The guards win it
Temple's Ryan Brooks (24) points and Juan Fernandez (21 points) were 13-for-13 from the foul line.
Never make up for that
This was the first meeting between the schools since that infamous second-round NCAA Tournament game in 2000 that the Hall won, 67-65, in overtime. Does the name Ty Shine (26 points) ring a bell?
John Chaney's 1988 team was ranked No. 1 and terrific in just about every way. I always thought his 2000 team had the best chance to win it all. Then, they played a terrible game against a team it would have beaten 19 times out of 20. Does the name Sam Dalembert ring a bell?
Reggie returns
Villanova has no shortage of talent, but the Wildcats were missing something - leadership and defense.
Reggie Redding supplied both in his first game after a 10-game suspension. Coach Jay Wright said a lot about what he thinks of his senior by starting him at the Izod Center against Fordham (2-7) in the Wildcats' 96-58 win.
Redding had 15 points and nine rebounds as 'Nova (10-1) shot 52.1 percent.
The 17 club
Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher and Antonio Pena each had 17 points for the 'Cats.
Commitment to defense
Jay Wright probably did not have his team's attention after subpar defensive efforts in wins over Maryland and Saint Joseph's. No doubt, he got their attention after the loss to Temple when the Owls shredded the 'Cats' defense in the second half of that upset.
The Wildcats have the right players for Wright's defense. Some of them just don't understand the concepts. They will get it, and when they do this team, with all its offensive firepower, is going to be hell to beat.
La Salle gets Bucknell
