Two seasons ago, didn't a 'Nova team that ended up in the Sweet 16 lose by 20-some to St. Joe's at the Palestra?
That's just the way it can be.
Nevertheless, the reality is that 'Nova has now won 19 of its last 20 City Series matchups.
Perhaps the separation between any one program and the rest of the fraternity has never been greater.
Anyway, last night the Wildcats (2-0), ranked fifth in the nation, beat visiting Penn (0-2) for the seventh consecutive time, 103-65.
With 7 minutes remaining, the lead was 48. The biggest margin of victory in any Big 5 game is 41, by Villanova over La Salle in 2005. There was, of course, the imfamous 43-pointer by 'Nova over Penn in the 1971 East Regional final, but that doesn't officially count. Last night's 103 marked the most points Villanova has ever scored against Penn, and tied for third-most the 'Cats ever scored in a Big 5 game.
At the end of the first half, Villanova, which had opened with a 23-point win over Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday, was playing five guys who weren't on last season's squad. At one point, Wright was using three true freshmen, a redshirt freshman and a sophomore transfer. So it's not like he can do much to clear his bench.
The Quakers, who had lost by 15 at Penn State 3 nights earlier, just couldn't do a whole lot. And it wasn't always their fault.
At least Malcolm Washington, in his first collegiate action, scored on a late steal and layup. Yes, he's Denzel's son.
The 'Cats now head to San Juan, for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Classic, where they'll get George Mason on Thursday and either Dayton or Georgia Tech in Friday's second round.
The Quakers host Delaware on Saturday.
Did we mention that Wright never called a timeout?
"I was looking for a chance to [in the first half]," said Wright, who couldn't remember a game that he didn't call one. "They kept making great plays . . .
