THINKS THE EAGLES STOLE ONE
After enjoying a 2008-09 season that stretched all the way to the NCAA Final Four, the Villanova basketball team hit the court yesterday for its first practice session of the preseason.
The Wildcats, who fell to eventual champion North Carolina in the national semifinals and finished 30-8, are expected to enter the season as a top-10 team.
"It is fun to get started again," said 'Nova coach Jay Wright, who has a record of 178-91 in eight seasons with the team. "Everybody is excited around here. On the outside, there are great expectations, and the players are hearing that. We just have to deal with it. But we just want to get better every day as a team. "
'Nova will be led by guard Scottie Reynolds, who averaged 15.2 points as a junior. Also back are guards Corey Fisher (10.8) and Corey Stokes (9.3), and forward Antonio Pena (5.1 ppg., 4.2 rpg.). And the Wildcats have added 6-6 Taylor King, a Duke transfer who sat out last season, plus a highly regarded recruiting class.
The Wildcats will not, however, have the services of guard Reggie Redding at the beginning of the season. Redding was ruled ineligible for the fall semester by the university after being arrested in August and charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana.
His court case is pending. Redding gave the Wildcats 7.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season.
At St. Joseph's, the Hawks are entering their 100th year of college basketball and first season at Hagan Arena.
Hagan replaces Alumni Hall, which was undergoing renovation and expansion as St. Joe's played its home games at the Palestra last season. The upgraded facility is named after Michael J. Hagan (Class of '85), and his wife, Joyce, who were the lead benefactors of the project.
With 4,200 seats, capacity for Hawks games has increased by 1,000.
St. Joe's will dedicate the new arena with a ceremony today at 5 p.m. Former Hawks players and coaches will be on hand, including the legendary Jack Ramsay.
This year's St. Joe's team begins practice this morning, with three starters back from a squad that finished 17-15 last season. Coach Phil Martelli is entering his 15th season with a 278-167 record with the Hawks, whose first game at Hagan will take place on Nov. 13 against Drexel.
Drexel, which finished 15-14 last season, returns four starters for coach Bruiser Flint. Flint is 133-108 as he goes into his ninth season with the Dragons, who in November will host their first in-season tournament. Drexel begins preseason practice today.
After going 10-18 overall last season, Penn began its preparations for a rebound season yesterday. Quakers coach Glen Miller, who is 45-45 in three seasons at Penn, welcomes four starters back.
Temple returns two of its top three scorers after going 22-12 and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Fran Dunphy, who is in his fourth season with the Owls, has a 60-40 record with the team. Temple opened practice last night.
LaSalle, which also began its workouts yesterday, has its top four scorers back for John Giannini. After last year's 18-13 finish, Giannini is 71-79 with the Explorers.
Contact staff writer Kevin Tatum at 215-854-2583 or ktatum@phillynews.com.
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