Villanova and the nation’s main rebounder will make their first journey up the Major Line to renovated Glaser Area in Philadelphia to tackle Large 5 rival La Salle on Wednesday evening.
The sport is a part of the Large 5 Traditional. Each groups are within the three-team Pod 1, with the sequence concluding on the Xfinity Cell Middle with a tripleheader on Dec. 6.
Villanova has gained three video games in a row beneath new coach Kevin Willard and has 5 gamers averaging in double figures in scoring, together with James Madison switch Bryce Lindsay, who’s at 23 factors per recreation and is taking pictures 50% from 3-point vary.
“I feel we’re doing numerous good issues offensively,” Willard stated after his staff’s 87-77 win over Duquesne on Saturday. “We’re sharing the ball, however we actually battle defensively. If we are able to ever get our protection to be good with what our offense is doing, that will be good for us.”
Villanova’s Duke Brennan, a 6-foot-10 senior, leads the nation with a median 14.8 rebounds a recreation. The Wildcats are fourth within the nation in offensive rebounding, however Brennan echoed his coach’s sentiments about getting higher on protection.
“I really feel like we have now to speak higher,” Brennan stated. “I do not discuss fast sufficient, and my man cannot react fast sufficient to come back over. Now we have to speak higher.”
La Salle enters Wednesday’s contest averaging 73 factors a recreation and in addition permitting 73. The Explorers have misplaced their final two video games, together with 83-69 Saturday vs. Penn State. The Nittany Lions went on a 20-0 run within the first half and led by as many as 21 factors.
The Explorers have been with out two injured gamers who had anticipated to contribute. Level guard Jaden Johnson has but to play, and Reality Harris, who came visiting with new La Salle coach Darris Nichols from Radford, suffered a foot harm within the season opener.
Freshman Ashton Walker has needed to play level guard. He is averaged slightly below 10 factors, and had 4 turnovers in opposition to Penn State.
“A giant factor is getting some extra handlers again wholesome. Ashton Walker and Eric Acker are getting worn down and picked up full court docket each recreation,” Nichols stated. “Guys are getting used to enjoying with one another. You construct that collectively in recreation conditions. It is totally different in follow, however you attempt to simulate what it may be.”
Senior guard Jaeden Marshall leads the Explorers with a median of 15.3 factors a recreation.
La Salle hasn’t had a profitable season since 2014-15. Glaser Area reopened in 2024 on the La Salle campus and seats about 3,000. The 2 faculties are lower than 15 miles aside however have not met in basketball since 2022.
–Discipline Degree Media
