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Sunday, June 24
Updated: July 23, 4:56 PM ET
Team preview: Villanova Wildcats
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 20-12; 8-8 in Big East (t3rd in East)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: Lost to Detroit 67-61 in second round of NIT.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. How will the Wildcats adjust from Steve Lappas to Jay Wright? Can they play more up-tempo if Wright needs them to push the basketball more often? Can they be more balanced without Michael Bradley?
2. The inside-out combination is still in place with Brooks Sales and Gary Buchanan, but will losing Jermaine Medley hurt as much as missing Bradley? If so, who will handle the ball and set up Sales and Buchanan.
3. Can Ricky Wright continue to be a rising star on the team and become a potential go-to player? If so, how does that mesh with Sales and Buchanan?
Three Key Facts
1. The Wildcats may have missed the NCAAs for the second straight season, but they were top among the Philadelphia Big Five with an undefeated record, including wins over NCAA participants St. Joeseph's and Temple.
2. Gary Buchanan made a NCAA-record 73 consecutive free throws last season and finished fourth in the nation's from the charity stripe -- hitting and 94 percent (94 of 100) of his attempts.
3. Brook Sales is the only Wildcat who has played in an NCAA Tournament game. Sales started for Villanova in its '99 opening-round loss to Mississippi. New heach coach Jay Wright, however, has been to the past two tourneys in charge of Hofstra.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Wright keeps his streak alive and gets the Wildcats into the NCAA Tournament after a nice run with Hofstra the past two seasons.
Worst case: Villanova finds itself on the bubble again and in the NIT.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Brook Sales
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Sr.
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F
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6-10/220
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PTS: 9.0 | REB: 6.2 | AST: 1.6
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Gary Buchanan
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Jr.
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G
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6-3/200
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PTS: 13.4 | REB: 4.8 | AST: 3.3
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Michael Bradley
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F
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6-10/245
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PTS: 20.8 | REB: 9.8 | AST: 2.6
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Jermaine Medley
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G
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6-0/165
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PTS: 10.3 | REB: 1.8 | AST: 3.8
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Villanova Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Marcus Austin
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F
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6-9
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Elizabeth/St. Patrick's (N.J.)
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