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Villanova Women's Basketball Begins NCAA Tournament Play Sunday Versus Ole Miss
March 18, 2004 Villanova Women's Basketball Game Notes for the NCAA Tournament First Round. The #7 seed in the West Region, the Villanova Wildcats (22-6) will travel to Ames, Iowa to take on the #10 seed in the West, the Mississippi Lady Rebels (17-13) on Sunday, March 21, at 6:00 p.m. central time, in the NCAA Tournament First Round. The game can be seen live on ESPN2 or heard live on WZZD 990 AM at 6:00 p.m. central time and 7:00 p.m. EST. Click on the pdf link below for the complete version of the Wildcats' game notes.
Complete Release in PDF Format
Series Record: Overall Series Record: Ole Miss Leads 1-0 Last Villanova Win: N/A Last Ole Miss Win: 12/28/83, 79-62
Media Information: Interview Requests- All Interview requests should be directed toward Dean Kenefick, Asst. Athletics Director for Communications at (610) 519-4120. TELEVISION- Live on ESPN2 (Play by Play: Dave Revsine, Color Analysis: Patti Phillips) RADIO- Live on WZZD 990-AM (Play by Play: Joe Eichhorn, Color Analysis: Michele Eberz) Internet Broadcasts- Selected games can be heard live on the internet at www.villanova.com
Villanova News & Notes:
SCOUTING MISSISSIPPI: The Lady Rebels enter the 2004 NCAA Tournament as a No. 10 seed with a 17-13 overall record. Mississippi earned an at large bid to this year's tournament after finishing 17-13 overall and 7-7 in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference. This is the Rebels' first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1996. The Lady Rebels are led by head coach Carol Ross who is in her first year at her alma mater. Ross was named SEC Co-Coach of the Year along with Tennessee's Pat Summitt. In the SEC Tournament, Ole Miss defeated Alabama, 63-56, in the first round before losing to LSU in the quarterfinal round by a score of 79-66. Mississippi is led by freshman Armintie Price who is averaging a team-high 15.3 points per game and a team-best 9.4 rebounds per contest. Price is also shooting a team-high 56.3 percent from the floor (169-of-300). For her efforts this year, Price was voted the SEC Newcomer of the Year. Senior guard Genice Terry is also averaging double figures in scoring at 12.3 points per contest. Junior guard Carletta Brown has tallied a team-high 141 assists, while junior center Amber Watts owns a team-best 38 blocked shots. As a team, the Lady Rebels are averaging 73.0 points per game and giving up 69.3 points per contest.
UNFAMILIAR FOE: Villanova and Mississippi will be meeting for just the second time when the two teams face one another in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The first meeting came in 1983 at the La Salle University Christmas Tournament where the Lady Rebels tallied a 79-62 win over the Wildcats. Villanova head coach Harry Perretta, who is currently in his 26th year as the Wildcat mentor, was in his sixth year during that first meeting.
VILLANOVA VS. THE SEC: The Wildcats begin play in the 2004 NCAA Tournament against Southeastern Conference member University of Mississippi. Historically, Villanova has struggled against opponents from the Southeastern Conference. In 10 all-time meetings versus SEC competition, Villanova has tallied a 2-8 mark (1-2 vs. Alabama, 0-1 vs. Georgia, 0-1 vs. Kentucky, 0-1 vs. LSU, 0-1 vs. Mississippi, 1-0 vs. Mississippi State, 0-1 vs. Tennessee, 0-1 vs. Vanderbilt).
FOUR IN A ROW: This year's NCAA Tournament marks Villanova's fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament after earning the No. 7 seed in the West Region. The Wildcats will take on No. 10 seed Mississippi at 6 p.m. central time in the first round at Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State University. With a win over Ole Miss, Villanova would play the winner of the game between No. 2 seed Purdue and No. 15 seed St. Francis (Pa.) on Tuesday, March 23.
NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY: Villanova will be making its eighth all-time NCAA Tournament appearance this weekend in Ames, Iowa. In their 13 NCAA Tournament games, the Wildcats have tallied a 6-7 record. 1985-86 No. 7 seed Defeated No. 10 LaSalle (60-55)at The Palestra Lost to No. 2 Rutgers (85-58) in Piscataway, N.J. WELL RESTED: When Villanova begins play versus Mississippi in the NCAA Tournament, it will be exactly two weeks since the Wildcats last played. Villanova's last outing came against West Virginia (58-47 loss) in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday, March 7. The Wildcats were in desperate need of a break following the Big East Tournament. In addition to being on the road nine of 13 days from the end of the regular season through the Big East Tournament, six players were suffering from the stomach flu throughout their stay at the Big East Tournament.
STAYING NEUTRAL: For the first time during its four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, Villanova will be playing at a first/second round site that has all neutral site teams. Over the last three years, Villanova is 13-4 in neutral court games.
FINISHING STRONG: Villanova saved its best basketball for the end of the 2003-04 season. The Wildcats enter play in the NCAA Tournament having won eight of their last nine games. The team entered the February portion of the schedule with a 14-5 record and tallied a 7-0 mark in February for the second-straight year. The 'Cats concluded the regular season with a win at Pittsburgh to improve to 22-5. Villanova saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end with a loss to West Virginia in the quarterfinal round of the Big East Tournament. The month of February has been good to Villanova over the last four seasons. Villanova has won 20 consecutive February games and is 26-4 in the second month of the year over the last four seasons.
20 WIN PLATEAU: Villanova's 22-6 overall record marks the fourth-straight year that the Wildcats have won 20 or more games. It is also the 13th time in his 26-year Villanova career that head coach Harry Perretta has led the Wildcats to a 20+ win season. The four-year stretch began in 2000-01 with a 22-9 record and continued with a 20-11 mark in 2001-02 and a 28-6 record last season.
ONE WIN SHY: With one more win, the 2004 senior class will tie the class of 1987 for the most victories by a class in the history of Villanova women's basketball. The 1987 class tallied a program-best 93 wins in 121 games for a .768 winning percentage. This year's senior trio of Jeanine Johnson, Courtney Mix and Kelly Nash are currently 92-32 for a .741 winning percentage.
ONE LOSS AT A TIME: The Wildcats enter play in the NCAA Tournament coming off a 58-47 setback to West Virginia in the quarterfinal round of the Big East Tournament. Villanova reached its 22-6 overall record this year by not having lost more than one game in a row. After each loss this season, Villanova rebounded the next game with a victory. The average margin of win following the team's first five losses this year is 13.4.
THREE-POINT SUCCESS: A big reason why Villanova managed to win eight of its last nine games is due in large part to the team's three-point shooting. In the last nine games combined, the Wildcats are 80-of-195 (41.0%) from three-point range and have made double figures in three-pointers in four of the nine games. All total, Villanova has had eight double figure made three-point field goal games to its credit this year. The Wildcats are coming off one of their worst three-point shooting games of the year. In their last outing versus West Virginia in the Big East Tournament, the 'Cats shot a dismal 13.6 percent (3-of-22) from behind the arc. For the season, the Wildcats are 213-of-590 (36.1%) from long distance. Villanova has outscored its opponents this year, 639-252, from three-point range. In the latest Big East Conference statistics, Villanova currently leads the league in three-point field goals made.
DIAL LONG DISTANCE: Villanova enters play in the NCAA Tournament having made at least one three-point field goal in 207 of its last 208 games. Villanova's streak of making at least one three-point field goal in 191 consecutive games was snapped at Boston College on Jan. 2 when the 'Cats were 0-for-10 from behind the arc.
THE MAGIC 60: When Villanova scores 60 or more points in a game, its chances for success are pretty good. After 28 games this season, the Wildcats are 16-0 when scoring 60 or more points. Last season, Villanova was a perfect 19-0 when tallying 60 or more points.
DEFENSIVE MINDED: Villanova has played outstanding defense all season long. Entering play in the 2004 NCAA Tournament, Villanova is giving up 52.3 points per game which leads the Big East Conference and is second in the country in scoring defense. After 28 games this year, the 'Cats have allowed 60 or less points 19 times and 50 or less on 11 occasions.
THE GOOD HANDS PEOPLE: Villanova currently leads the country in fewest turnovers per game at 9.2 per contest (258 in 28 games). In the latest NCAA stats released on March 15, the next closest team to the Wildcats is the University of Montana with an average of 12.1 turnovers per contest. The team's worst turnover performance of the year came on Wednesday, Jan. 7 versus Miami with a season-high 16 turnovers. In a 70-40 win over Columbia on Dec. 30, Villanova committed a season-low three turnovers. The 'Cats have had 14 single digit turnover games this year, including six in their last outing versus West Virginia in the Big East Tournament.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB: Senior guard Courtney Mix became the 17th player in Villanova Women's Basketball history to score 1,000 career points when she accomplished the feat in a 75-45 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday, February 8. Mix went over the 1,000 point mark when she connected on a three-point field goal with 18:29 left in the second half. VILLANOVA 1,000 POINT SCORERS Name Years Games Points Avg. 1. Shelly Pennefather 1983-87 117 2,408 20.5 2. Nancy Bernhardt 1980-84 119 2,018 16.9 3. Trish Juhline 1999-03 119 1,659 13.9 4. Lisa Ortlip 1978-82 111 1,634 14.7 5. Lisa Angelotti 1984-88 119 1,622 13.6 6. Jenea Skeeters 1996-00 115 1,387 12.1 7. Denise Dillon 1992-96 107 1,355 12.7 8. Kathie Beisel 1979-83 114 1,328 11.6 9. Katie Davis 1999-03 126 1,293 10.2 10. Helen Koskinen 1986-90 118 1,292 10.9 11. Nikki Benedix 1989-93 104 1,280 12.3 12. Michele Thornton 1991-95 111 1,261 11.4 13. Karen Hiznay 1977-81 96 1,072 11.2 14. Courtney Mix 2000-04 124 1,064 8.5 15. Karen Hargadon 1983-87 117 1,058 9.0 16. Jenn Beisel 1994-98 111 1,050 9.4 17. Kathy Straccia 1975-79 76 1,048 13.8
LEADING THE WAY: As she has done throughout her Main Line career, senior Courtney Mix continues to put up impressive statistics in a number of different categories. After 28 games, Mix is leading the team in three categories, including rebounding (7.0 rpg.), assists (4.4 apg.), and steals (1.6 spg.), and she is second in blocks (1.4 bpg.) and in scoring with an 8.0 ppg. average.
PLAYING SMART: After 28 games in 2003-04, senior Courtney Mix is putting up staggering numbers in the assist to turnover category. For the year, Mix has tallied 124 assists and just 24 turnovers for an incredible 5.1:1 assist to turnover ratio. In the latest Big East statistics, the next closest person to Mix in this category is West Virginia's Yolanda Paige who has a ratio of 2.5:1.
AMONG THE LEADERS: In the latest Big East Conference statistics for overall games, Villanova senior Courtney Mix ranks in the top 10 in five different categories. In addition to leading the league in assist to turnover ratio (5.1:1), Mix is fourth in blocked shots (1.4 per game), fourth in assists (4.4 per game), fifth in defensive rebounding (5.3 per game), and eighth in overall rebounding (7.0 per game).
A GOOD MIX: Senior Courtney Mix will finish her Main Line career as one of the top all-around players in Villanova history. Entering play in the NCAA Tournament, Mix has played in 124 consecutive games and has 1,064 career points, a career 6.9 rebounds per game average, a career 3.6 assists per game average and a career assist to turnover ratio of 3.1:1 In addition, Mix has helped Villanova to a four-year record of 92-32 (.741), including four 20-win seasons, four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, a trip to the Elite Eight and a Big East championship.
FOUR YEARS OF EXCELLENCE: Senior guard Courtney Mix is on pace to leave Villanova ranking in the top 10 in a number of career categories. Entering play in the NCAA Tournament, Mix ranks high on a number of the Villanova career lists. She currently ranks third all-time in rebounding with 855 and sixth on the all-time assist list with 452. She also has 1,064 career points to her credit which ranks her in 14th place on the school's all-time scoring list.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Wildcat guard Courtney Mix has been familiar with the game of basketball since birth. Courtney's father, Steve, played in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons (1969-72), Philadelphia 76ers (1973-82) and the Los Angeles Lakers (1982-83). He played on three NBA final teams, ranks fifth on the 76er all-time steals list (851), totaled 8,355 career points and was an NBA All-Star in 1975. Mix is currently the color commentator for 76er television games. Courtney is not the only member of the Mix familiy to play college basketball. Older sister, Stephanie, played at Drexel University, while younger brother Andy is currently a member of the Muskingum College basketball squad.
TOP CAT: Sophomore forward Liad Suez has been Villanova's leading scorer all season long. Suez is in her first year of eligibility after sitting out last year due to NCAA regulations regarding foreign players. In 28 games this year, the 6-2 sophomore from Even-Yehuda, Israel has tallied 20+ points on six occasions and she reached double figures in points in 19 of the 28 games. Her last 20-point game came in Villanova's upset of No. 1 ranked Connecticut when she netted 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting (3-of-7 from three-point range), including a perfect 8-for-8 effort from the floor in the second half. Suez has been Villanova's leading scorer in 15 of the team's 28 games this season. She is currently averaging a team-high 13.4 points per game and is shooting 46.0 percent from the floor (142-of-309) and 38.7 percent from three-point range (55-of-142). Suez is the third foreign student-athlete to play for head coach Harry Perretta and the Wildcats.
STAY BEHIND THE LINE: When Villanova senior guard Kelly Nash takes a shot, it is a good bet that the shot will come from behind the three-point arc. In 28 games thus far this year, Nash has taken 136 field goal attempts with 119 coming from three-point range. In addition, 51 of her 56 made field goals are from long distance. For the year, she is 51-of-119 from three-point range for 42.9 percent. In just Big East Conference play, Nash was 36-of-81 from long distance for a conference-best 44.4 percent.
BENCH SUPPORT: In the last eight games, redshirt freshman forward Jackie Adamshick has been one of Villanova's top performers and has given the Wildcats a big boost off the bench. In the eight games combined, Adamshick is 38-of-67 from the floor (56.7%) including a 14-of-27 effort from three-point range (51.8%) for 97 points, giving her an average of 12.1 points per game during that span. Her best effort of the seven game stretch came versus St. John's on Feb. 21, when she was 10-of-12 from the floor and 5-of-6 from three-point range, for a career-best 27 points. The 27 points is the most tallied by a Wildcat this year. For the season, Adamshick is 84-of-176 from the field (47.7%) and 22-of-58 from three-point range (37.9%) and is averaging 7.7 points per game which ranks third on the team.
BETTER WITH AGE: The most improved player on the 2003-04 Villanova roster is junior forward Jennifer Hilgenberg. Last year, Hilgenberg had one double figure scoring game, while she has had eight double figure scoring efforts this season. She began her improvement in last year's NCAA Tournament when she went 11-of-21 from the field in Villanova's four NCAA Tournament games, including a then career-high 14 points versus George Washington. Hilgenberg is currently fourth on the team in scoring with a 7.1 points per game average. Below is a comparison of Hilgenberg's stats from last year to this season. 2002-03 (33 games) 2.3 ppg. 31.1% FG (33-of-106) 20.0% 3-PT (3-of-15)
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT: Of the 14 players on the 2003-04 Villanova roster, nine are either freshmen or sophomores. The lone seniors on this year's squad are co-captains Kelly Nash and Courtney Mix. The nine freshmen and sophomores have combined to score 58.6 percent (1,004 of 1,712) of Villanova's points this season.
TEAM BASKETBALL: One of the trademarks of Harry Perretta coached Villanova teams is the unselfish manner in which his teams play. The 2003-04 Wildcats look to be no exception. After 28 games, Villanova has been credited with an assist on 410 of its 635 field goals for 64.5 percent.
PHILLY'S FINEST: Entering play in the NCAA Tournament, Villanova head coach Harry Perretta has 487 career wins to his credit. The 487 victories are the most wins in the history of Philadelphia Big Five basketball for both men and women. Current Temple men's coach John Chaney is second with 483 wins. Former Villanova men's mentor Al Severance is third on the list with 417 victories, followed by former Temple men's coach Harry Litwack with 373 and former Villanova men's coach Rollie Massimino with 357. NOTE: Statistics include just wins at a Big Five school
BIG SHOES TO FILL: Villanova's 22-6 record in 2003-04 is an impressive feat when you see how much the Wildcats lost from last year's Elite Eight team that tallied a 28-6 mark. The 2003 senior class of Nicole Druckenmiller, Katie Davis and Trish Juhline combined to start 323 of a possible 364 games and helped Villanova to an 85-41 overall record (.674) and a 42-22 Big East Conference mark. The trio also played a big part in the Wildcats tallying three consecutive 20-win seasons and three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances where they advanced to the Elite Eight in 2003. All together, the three combined to score 3,593 career points and connect on 669 three-point field goals. Juhline is currently on the coaching staff at Drexel University, while Davis is playing professionally in Luxembourg and Druckenmiller is working in Florida.
CONFERENCE WINS: By virtue of its 12-4 league record in 2003-04, Villanova has now registered double figure Big East victories in four consecutive years. Beginning with the 2000-01 season, the Wildcats have recorded a 45-17 (.725) mark in Big East Conference regular season games.
OVERACHIEVING: In the 2003-04 Big East Conference preseason coaches poll, Villanova was chosen to finish seventh in the 14-member Big East Conference. The Wildcats exceeded expectations and went 12-4 in the league and tied Notre Dame for second place.
PHILADELPHIA BRAGGING RIGHTS: By virtue of its 66-57 win at Temple on Dec. 19, Villanova finished Philadelphia Big Five play with a 4-0 record to give the Wildcats a second-straight City Series title. Villanova also won last year's Big Five championship with a 4-0 mark. This year's championship was Villanova's 10th Big Five title in the program's history (six outright/four shared). Villanova's four Big Five wins this year came against Penn (57-40), at La Salle (51-48), Saint Joseph's (72-68) and at Temple (66-57). Since beginning Philadelphia Big Five play in 1979, Villanova has compiled a 74-25 all-time record in City Series play for a .747 winning percentage.
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