The Rest of the Roster

In continuing with the weekly player evaluation segment, let's conclude by looking at the rest of the roster.

Player: Taylor King

2007-2008 Review: This former McDonald's All-American played his freshmen year at Duke before deciding to transfer to Villanova. King most likely became disgruntled with Coach K over his decline in playing time as the season progressed. He scored 20 points in his first game at Duke on November 9 versus N.C. Central. On November 25 he scored a career-high 27 points after making six 3-pointers versus Eastern Kentucky. He scored in double figures six times last year and shot a .377 3-point percentage. However, in mid-January is minutes dropped, lowering his season average for points to 5.5.

2008-2009 Preview: Because of NCAA regulations, Taylor King will have to redshirt this season after transferring. He has shown that he can shoot the ball, so he should focus this time on getting stronger in the weight room and improving his defense and rebounding. At 6'6 he has good size for the shooting guard or small forward position. It will be fun to see him and Corey Stokes on the floor together in 2009-2010 because they can stretch defenses out with their 3-point shooting.

Player: Maurice Sutton

2007-2008 Review: Maurice played his high school ball at Largo High School in Maryland. In his final season he averaged 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 blocks per game. Largo was 48-5 during his final two seasons and earned the Class 3A Maryland state championship. He chose Villanova over Indiana and Seton Hall.

2008-2009 Preview: Sutton is the lone freshman on this year's squad, and at 6'11 he is the tallest Wildcat player. I have yet to see Sutton play, so I am not entirely sure what to expect from him. From Villanova.com: "Brings an intriguing skill set ... Possesses athleticism and the ability to run the floor at 6-11 ... Excellent instincts as a shot-blocker ... Can finish around the basket ... Rebounds well ... Needs to add strength." From I Bleed Blue and White's Hoops Mania account: "Sutton, however, did not impress. He has nice size, but he rarely made a good play. He probably had 4 fouls in the first 6 minutes. Offensively, he wasn't given any chances. So I guess the jury's still out on him, but I think he's relegated to the bench for the majority of his career here." There were reports that Sutton might redshirt this year to develop his game, but I haven't heard anything final. From most reports it seems like Sutton is a Chris Charles type of player; very tall, but not very skilled. The size will help, especially with shot-blocking, but Sutton might not be ready to contribute for another season or two.


Player: Jason Colenda

2007-2008 Review: Jason got into five games last season: vs. Stony Brook, vs. Penn, vs. Syracuse, vs. West Virginia, and vs. Siena. He failed to score and never attempted a shot, but he did have one assist and one rebound.

2008-2009 Preview: Jason Colenda will continue the tradition of Tommy Grace and Ross Condon as the Villanova walk-on. He will work hard in practice and cheer the team on from the bench. If there's a blowout, the student section will chant "COL-EN-DA!" until Jay puts him in, then they will cheer for him to shoot every time he touches the ball, and if he does score, the Pavilion will go crazy.

Weekly Player Evaluation: Dante Cunningham

Player: Dante Cunningham

2007-2008 Key Stats: 30.0 minutes, 10.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks, 54.4 FG%

2007-2008 Review: Last season Dante Cunningham led the team in rebounds and blocks and was the second leading scorer, but somehow he is underrated.  He is “the rock” of the team because he is so steady and consistent.  He quietly does what he needs to do to help the team win.  Cunningham usually isn’t the go-to option on offense.  He only scored 20+ points once last season, but he always scored right around 10 points a game.  He also led the team with five double-doubles.  Despite his modest reputation, Dante was the star on several occasions last season because of his knack for making game-winning shots.  Dante had what should have been the game-winning put-back with 2.2 seconds left against NC State in the Old Spice Classic.  Of course everyone remembers Dante’s put-back off of Malcolm Grant’s miss with 5.9 seconds left to seal the epic comeback victory over LSU.  He sank the game-winning free throws against Pitt with 10 seconds left.  Finally, despite missing a free throw with 4.9 seconds left against UConn, Dante got his own offensive rebound to save the game. 

2008-2009 Preview: This year I expect more of the same from Dante “the rock” Cunningham.  He is entering his final year at Villanova and is the most experienced player on the team.  Last year Cunningham added a mid-range jumper to his repertoire, but he struggled to make it consistently.  I’m sure he has been using the offseason to perfect that shot.  The best thing about Dante is that you know what you're going to get from him every night.  He will average close to a double-double, have a high field goal percentage, and play hard on defense.  Not only is Dante the second-leading scorer and anchor on defense, he will also have the responsibility of guiding the young Wildcat forwards.  Let's hope Dante makes the most of his last year in Villanova blue and white.

Weekly Player Evaluation: Antonio Pena

Player: Antonio Pena

2007-2008 Key Stats: 6.9 points, 4.3 rebounds

2007-2008 Review: It’s hard to believe Antonio Pena is only a sophomore.  Pena redshirted the 2006-2007 season, so this will be his third year with the team.  ‘Tone had a promising first season, but like the other freshmen on the team, his play was inconsistent.  He was probably the best low post scorer on the team, and he could also knock down mid-range jumpers.  He scored in double figures twelve times.  His season high was 17 points, which he had on three occasions.  He had one double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds at Pitt), and those 10 boards were his season high.  ‘Tone is also a good passer for someone his size.  However, Pena struggled on the defensive end and was foul-prone, which keep him off the floor at times. 

2008-2009 Preview: Pena will play most of his minutes at the power forward position, but he can also play small forward or center.  This season Pena needs to get stronger on defense and stop picking up quick fouls.  He is the most skilled low post scorer on the team, so he needs to find a way to stay on the floor.  Pena is very athletic and one of the best dunkers on the team. I'd like to see Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher try to throw him some more alley-oops this year. 'Tone could improve his rebounding and shot-blocking numbers which were low.  He had a tendency to try to draw charges, but at 6'8 I would rather see him go up and try to challenge the shot. Pena is a decent 3-point shooter, but Jay Wright kept him in check last season.  Look for ‘Tone to have a little more freedom around the perimeter this year.  If he can avoid foul trouble, I think Antonio will have a spike in scoring and average about 10 points per game this year.

Weekly Player Evaluation: Corey Fisher

Player: Corey Fisher

2007-2008 Key Stats: 9.1 points, 2.7 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals

2007-2008 Review: Corey Fisher was probably the most hyped incoming freshmen last season and there were high expectations for the young point guard.  With Scottie Reynolds already on the team, and with fellow freshmen guards Corey Stokes and Malcolm Grant, many fans were anticipating a return to the three and four guard lineups that were so successful a few years ago.  However, things didn’t quite work out that way.  The young guards struggled to play together, especially on the defensive end, forcing Jay Wright to go with a bigger and more experienced lineup.  One word to describe Fisher’s first season is inconsistent.  At times, he was the best offensive player on the floor, scoring 20+ three times last year, and he even earned the nickname “Fisher Price” because of the way he toys with defenders.  However, at other times he was ineffective and struggled to get playing time.  The highlight of Fisher’s season came in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year.  He had 17 points, including a huge three-pointer as the shot clock was winding down to help seal the upset victory over Clemson.

2008-2009 Preview: Corey Fisher has all the tools you would want in a point guard.  He’s a great passer, he can shoot the three, and he can drive the lane and finish around the basket.  His weaknesses are on the defensive end, but after a year of experience he should be much improved in that area.  Another problem with Fisher is his tendency to resort to streetball plays, which often result in turnovers.  Jay Wright might feel more comfortable playing Fisher and Reynolds alongside each other this year because they both improved defensively, but I think Fisher will primarily play the backup point guard role behind Reynolds.  Fisher could excel in a sixth man role because of the instant scoring he can bring into a game.  I would like to see Fisher get more playing time alongside Reynolds this year.  They are two of the best guards in the Big East, and with their quickness they can cause some real matchup problems for opposing teams.  He should be more consistent in his scoring this season; I project him to average around 13 points and 4 assists per game.   

Weekly Player Evaluation: Reggie Redding

Player: Reggie Redding

2007-2008 Key Stats: 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals

2007-2008 Review: Last year Reggie Redding’s role on the team diminished as the season went on.  Jay Wright called him the best defender on the team, but he struggled offensively.  Early in the season Reggie was the team’s perimeter defensive specialist, and Jay Wright would call on him to guard the opposing team’s top scorer.  One example was November 18 when Villanova was trailing by eight points at halftime to Bucknell, behind 17 first half points by John Griffin.  Reggie Redding shut down Griffin, his former high school teammate, in the second half, holding the sharpshooter to five points and securing a Villanova victory.  However, Redding’s offensive deficiencies kept him off the floor, especially when Villanova’s younger guards like Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher began to improve defensively. 

2008-2009 Preview: For Reggie Redding to become a prominent member of Villanova’s core rotation again, he will have to improve his shooting.  Last season it got to the point that I cursed every time he attempted a three-pointer because 75% of the time it wasn’t going in.  Redding gained playing time his freshmen year and early last season because of his size (6’5) at the guard position.  With the emergence of Corey Stokes, also a 6’5 guard, Redding’s importance was reduced because Stokes was much a better shooter.  This season Reggie will most likely maintain a role off the bench for defensive situations.  

Weekly Player Evaluation: Dwayne Anderson

Player: Dwayne Anderson

2007-2008 Key Stats: 6.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 50.3 FG%

2007-2008 Review: At the beginning of last season Dwayne Anderson was named one of the four team captains, which at the time I thought was a curious decision considering his lack of playing time during his first two seasons at Villanova.  It remained a curious decision throughout the first half of the season, as Dwayne played limited minutes off the bench.  However, all that changed on February 9 at the Pavilion.  In an attempt to halt the team’s five game losing streak Jay Wright inserted Dwayne Anderson into the starting lineup for the first time in his career.  Anderson showed flashes of what he could do, specifically in an early season game against Hartford.  Villanova was struggling to pull away from an opponent they were expected to blow out.  Midway through the second half Dwayne Anderson entered and was a complete game-changer.  He hustled for steals, dove for loose balls, and was relentless on defense.  I thought after that game, he would be rewarded with more playing time, but he would have to wait a little longer.  When Jay Wright finally called on him to start against Seton Hall, in a game Villanova desperately needed, Dwayne delivered once again.  He had 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, a blocked shot, and to top it all off he hit the game-winning three-pointer with 13 seconds left.  Anderson remained a constant in the starting lineup for the rest of the season, and he continued to deliver every night.  Perhaps his best game of the season was on March 8 at Providence.  He had 17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.  Dwayne was the key to the team’s turnaround, which is why I named him the MVP for the second half of the season.  In the end I realized why he was named a team captain.

2008-2009 Preview: Dwayne’s great play was a surprise last year, but the difference this year is that the fans and coaches will expect it from him.  He will be under more pressure because of that, but I think he will be able to handle it.  Anderson’s strengths are not in scoring, which is ok because the team is loaded with offensive weapons.  For the team to be successful, Dwayne needs to continue doing all the unheralded things he did last year such as rebounds, steals, blocks, hustle plays, and knocking down the occasional three-pointer.  As a senior captain, he will probably be in the starting five, and based on last season’s performance, he will deserve it.  Hopefully he will use his position of leadership to pass on his hardwork and unselfish attitude to the younger players on the team.

Weekly Player Evaluation: Scottie Reynolds

Player: Scottie Reynolds

2007-2008 Key Stats: 32.5 minutes, 15.9 points, 3.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 38.3 3PT%

2007-2008 Review: No Wildcat had higher expectations last season than the reigning Big East Freshmen of the year, Scottie Reynolds.  When all was said and done, he did a fantastic job handling the pressure and fulfilling those expectations.  He scored in double digits in all but six games, highlighted by a 32 point outburst at Cincinnati, a 27 points/ 9 assists game at Temple, and a 25 points/ 8 rebounds/ 5 assists game in the NCAA Tournament versus Siena.  However, Scottie did experience a fair share of struggles during the season.  As the leading scorer and the face of the team, Reynolds took a brunt of the blame for the losses during the team’s slump in the middle of the season.  He also had to adjust to being the main focus of opposing defenses.  Jay Wright tried to start Corey Fisher at point guard and move Reynolds off the ball, and it seemed to work for a while, but Scottie was more comfortable with the ball in his hands.  Once he moved back to the point, Scottie played much better and carried the team to the NCAA Tournament.

2008-2009 Preview: Scottie is expected to be the leading scorer once again this season.  He should have a better grasp of what his role is.  He will probably spend time playing point guard and shooting guard, but I suspect he will play a majority of the time at the point (with Fisher backing him up).  I project Scottie to have a slight increase in points and assists this year, possibly 18 ppg and 4 apg. At season's end he may seriously be contemplating a jump to the NBA.

Weekly Player Evaluation: Corey Stokes

Player: Corey Stokes

2007-2008 Key Stats: 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 88.1 FT%

2007-2008 Review: As a highly touted freshmen and McDonald’s All-American, Corey Stokes had a disappointing start to the season.  Stokes was a high school superstar, but he had difficulty adjusting to the college game.  He didn’t reach double figures in scoring until midway through the season.  In February he seemed to have figured it out, and by the end of the season he joined the starting five and was one of the best players on the team.  He averaged 12 points per game over the last twelve games, and scored a season-high 20 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament versus Siena.

2008-2009 Preview: Stokes should be a starter this season, possibly at the shooting guard or small forward position.  I will expect him to pick up right where he left off at the end of last season.  He is the best three-point shooter on the team, and with NBA range, he is one player who definitely won’t have trouble adjusting to the newly extended three-point line.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he is the second leading scorer on the team behind Scottie Reynolds this season.  

Weekly Player Evaluation: Casiem Drummond

Player: Casiem Drummond

2007-2008 Key Stats: 4.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.6 blocks, 52.4 FG%

2007-2008 Review: Casiem had a solid start to the season, and I thought it was going to be a breakout year for the young big man.  He was a beast on the glass and in the paint, averaging 8.5 rebounds and 1 block per game over the first seven games.  He had a monster game against NC State in which he grabbed 17 boards.  However, he suffered a stress fracture in his foot in early December, and was never the same since.  He played significant minutes in only six of the last twenty-seven games and had fourteen D.N.P.’s.  I think the loss of Drummond was a major cause of the slump Villanova experienced midseason.  He was the starting center and the team’s only real inside presence, and it took a while for the young Wildcats to figure out how to play without him. 

2008-2009 Preview: After the long off-season Drummond should be back to 100% this year.  He will be a key player and might begin the season as the starting center.  When healthy, Casiem is a legitimate double-double threat in points and rebounds.  At 6’10, 275 lbs. Drummond is the only true center on the team.  The team learned how to play without him last season, but I think it will be a major asset to have him on the floor because of his rebounding, shot-blocking, and overall defensive presence.  

Weekly Player Evaluation: Shane Clark

Player: Shane Clark

2007-2008 Key Stats: 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 84.1 FT%

2007-2008 Review: Shane Clark probably had the most disappointing season of any Wildcat last year. He had a great start to the season scoring twenty-five points in the first game and scoring in double figures in five of the next eight contests. However, he had a drastic drop-off in production and playing time after that, failing to score in double figures for eighteen straight games. It was thought he might have been suffering from mono or some other kind of sickness, and he even sat out two games during that span. Shane rebounded somewhat towards the end of the season, finishing in double figures in four of the last seven games.

2008-2009 Preview: I have always been a Shane Clark fan, and I thought he could have been the next Curtis Sumpter because of his size, rebounding, and outside shooting. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I still think he can be a key contributor to the team. I really don’t know what to expect from Shane this season. If fully healthy and playing like he was at the beginning of last season, he may earn his starting job back. If not though, he can still be a valuable option off the bench.

Weekly Player Evaluation: Frank Tchuisi

This is the start of a new feature where I will examine the performance of each player on the team last season and try to project what to expect from them this coming season. It will continue with one post each week, leading up to the 2008-2009 season. In no particular order Frank Tchuisi will be first.

Player: Frank Tchuisi

2007-2008 Key Stats: 1.4 minutes, 0.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, 0.1 blocks

2007-2008 Review: Tchuisi saw very limited minutes last season, playing mostly during garbage time of blow-out games. He was a leader who would get in the middle of the pre-game huddle to pump up the team.

2008-2009 Preview: I don’t expect Frank to see much of an increase in playing time this year. He will continue to be a leader on the bench. In his limited time on the floor, he has shown flashes of being an athletic shot-blocker. If he can improve some other areas of his game (ball handing, basketball IQ), Villanova could use him selectively as a defensive role player off the bench.