Cats Down Hens

Villanova downed Delaware this afternoon at the Pavilion by a score of 75-65. After a back and forth first-half which ended with a Villanova surge to take a four point lead into the locker room, the Wildcats quickly established a double-figure second-half lead that would be maintained for the majority of the close of the game. 'Nova was led by Maurice Sutton's 6 blocks and 8 rebounds and four players scoring in double-figures. The Cats moved to 7-4 on the season.

Goods:

Rebounding margin +17

20 offensive rebounds

41.7% 3PFG

16 assists by virtue of improve interior passing

Improved defense - particularly in the paint

Not so goods:

The 10 made 3PFGs disguised some of the poor offensive execution

Only 60% FT shooting

20 personal fouls led to 10 FTM and 13 FTA advantages for Delaware

17 turnovers

Player Evals & Stats

Ryan Arcidiacono

30 Min, 2-9 FG, 2-7 3PFG, 1-3 FT, 1 Reb, 2 Asst, 0 TO, 3 Stl, 7 Pts

Arcidiacono is playing more effectively on defense and doing a better job of taking care of the ball. He is being less risky with his ball-handling and passing decisions but continuing to have a quick trigger finger on three-pointers. He is taking his threes from reasonable ranges but more often than not he is taking them off the dribble. He is hitting a much higher percentage when he spots up for three than when he fires off the bounce.

Darrun Hilliard

21 Min, 3-8 FG, 2-4 3PFG, 2-2 FT, 3 Reb, 4 Asst, 1 TO, 1 Stl, 0 Blk, 10 Pts

Hilliard played a nice floor game and shot the three-ball well. He passed the ball well and kept his turnovers down. However, he didn't finish his drives to the basket and was inconsistent as a help defender.

Jayvaughn Pinkston

22 Min, 6-11 FG, 2-3 3PFG, 5-7 FT, 6 Rebs, 1 Asst, 3 TO, 1 Blk, 1 Stl, 19 Pts

Pinkston provided balanced and efficient scoring in conjunction with improved defense and rebounding. He scored in transition, in the post, on dribble-drive and by stroking the three-ball. His scoring punch off the bench has made a positive difference in the Wildcats recent surge of improved play.

James Bell

22 Min, 5-7 FG, 4-6 3PFG, 0-0 FT, 1 Rebs, 2 Asst, 2 TOs, 0 Stl, 14 Pts

Bell's offense was an important contribution to the win. However, his defense and rebounding were a liability. He continues to baffle with his inability to make a successful post feed.

Mouphtaou Yarou

16 Min, 2-5 FG, 0-1 FT, 0-0 FT, 4 Rebs, 2 Asst, 2 TO, 0 Blk, 0 Stl, 4 Pts

Yarou's minutes continue to get chipped away at by the improved play of Sutton and Ochefu. He drained a positive mid-range jumper against the Blue Hen zone and contributed on the glass.

Tony Chennault

22 Min, 2-5 FG, 0-0 3PFG, 0-0 FTs, 1 Rebs, 1 Stl, 0 Asst., 1 TOs, 4 Pts

Not shy about looking for his own offense - which is a good thing if he can continue to knock-down the mid-range jumper. The offense ran fairly well when Chennault had the reigns and Arcidiacono was on the pine. Played better perimeter defense than has been his norm.

Maurice Sutton

22 Min, 1-4 FG, 0-0 FT, 8 Rebs, 5 Asst., 2 TO, 6 Blks, 1 Stl, 2 Pts

This was one of the most effective 2 point performances a Villanova player has contributed in a long time. Sutton was an absolute difference-maker on defense and on the glass. His one basket was an emphatic, scoring dunk of a quick dribble move in the paint that really got the team energized in the first-half. Earned his minutes for certain.

Daniel Ochefu

19 Min, 5-6 FG, 0-0 3PFG, 1-3 FTs, 7 Reb, 0 Asst, 3 TO, 2 Blk, 1 Stl, 11 Pts

This was the most solid all-around performance in Ochefu's young Villanova career. He finished with strong dunks, rebounded the ball effectively and contributed to the improved interior defense.

Achraf Yacoubou

23 Min, 2-7 FG, 0-3 3PFG, 0-0 FTs, 7 Rebs, 0 Asst, 1 Stl, 3 TO, 4 Pts

The three-ball has turned into a bit of fool's gold as it relates to Achraf's game of late. Early in the game, he looked to be aggressive - making quick moves off the dribble to try to create for himself and teammates. After that surge, he seemed to eager to jack three-pointers. He continues to rebound like a banshee and provide aggressive defensive effort as well.

Mislav Brzoja

Played the last two minutes and handled the ball reasonably well in the half-court offense.

Next up for the Cats is a 7:00 PM, Saturday game at Monmouth.