Joe Juliano, Inquirer Staff Writer
Sophomore guard Achraf Yacoubou has decided to transfer from Villanova, according to web reports.
The 6-foot-4 Yacoubou, the New York state player of the year in 2011, averaged 2.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 31 games for the Wildcats during the past season. He was fourth on the team with 21 three-point baskets, shooting nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc, and had a season-high 13 points in a win last December over Penn.
However, he saw his playing time decrease toward the end of the season, and did not play in three of Villanova’s last six games.
The ninth-seeded Villanova Wildcats open up their NCAA Tournament with a game against the UNC Tar Heels. CineSport's Noah Coslov and The Inquirer's Joe Juliano discuss 'Nova's keys to the game.
The Inquirer's Marc Narducci discusses Villanova's confidence going into their NCAA matchup against University of North Carolina on Friday.
Joe Juliano, Inquirer Staff Writer
While talking about his team Thursday during his NCAA press conference in Kansas City, Mo., Villanova coach Jay Wright made a point of warmly recognizing La Salle for its first-round victory over Boise State.
The Explorers defeated the Broncos, 80-71, Wednesday night in Dayton, Ohio, earning them a trip to Kansas City for a second-round game against fourth-seeded Kansas State in the West Regional on Friday.
Wright said he watched the early and late stages of the game on television and noted “they really looked good.” He said he and La Salle coach John Giannini texted each other after the game.
Joe Juliano, Inquirer Staff Writer
North Carolina coach Roy Williams is impressed with what Villanova, the Tar Heels’ opponent in the second round of the NCAA South Regional, has accomplished this season.
Williams, speaking Tuesday at a news conference in Chapel Hill, admitted that he still didn’t know too much about the Wildcats and their style of play but expected to receive a scouting report from assistant coach Steve Robinson on Wednesday morning in preparation for Friday night’s game in Kansas City, Mo.
Williams said he knows the kind of team that ‘Nova coach Jay Wright produces every year.
The ninth-seeded Villanova Wildcats open up their NCAA Tournament with a game against the UNC Tar Heels. The Inquirer's Joe Juliano and CineSport's Noah Coslov discuss 'Nova's keys to the game.
Villanova men's basketball head coach Jay Wright discusses the NCAA Tournament after learning the Wildcats will be facing North Carolina Friday night in the NCAA Tournament.
Joe Juliano, Inquirer Staff Writer
Now that Villanova has all but wrapped up an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament following its 66-53 victory over St. John’s, it gets another chance to play fourth-ranked Louisville, this time in Thursday night’s quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden.
The Wildcats (20-12) picked up their first of three wins over Top 5 teams on Jan. 22 when they defeated the Cardinals 73-64 at the Wells Fargo Center. They placed five players in double figures and weren’t affected too badly by 19 turnovers against Louisville’s pressing defense.
“That game definitely was important for us,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said. “We knew we were getting a lot better. Winning is just … it justifies everything you’re teaching the guys. It gives the guys confidence in what you’re doing. So that game was big for us.”
Joe Juliano, Inquirer Staff Writer
Villanova guard Ryan Arcidiacono was a unanimous selection to the Big East All-Rookie team announced Sunday.
The 6-foot-3 Arcidiacono, a Neshaminy High graduate who is the Wildcats' second-leading scorer and their top three-point shooter, joined forward Jakarr Sampson of St. John's as unanimous selections to the team in the vote of Big East coaches.
The Big East Rookie of the Year award, which will be announced Tuesday, is expected to come down to either Arcidiacono or Sampson.
Joe Juliano, Inquirer Staff Writer
The final day of the last season of the Big East as we know it has concluded, and Villanova has emerged with the seventh seed in the conference tournament and a date against St. John's on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Wildcats (19-12, 10-8 Big East), who have a first-round bye, drew St. John's as their opponent after the Red Storm lost to Marquette on Saturday in overtime, and Cincinnati defeated South Florida, also in overtime. The Red Storm (16-14, 8-10) enter the tournament as the 10th seed, along with a four-game losing streak.
Villanova opened its Big East season against St. John's at the Pavilion on Jan. 2 and captured a 98-86 overtime victory.
Juliano joined the Inquirer in 1985 after 10 years at United Press International and has covered college sports for most of that time. His current beats are Villanova basketball, Penn State football, golf and the Penn Relays. Reach Joe at jjuliano@phillynews.com.
