Villanova

OK, SO HOW many bracketologists figured Villanova would be in the NCAA mix when it was picked to finish 12th in a 15-team Big East? How about after the Wildcats lost four of five in late November/early December, which included an 18-pointer to Columbia on the Main Line? Or maybe when they started 2-3 in the conference. Or even when they got beat by Providence - for the second time. And don't forget that inexplicable late meltdown at Seton Hall, whose other conference wins were against just-as-dreadful South Florida and DePaul (by one)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville finished the game by scoring eight unanswered points en route to a 53-50 win over Villanova in a Big East Conference contest at Freedom Hall last night. Kyle Dougherty led a Wildcats (11-8 overall, 0-6 Big East) with 12 points. Maria Getty (eight rebounds) and Laura Sweeney added 10 apiece for 'Nova, which led 29-24 at the half. Sweeney, who came off the bench, scored a layup with 1:42 to go in the game that gave Villanova a 50-45 lead. The Wildcats wouldn't score again.

After two seasons at the King of Prussia Mall, the Freedoms are moving their seven home World TeamTennis matches to the Pavilion at Villanova. The Freedoms will be the only team in the 10-team league to play indoors. "Villanova, a longtime home to pro tennis in the Philadelphia area, is a terrific site for the Freedoms," team owner Billie Jean King said. "The Pavilion enables us to increase our seating capacity and provide indoor, air-conditioned comfort for our fans, while still maintaining the intimate, close-to-the-action atmosphere of World TeamTennis.

Villanova maintained its position as the No. 2-ranked team in the Football Championship Subdivision coaches poll. Villanova (3-0) received 627 points and trails top-ranked Richmond, which received 25 first-place votes and had 673 points. The Wildcats host Northeastern on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Penn, with seven points, is among other teams receiving votes. Owl honored Temple placekicker Brandon McManus earned Mid-American Conference special teams Player of the Week honors for the East Division.

Dan Fidler, Villanova's top recruiter, wanted Ohio. Coach Andy Talley told him to go to California, instead. Because of that, the Wildcats struck gold. This morning, Villanova is expected to sign six prized recruits from the Golden State, including Orange County's all-time leading pass catcher, Brian Finneran, and his twin brother, Brad. In all, Villanova expects to sign 26 recruits today, which is national letter-of-intent day. "Brian was the best receiver in California this year; the kid was all- everything," said Jim Hartigan, coach of Santa Margarita High in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Everything is happening in threes for the Villanova women's basketball team. The Wildcats, who live and die with the three-point shot, are hitting them with ease to stay among the leaders in the crowded Big East race. Well, actually, 'Nova remains in the logjam of teams fighting for second behind top-ranked and unbeaten Connecticut. Last night, junior Katie Davis became trey-happy and Villanova overwhelmed Miami, 80-52, at the Pavilion. Davis reached a career high in three-pointers made after she shot 7 for 11 from beyond the arc. Going 9 for 13 from the field, she finished with 27 points, her career high.

Villanova got great news over the weekend and awaits more news this week or next. After re-taking the Scholastic Assessment Test, Aaron Matthews, a rugged 6-6 forward from Seaford, Del., has qualified and will be able to attend school on scholarship in the second semester. Villanova's exams end Dec. 22 and, technically, Matthews would be able to play that night against Rider at the Pavilion. In reality, Matthews, who is not in school and will not be able to practice with the team between now and Dec. 22, won't be ready then.

Villanova senior Sheri Walker helped the Wildcats' ailing offense by scoring eight of her 10 points in the second half yesterday, and Villanova defeated Syracuse, 60-50, in a Big East women's basketball game at duPont Pavilion. "It's no secret that our offense has been inconsistent," Villanova coach Harry Perretta said of the Wildcats' 38.1 percent shooting percentage for the season and mediocre 62 percent on free throws. "So when you want to get better, you need someone like Sheri to shoot the ball.

Former Wake Forest basketball player Tony Chennault is scheduled to visit Villanova on Thursday. The 6-foot-2 point guard is strongly considering transferring to the Big East Conference school. Chennault, who just completed his sophomore season, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. The Neumann-Goretti High School product started all 31 games last season for the Deacons and averaged nine points and 2.8 assists. However, he has said he wanted to play closer to home.

VILLANOVA recruit Daniel Ochefu, a senior forward who came to this country from Nigeria, is no longer at the Westtown School. Sources confirmed that he has withdrawn following what has been described as a minor internal disciplinary action. Ochefu is now attending Downingtown East High, where it is expected he will soon graduate. The sources have indicated that Ochefu is still going to end up on the Main Line. Attempts to reach Ochefu were unsuccessful. Wildcats coach Jay Wright isn't allowed to talk because of NCAA rules, and Westtown coach Seth Berger declined to comment.