So far this season no player on the undefeated Villanova Wildcats has eclipsed 19 points, which speaks volumes about their balance. Today though, Josh Hart and Darrun Hilliard each put up 20 on the path to an 85-62 Wildcat victory at the Pavilion. Villanova now sits at 10-0 with finals and a tough matchup against Syracuse on the horizon.
Hart and Hilliard posted identical stat lines from the field going 6-for-7 with 3 three-pointers. Villanova did not face any serious threats from Temple the entire game. With four minutes to go in the first Temple only trailed 26-19, but Villanova quickly pulled away after that.
Temple head coach Fran Dunphy was quick to complement Villanova's unselfishness. "It doesn't look like anyone cares who scores for Villanova." And balance does continue to be the key point in Villanova's offense, which has become one of the nation's best without a true go-to guy. When a player like Dylan Ennis can only have 2 points in the first half, 7 on the game, and the team still blows an opponent out it is tough not to see this team winning the Big East.
Daniel Ochefu was a force to be reckoned with down low and was getting all the space he wanted early in the game. Coach Jay Wright credit's Ochefu with helping to spur on Hart & Hilliard's performances today.
"It's very difficult to get threes when they aren't doubling your bigs. Daniel is drawing attention now, which helped Josh & Darrun today." Wright said. Ochefu finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
On the Temple side of the ball the leading scorer was Quenton DeCosey with 18 points. Obi Enechionyia started the game off hot with 8 points and 6 rebounds in the first half, but tailed off in the second half, only adding 2 more points.
Temple was lucky to only be down 13 at the half. Their starting guards Cummings, DeCosey & Dingle went 0-for-12 to start the game before finally hitting their first field goal.
Temple seemed as though they wanted to speed the tempo up, but every time they had a fast break they were not able to convert. Villanova's full court press and scrappy, hands-on defense gave the Owls serious problems.
Things will get brighter for Temple soon though, as this was their last game without their transfers Jesse Morgan and Devin Coleman being able to start. Dunphy does not have any worries about growing pains with the new pair joining the roster, siting that they've been practicing with the team the whole season thus far.
With today's win Villanova has almost assured that they will win the Big 5 title this year. The only team that can statistically catch them is Penn, but if they lose to any Big 5 team (not just Villanova on January 17) the Wildcats will claim the title for the second year in a row.
On the recent Big 5 dominance Jay Wright adds, "I think things are cyclical. We have two years here where we have older guys and the other teams are younger."
Temple now plays Delaware Thursday night in Newark. Villanova will worry about finals then begin prepping for former Big East rival Syracuse on Saturday, which will take place at 1 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Not to overlook the Orange, but guess who's after that for Villanova. NJIT on December 23. Don't sleep on the Highlanders, right Michigan?
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Temple head coach Fran Dunphy was quick to complement Villanova's unselfishness. "It doesn't look like anyone cares who scores for Villanova." And balance does continue to be the key point in Villanova's offense, which has become one of the nation's best without a true go-to guy. When a player like Dylan Ennis can only have 2 points in the first half, 7 on the game, and the team still blows an opponent out it is tough not to see this team winning the Big East.
Daniel Ochefu was a force to be reckoned with down low and was getting all the space he wanted early in the game. Coach Jay Wright credit's Ochefu with helping to spur on Hart & Hilliard's performances today.
"It's very difficult to get threes when they aren't doubling your bigs. Daniel is drawing attention now, which helped Josh & Darrun today." Wright said. Ochefu finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
On the Temple side of the ball the leading scorer was Quenton DeCosey with 18 points. Obi Enechionyia started the game off hot with 8 points and 6 rebounds in the first half, but tailed off in the second half, only adding 2 more points.
Temple was lucky to only be down 13 at the half. Their starting guards Cummings, DeCosey & Dingle went 0-for-12 to start the game before finally hitting their first field goal.
Temple seemed as though they wanted to speed the tempo up, but every time they had a fast break they were not able to convert. Villanova's full court press and scrappy, hands-on defense gave the Owls serious problems.
Things will get brighter for Temple soon though, as this was their last game without their transfers Jesse Morgan and Devin Coleman being able to start. Dunphy does not have any worries about growing pains with the new pair joining the roster, siting that they've been practicing with the team the whole season thus far.
With today's win Villanova has almost assured that they will win the Big 5 title this year. The only team that can statistically catch them is Penn, but if they lose to any Big 5 team (not just Villanova on January 17) the Wildcats will claim the title for the second year in a row.
On the recent Big 5 dominance Jay Wright adds, "I think things are cyclical. We have two years here where we have older guys and the other teams are younger."
Temple now plays Delaware Thursday night in Newark. Villanova will worry about finals then begin prepping for former Big East rival Syracuse on Saturday, which will take place at 1 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Not to overlook the Orange, but guess who's after that for Villanova. NJIT on December 23. Don't sleep on the Highlanders, right Michigan?
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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