Villanova’s first full game without Matt Hodge went about as well as the Wildcats could have hoped.
On Saturday afternoon, Villanova hope to build momentum for the postseason when the Wildcats host Xavier in the regular-season finale for both Big East squads.
Villanova has been off since Wednesday, when the Wildcats beat DePaul, 76-57. Xavier last played Tuesday, falling 77-68 to Seton Hall.
The win continued a five-game stretch in which Villanova (23-7, 14-5 Big East) has alternated wins and losses — a span that began with a 92-89 overtime win over Xavier on Feb. 17.
The Wildcats, who are locked into the No. 3 seed in next week’s Big East tournament, sustained their costliest defeat of the season last Saturday when Hodge tore his right ACL in an 89-57 loss to then-No. 15 St. John’s.
Hodge averaged 9.2 points per game and led Villanova with 17 blocks.
Villanova started slowly Wednesday, when DePaul led by as many as eight in the first half. But the Wildcats took a 26-24 halftime lead and dominated the second half, shooting 64.3% (18 of 28) while limiting the Blue Demons to 48% shooting (12 of 25), including 1 of 7 from 3-point land.
Villanova also pulled down 35 rebounds — its most since the Xavier win — and forced 16 turnovers, its most since Feb. 10 vs. Marquette.
“Losing Matt was very sad for us,” said forward Duke Brennan, who had 15 points and 12 rebounds vs. DePaul. “As older guys, we understand what is required. But I have to give credit to the younger guys, too. They took the keys of rebounding and (being) physical (Wednesday) and did a great job with that.”
For Xavier (14-16, 6-13), its hopes of playing spoiler Saturday and during the Big East tournament likely hinge on the health of veteran forward Tre Carroll, who sustained a right hip injury in the first half Wednesday. Carroll didn’t practice Thursday and is questionable for the Villanova clash.
Without Carroll, Xavier blew a second-half lead against Seton Hall. That’s been a common theme in Richard Pitino’s first season, also doing so in both games vs. St. John’s as well as the earlier defeat to Villanova and the first Seton Hall matchup.
St. John’s and Villanova are NCAA Tournament locks while Seton Hall is on the bubble entering the final weekend of regular-season play.
“We’re all certainly disappointed with the record,” Pitino said. “As I said before, it’s going to get right. I know that’s going to happen. The season’s not over yet.”
