Villanova University

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Villanova University (16-6 Overall, 7-4 Big East)

vs.

Syracuse University (10-10 Overall, 4-6 Big East)

February 10, 2001 * 7:00 P.M.

The Pavilion

Villanova, Pa.

Series History:

Overall Series Record: VU Leads 29-10

Last VU Win: 2/1/00, 57-44

Last SU Win: 1/19/00, 66-42

Streak: VU won last meeting

Media Information:

Interview Requests-All Interview requests should be directed toward Dean Kenefick, Director of Media Relations at (610) 519-4120.

Internet Site-Villanova's recently re-designed web-page can be found at www.villanova.com.

Hotline-Get up-to-date scores on all your favorite Wildcat sports on the official hotline: (888) 400-NOVA

RADIO- WZZD-990 AM, Play-by-Play--Ryan Fannon, Color Analyst--Karen Daly

Game Notes:

WILDCATS FALL FROM POLL: For the first time in three weeks, the Wildcats have fallen out of the Top 25. On Monday, Jan. 22, Villanova earned its first national ranking since the 1986-87 season by being ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press poll. In the AP poll released a week later, the `Cats were again at No. 24. In the AP poll released on Monday, Feb. 5, Villanova was second in others receiving votes with 63 points. Clemson is No. 25 this week with 90 points, while Maryland is the top team receiving votes with 80 points.

WELCOME BACK ALUMNAE: Keeping with tradition, the Villanova Athletic Department will honor its former women's basketball players before Saturday's game with Syracuse by hosting the annual Alumnae Game which will begin at 4:45 p.m. Approximately 50 former players are expected to return for the event.

BEISEL TO BE HONORED: At halftime of Saturday's game with Syracuse, former Wildcat standout Kathie Beisel will have her jersey retired. Beisel's number 10 will join past honorees and hang from the rafters of The Pavilion. Keeping with tradition, Beisel's jersey will be retired, but her number will stay in circulation. Beisel played for head coach Harry Perretta and the Wildcats from 1979-83. During her career, she helped lead the Wildcats to three 20-win seasons and an 85-30 record. As a junior in 1981-82, Beisel started all 33 games for a Villanova team that went 29-4 and advanced to the AIAW Final Four. During that Final Four season, Beisel averaged 12.0 pg., 5.8 rpg., 5.1 apg., and 2.9 spg. As a senior in 1982-83, Beisel was named first team All-Big East Conference. A tenacious defensive player, Beisel still holds the school record for steals in a career with 339. She also ranks high on a number of Villanova career lists including seventh in scoring (1,328 points), third in assists (5-7), and fourth in rebounding (729). She still holds six Wildcat school records. Beisel's younger sister, Jenn, also played for the Wildcats (1994-98) and she ranks 13th on the Villanova career scoring list with 1,050 points.

A LOOK BACK: Villanova and Syracuse played twice last season with each team winning on its home court. In a game played at Syracuse on Jan. 19, 2000, the Orangewomen dominated the Wildcats by a score of 66-42. Syracuse led 25-20 at halftime and outscored Villanova, 41-22, in the second half. In the win, Orangewomen Beth Record led the way with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, while Shannon Perry had a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Villanova was paced by Trish Juhline who netted 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting. When the two teams met at The Pavilion on Feb. 1, 2000, the Wildcats earned a 57-44 win. The `Cats led by just two (23-21) at halftime, before outscoring the Orange, 34-23, in the second stanza. Juhline once again led Villanova in the victory with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting (3-of-4 from three-point range), while Jenea Skeeters added 14 points. Stephanie Baker pulled-down eight rebounds for Villanova. Syracuse was led in the loss by Record who had 11 points and Perry who had 10 points.

LIFE AFTER UCONN: After losing at Connecticut last Sunday by a score of 75-39, Villanova rebounded on Wednesday with a 63-47 victory at Georgetown. With the win over the Hoyas, the Wildcats are now 8-1 since the 1994-95 season in the game following the Connecticut contest.

BARNES LEADS THE WAY: Senior center Brandi Barnes led the way for the Wildcats last Wednesday in the team's 63-47 win at Georgetown. In 27 minutes of action, Barnes tallied 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting to go with nine rebounds, two blocks and an assist. The 19-point effort was her 17th double figure scoring game of the season. Of her 17 double figure scoring games, five have been of 20 points or more. Entering the Syracuse game on Saturday, Feb. 10, Barnes leads the team in scoring (14.0 ppg.), field goal percentage (126-for-248 for 50.8 percent) and blocked shots with 28. She is also second on the team in rebounding with a 6.2 rpg. average. In the latest Big East statistics, Barnes is 11th in scoring, fifth in field goal percentage, sixth in blocked shots and 17th in rebounding.

MIXING IN: Freshman forward Courtney Mix has been an integral member of the 2000-2001 Wildcat squad all year long. The versatile Mix has seen time this year at both guard spots and both forward positions. After 22 games, Mix is averaging 7.2 ppg., a team-high 6.3 rpg., a team-best 1.7 spg., and 2.3 apg., in 25.8 minutes per contest. From a scoring standpoint, Mix has reached double figures in six games this season. In the last four games, Mix has committed just one turnover.

DANDY DAVIS: Sophomore Katie Davis was sensational in Villanova's 63-47 win at Georgetown last Wednesday. In 35 minutes of action, Davis scored 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting (3-of-4 from behind the arc) and had a career-high six assists, four rebounds and three steals. This was her 10th double figure scoring game of the year and in those 10 contests the Wildcats are 8-2. For the year, Davis is averaging 9.5 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 2.6 apg., and 1.3 spg., (second on team). In just Big east games, she is averaging 10.5 ppg.

SHOOTING THE TRIFECTA: Sophomore guard Trish Juhline continues to the lead the Big East Conference in three-point field goals made with 55 in 142 attempts for 38.7 percent. Juhline has made at least one three-pointer in 20 of the 22 games this year and she has made three or more triples in 12 of the 22 games. For the year, she is averaging 11.9 ppg., 2.5 rpg., 2.8 apg., (second on team) and 1.1 spg.

TEAM BASKETBALL: As is the case with all Harry Perretta coached teams, this year's Wildcat squad does a good job of playing team basketball. In the team's last outing versus Georgetown, the Wildcats had an assist on 19 of their 23 field goals. For the season, Villanova has had an assist on 393 of its 501 field goals for 78.4 percent. By comparison, Villanova's opponents have had an assist on 269 of 494 field goals 54.4 percent.

DIAL LONG DISTANCE : Villanova continues to use the three-point shot to its advantage. After 22 games, the Wildcats are 161-of-479 (33.6 percent) from three-point land, while their opponents are just 51-of-210 for 24.3 percent. When you look at it in points, Villanova has outscored its opposition by 330 points at 483-153 from behind the arc. The Wildcats are currently averaging 21.7 three-point field goal attempts per game, while they are making an average of 7.3 triples per contest which ranks sixth in the latest NCAA statistics. There have been seven games this year where Villanova has made 10 or more three-point field goals in a game.

106 STRAIGHT: Entering the Syracuse game on Saturday, Feb. 10, Villanova has made at least one three-point field goal in 106-straight games. The last time the `Cats failed to connect on a triple in a game came at Boston College on Jan 25, 1997. Twice during this 106 game span, Villanova has tied the NCAA record for three-point field goals made in a game with 18 (vs. Penn 12/20/97 and earlier this year versus WVU on 1/3/00).

WILDCATS CLINCH WINNING SEASON: With the 63-52 win over St. John's on Wednesday, Jan. 31, Villanova guaranteed itself of a winning season in 2000-2001. This marks the 15th winning season in head coach Harry Perretta's 23-year Villanova career. Of those 15 winning seasons, nine have resulted in 20 wins or more. During his Wildcat career, Perretta has tallied 15 winning seasons, three years of .500 ball and just five losing seasons. His 23-year record currently stands at 411-242 (.629).

CONSISTENT STARTERS: Villanova has used the same starting line-up in 19 of its 22 games this season. The starting five of Mimi Riley (point guard), Trish Juhline (shooting guard), Brandi Barnes (center), Katie Davis (small forward) and Nicole Druckenmiller (power forward) has been used in every contest except Penn State, Fairfield and Notre Dame. Junior Stephanie Baker started for Barnes versus Penn State and she started for Druckenmiller at Notre Dame. Against Fairfield, head coach Harry Perretta started Kelly Nash who is a Fairfield, Conn. native in place of Katie Davis.

BLOODLINES: Sophomore forward Nicole Druckenmiller and freshman forward Courtney Mix both have members of their immediate families with professional athlete status. Druckenmiller's brother, Jim, was a star quarterback at Virginia Tech and played in the NFL with both the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins. He is currently a member of the Memphis Maniax of the XFL. Mix's father, Steve, played in the NBA for the Pistons (1969-72), 76ers (1973-82), Bucks (1982), and Lakers (1982-83). He is currently a television broadcaster for the 76ers.

BIG WINS: By defeating No. 10 Rutgers on Saturday, Jan. 20, Villanova has now tallied three wins over ranked opponents in the last two seasons. Last season, Villanova won at No. 9 Rutgers, 66-65, in overtime and they defeated No. 19 Boston College, 60-59, in a game played at Villanova.

2000-2001 DOUBLE-DOUBLES:

Brandi Barnes vs. Pennsylvania (12/12)- 20 points, 11 rebounds

Brandi Barnes vs. Bucknell (12/29)- 20 points, 11 rebounds

Courtney Mix vs. Georgetown(1/10)- 11 points, 11 rebounds

Brandi Barnes vs. Virginia Tech (1/23)- 16 points, 10 rebounds

VILLANOVA PICKED SEVENTH: In the Big East Conference preseason Coaches poll, Villanova was chosen to finish seventh in the 14-member Big East Conference. The following is the coaches order of finish.

1. Connecticut 169

2. Rutgers 152

3. Notre Dame 150

4. Boston College 129

5. Georgetown 100

Virginia Tech 100

7. VILLANOVA 94

8. Pittsburgh 92

9. Miami 88

10. Syracuse 53

11. St. John's 49

12. Providence 44

13. Seton Hall 39

14. West Virginia 15