Jeff Borzello, Villanova News

SEASON OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR VILLANOVA BASKETBALL

Big East coaches tab Jay Wright’s Wildcats as the conference’s team to beat in 2009-10

by JEFF BORZELLO

It’s not often a fourth-place team loses three key frontcourt players and is projected to win one of the best conferences in the country. Despite that, though, it is exactly the case with Villanova, which is coming off of a Final Four appearance.

The Wildcats were picked to win the conference by the 16 head coaches in the Big East, and are also predicted by various media outlets to win the conference crown.

“It’s a great honor,” junior guard Corey Fisher said. “There’s a lot of great teams, but we still have to go out and prove it. Anyone can be number one in the league.”

“It’s a great accomplishment,” junior forward Antonio Pena said. “I never thought that I would be on a team picked number one, but it’s a good feeling.”

Despite the high expectations and the momentum they have coming off of a Final Four season, the Wildcats are not resting on their laurels.

Pena knows that they being picked to win the Big East right now does not mean anything in terms of how the season will turn out.

“Everyone has their own opinion,” Pena said. “But, if we play good enough, it could lead to number one.”

However, the rival coaches from around the league clearly think that the Wildcats are the team to beat.

“Villanova’s going to be really hard for anyone to beat,” said West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins, whose Mountaineers were picked to finish second in the conference.

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim echoed Huggins’ statement, pointing to the veteran leadership and returning players that the Wildcats have.

“Villanova has the most experience in the league,” he said, “and [that’s why] they’re picked first.”

The Wildcats are loaded on the perimeter with perhaps the deepest backcourt group in the country, led by returning starters Scottie Reynolds and Fisher. Throw in shooter Corey Stokes and defensive stopper Reggie Redding, and it has the makings of an outstanding corps. Stud freshmen Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns are going to be coming off the bench, despite the fact they would both start immediately for most Division-I teams – that’s how deep ‘Nova is on the perimeter.

Pena doesn’t think that playing time and chemistry will be problems.

“[The freshmen] knew what was going to happen,” he said. “All of them came in willing to learn.”

With the loss of Dante Cunningham, Shane Clark and Dwayne Anderson up front, though, several players will have to boost their production in the frontcourt.

“We’re all going to have to step up our games eventually,” said Pena, who singled out freshman Mouphtaou Yarou as a player who has stood out in the early practices.

Even though there are some questions heading into the season, the Wildcats are looking forward to living up to the expectations – and are excited about the possibilities.

“We have a lot of talent,” Pena said. “Once it catches up to what we’re trying to do on defense, we’ll be real good.”

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