February 13, 2030
@#2 Villanova 74, Rutgers 71
We hold off a spirited comeback attempt by the Scarlet Knights and end our mini-losing streak.
Avery Sullivan, back to full strength, scores 22 points, grabs 14 rebounds, and blocks 3 shots.
Corey Hicks (14),
Lowell Welter (13), and
Tony Ezell (10) join the junior center in double figures. Welter has 7 rebounds, and
Blake Norton 6 assists.
We shoot well from long range: 9-for-18 from three, with Hicks sinking 4 of 7.
Record: 21-2 (9-2).
Meanwhile, at Lafayette: The arrival of Duquesne in the Patriot League has given the Leopards a worthy foe. The Dukes (8-1) lead the conference by a single game over Lafayette (7-2), but it's the #12 Leopards who are nationally ranked.
February 16, 2030
@#2 Villanova 98, South Florida 42
The Wildcats roar to a 60-27 halftime lead and coast to a very comfortable victory, featuring a 32-point master class from senior
Corey Hicks.
Corey isn't the only star performer.
Avery Sullivan posts a 15/15 double-double and blocks 3 shots.
Justice Stafford comes off the bench to sink 4-of-5 threes and score 16 points. Fellow reserve
Tony Ezell has 12 points and 6 boards, and
Lowell Welter has 9-and-8.
Record: 22-2 (10-2).
February 20, 2030
#2 Villanova 68, @#17 Pittsburgh 64
Outstanding play from our backcourt pair and a typically solid performance from
Avery Sullivan is enough to earn us a big road win over
Blaine Boyd's Panthers.
Corey Hicks goes 4-for-6 from long range and scores 19. Blake Norton scores 13 and hands out 8 assists. Sullivan scores 15 points, blocks 6 shots, and claims 6 rebounds, outplaying Pitt sophomore
Orval Juan, a former #2 recruit.
Lowell Welter made only 2 shots, but pulls in 14 rebounds.
Pitt's
Lamar Gibson scores 12 points and hands out 10 assists.
Record: 23-2 (11-2).
February 23, 2030
#2 Villanova 89, @Notre Dame 72
The biggest difference between us and the Fighting Irish today is our ability to hit three-pointers. We make 31 field goals to their 28. Both teams make 12 free throws. However, we attempt 30 threes and make 15, while they attempt 22 and make only 4.
Much of that difference is explained by the fact we have
Corey Hicks and Notre Dame doesn't. Hicks goes 6-for-10 from distance and scores 26 points.
Asher Wise and
Lowell Welter contribute 16 points each, sinking three triples each.
Tony Ezell and
Justice Stafford finish with 10 points apiece, and
Avery Sullivan pulls in 12 boards while leading us with 6 assists.
Meanwhile, West Virginia hosts Georgetown, and beats them 67-53. We and the Hoyas are a game behind the Mountaineers in the Big East standings.
Record: 24-2 (12-2).
Code:
Top 25
# Team FPV Record Points Prv Conference
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Villanova (45) 24-2 1773 2 Big East Conference
2. Georgetown (27) 23-2 1752 1 Big East Conference
3. Kansas 26-2 1618 4 Big 12 Conference
4. Boston College 23-2 1583 3 Atlantic Coast Conference
5. West Virginia 24-2 1554 5 Big East Conference
6. California 24-3 1427 7 Pacific-10 Conference
7. Miami 21-5 1378 6 Atlantic Coast Conference
8. Stanford 22-6 1299 8 Pacific-10 Conference
9. New Mexico 20-6 1205 10 Mountain West Conference
10. North Carolina 19-6 1126 11 Atlantic Coast Conference
11. Utah 20-6 1049 9 Mountain West Conference
12. UNLV 22-7 1001 15 Mountain West Conference
13. Lafayette 21-6 921 16 Patriot League
14. Florida 20-7 754 18 Southeastern Conference
15. Kentucky 19-8 685 12 Southeastern Conference
16. Providence 19-6 640 21 Big East Conference
17. Valparaiso 23-5 587 14 Horizon League
18. Oregon 19-7 579 23 Pacific-10 Conference
19. Alabama-Birmingham 20-5 575 13 Conference USA
20. Texas Christian 20-8 519 19 Mountain West Conference
21. Pittsburgh 16-9 516 17 Big East Conference
22. Illinois 18-8 228 NR Big Ten Conference
23. Missouri 18-8 211 NR Big 12 Conference
24. Louisville 17-8 195 20 Big East Conference
25. St. Bonaventure 20-6 81 NR Atlantic 10 Conference
Others Receiving Votes:
Clemson 18-8 65 Atlantic Coast Conference
Nebraska 19-7 29 Big 12 Conference
Washington 17-9 29 Pacific-10 Conference
Georgia 19-8 13 Southeastern Conference
Pepperdine 20-7 4 West Coast Conference
South Florida 18-8 3 Big East Conference
Vanderbilt 18-10 1 Southeastern Conference
The poll voters like us just a bit better than Georgetown.
February 27, 2030
#1 Villanova 81, @Syracuse 72
This game doesn't feel like a nine-point game; it always seems like a much tougher contest.
The Orange field an extremely...unorthodox lineup. Their center, 7'0" senior
Ronald Southard, is a walk-on. Their starting "small" forward, senior
Bernard Fortin, is 6'10" and weighs 257 pounds. Southard gets hurt after playing 2 minutes, and Fortin moves into the post.
No matter who plays the five for the Orange, he can't handle
Avery Sullivan (20p/13r).
Lowell Welter adds 17 points,
Justice Stafford 12, and
Corey Hicks 11.
Blake Norton has 8 points and 4 steals.
Record: 25-2 (13-2).