The last time Seton Hall won at Villanova, Bill Clinton was midway through his first term in the White House, ?Forrest Gump? was a box office hit and the Internet was hailed as the next big thing in the technology world.
Yes, it was that long ago: Feb. 26, 1994. The Pirates have lost 13 straight on the road at Villanova since, including a 26-point shellacking last February.
?There?s always time for change,? sophomore point guard Isaiah Whitehead said after last Saturday?s win over DePaul.
Obviously, it?s easier said than done.
The 11th-ranked Wildcats (12-2, 2-0 Big East) have won their two conference games by a combined 45 points, and their only losses have come to national championship contenders Oklahoma and Virginia. Since the formation of the new Big East two years ago, Villanova has lost just four regular-season games ? one was at Seton Hall last January ? en route to back-to-back league crowns. Jay Wright?s team went undefeated at home in the Big East last season.
?They?re really, really good,? Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said. ?Until someone knocks them off, they?re still in my opinion [the best team in the Big East].?
The Pirates (12-2, 2-0) enter the showdown riding a seven-game winning streak, led by their all-sophomore starting lineup. Whitehead has begun to thrive at point guard, a major question mark entering the season, averaging 13.3 points and 8.6 assists over his past three games while committing just nine turnovers. Angel Delgado, the Big East?s leading rebounder (10.2), has notched seven straight double-doubles. And Ismael Sanogo has emerged as a key defensive weapon and quality rebounder.
Still, breakout star Desi Rodriguez, the team?s second-leading scorer, may be becoming an issue. Rodriguez was benched for the final 25:27 against DePaul for responding to getting taken out by saying ?some things my players don?t say,? to Willard, the coach said.
It isn?t the first time Rodriguez has displayed an attitude problem, sources said. Willard wouldn?t commit to playing Rodriguez against Villanova. It is believed Rodriguez will be available Wednesday, though he will not start.
With or without Rodriguez, Seton Hall is a heavy underdog, installed as a 14.5-point underdog . But the Pirates are eager to see where they stand against the Big East?s standard of excellence.
?It?s going to be tough,? Whitehead said, ?but we?re up for the challenge.?
Yes, it was that long ago: Feb. 26, 1994. The Pirates have lost 13 straight on the road at Villanova since, including a 26-point shellacking last February.
?There?s always time for change,? sophomore point guard Isaiah Whitehead said after last Saturday?s win over DePaul.
Obviously, it?s easier said than done.
The 11th-ranked Wildcats (12-2, 2-0 Big East) have won their two conference games by a combined 45 points, and their only losses have come to national championship contenders Oklahoma and Virginia. Since the formation of the new Big East two years ago, Villanova has lost just four regular-season games ? one was at Seton Hall last January ? en route to back-to-back league crowns. Jay Wright?s team went undefeated at home in the Big East last season.
?They?re really, really good,? Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said. ?Until someone knocks them off, they?re still in my opinion [the best team in the Big East].?
The Pirates (12-2, 2-0) enter the showdown riding a seven-game winning streak, led by their all-sophomore starting lineup. Whitehead has begun to thrive at point guard, a major question mark entering the season, averaging 13.3 points and 8.6 assists over his past three games while committing just nine turnovers. Angel Delgado, the Big East?s leading rebounder (10.2), has notched seven straight double-doubles. And Ismael Sanogo has emerged as a key defensive weapon and quality rebounder.
Still, breakout star Desi Rodriguez, the team?s second-leading scorer, may be becoming an issue. Rodriguez was benched for the final 25:27 against DePaul for responding to getting taken out by saying ?some things my players don?t say,? to Willard, the coach said.
It isn?t the first time Rodriguez has displayed an attitude problem, sources said. Willard wouldn?t commit to playing Rodriguez against Villanova. It is believed Rodriguez will be available Wednesday, though he will not start.
With or without Rodriguez, Seton Hall is a heavy underdog, installed as a 14.5-point underdog . But the Pirates are eager to see where they stand against the Big East?s standard of excellence.
?It?s going to be tough,? Whitehead said, ?but we?re up for the challenge.?
