in playing time. He averaged only 2.4 points after being slowed by stress fractures in both legs in the preseason. This summer, he played on the USA Basketball U19 Team that competed in the World Championships. JayVaughn Pinkston is back, though he did not play last season because of a violation of the university’s student
code. The 6-7 forward came to Villanova as a McDonald’s All-American and figures to make a strong bid for a starting position.
Who’s Missing:
Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes were the club’s top two scorers with 15.6 and 14.9 averages, respectively. Fisher also was tops in assists with a 4.8 average. Stokes was a prime 3-point shooting threat and made 89.4 percent of his free throws. Antonio Pena averaged 9.8 points and 7.1 rebounds as an anchor in the frontcourt. Forward Isaiah Armwood was an athletic forward who averaged 2.5 points and 3.6 rebounds while playing 17 minutes per game. He transferred.
storylines:
The 2011-12 Villanova squad may be a little less productive offensively, but a little stronger on the defensive end than recent VU teams. Despite the loss of three starters, the Wildcats are still a talented group with a good nucleus of players who have been through the BIG EAST wars. Wayns may be ready to become an elite player in the league. Freshmen Tyrone Johnson and Achraf Yacoubou will try to earn some immediate time at guard. Freshman Darrun Hilliard may contend with Cheek in the backcourt and on the wing. The fourth newcomer is 6-9 Markus Kennedy who likely will back up Yarou and Armwood. Some immediate contributions from Pinkston would be welcomed.