Following its one point loss to Maryland on Nov. 24, Villanova men’s basketball has looked like a new team. For the first time this season, the Cats have established a winning streak and, as of Dec 11th, that momentum continues to shift in the right direction.
On Wednesday night at the Finneran Pavilion, Villanova defeated Fairleigh Dickinson (4-8), 86-72, to improve their record to 7-4.
Villanova graduate forward Eric Dixon led all scorers with 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting.
Although the game was against lower-major program FDU, the mentality of Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune and his players did not change.
“We always talk about every game being a Super Bowl for us,” Neptune said. “This game was no different. We work all year to get what we want so every game we go into we want to play the best we can”
When asked about how he is feeling after leading his team to a 7-4 non-conference record, Neptune was quick to mention what he has seen on offense and defense.
“Right now we’re in a decent spot but we can continue to improve defensively ” Neptune said. “I thought we had a lot of open shots that we didn’t make which will happen but for us to miss those and still get 86 points… I’m happy with where we are offensively”
The Wildcats opened the game with an immediate layup by senior guard Wooga Poplar.
Poplar finished the game with 19 points going 7-13 from shooting. Poplar has made significant improvement over the past few games and credits those around him for pushing him.
“My teammates have been telling me to keep going,” Poplar said. “I’m a shooter and it wasn’t falling [earlier in the season] but my teammates have given that confidence”
We know [Poplar’s] gonna make shots” Neptune said. “I think that for us, him playing at the top of our press and being really good defensively has gotten us better on defense. Make shots, miss shots, that will happen throughout the season”
Graduate guard Jhamir Brickus scored five early points, followed by four early points from Dixon.
Brickus finished the game with 10 points and 10 assists.
“Brickus is a guy that could have easily had 15 assists,” Neptune said. “He’s a guy that’s always making the right read and is so unselfish. At times as coach your begging [Brickus] to shoot more.”
Senior guard Jordan Longino, who has had a difficult start to the season, picked up two early fouls and was taken out after just five minutes of play. Late in the second half Longino picked up a flagrant one foul. He finished the game was just six points, going 2-6 from field goal and 0-3 from beyond the arc.
Despite the Wildcats’ shift in momentum, FDU stayed in the game and was tied 13-13 with the Wildcats at the first media timeout.
On offense the Wildcats were a threat, but defensively, they struggled which kept FDU in the game.
The run from FDU continued after the timeout and the Knights took control with an 18-15 lead.
WIth seven minutes left in the first half the game was still close with the Wildcats having regained the lead, but leading by just one.
The one point lead quickly turned into a seven point lead courtesy of Poplar who led all scorers at the break with 12.
At halftime the Wildcats still lead by single digits 45-36.
In the second half the Wildcats started off sloppy on defense but remained strong on offense.
The offensive performance allowed the Wildcats to jump to a 15-point lead.
Dixon, who has been on a tear for Villanova this season, had 25 points with 13 minutes left in the game.
Dixon’s dominance in the paint and from beyond the arc propelled the Wildcats to taking control of the game. At the 10 minute mark the Wildcats were leading by 18 and maintained a lead of 10 points or more for the remainder of the game.
The win against FDU marks the final game of non-conference play.
On Dec. 17, the Wildcats begin Big East play with a prime-time matchup with Seton Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm at the Finneran Pavilion.
