Nov. 24, 2006
Tipping It Off
Riding a three-game win streak by an average of 19.0 ppg, the Navy men's basketball team will take a step up in competition with a Saturday night tussle against national power Villanova. The Mids, 4-1 overall, defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore, 82-59, on Tuesday night, behind Greg Sprink's 24 points, Trey Stanton's 15 points and Corey Johnson's fine all-around performance of five points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Villanova, meanwhile is coming off a third-place finish at the star-studded Paradise Jam earlier this week in the Virgin Islands. The Wildcats defeated Iowa in the third-place game, 89-60, after stumbling to Atlantic 10 power Xavier, 71-67, in the semifinals.
Looking Back
The Navy men's basketball team kepts its hot start going last Tuesday with an 82-59 victory over Md.-Eastern Shore. The Mids enter the Villanova game with a 4-1 overall mark, the program's best start since the 1998-99 season. That team started 6-1 en route to a 20-7 overall record and a Patriot League title.
Navy fell behind early, 11-10, but held UMES scoreless for over eight minutes and without a field goal for over 12 minutes in the first half, ending the first 20 minutes on a 30-12 run to take a 40-23 halftime lead.
UMES cut the Navy lead to 59-45 midway through the second half, but Navy ended the game on a 23-14 run to take the 82-59 victory.
The Mids continued their torrid shooting, connecting on .528 percent of their shots (28-of-53) and .474 (9-of-19) of their threee-point attempts. Navy also connected on 17-of-19 free throw tries (.895 percent). Navy shared the ball exceptionally well all night, dishing out a Billy Lange-era record 20 assists on just 28 made baskets. The Mids turned the ball over only 13 times as well and outrebounded UMES, 34-28.
Navy also excelled on the defensive end. Lange's squad limited the Hawks to convert on just .340 percent (17-of-50) and .304 percent (7-of-23) ot their three-point tries.
Greg Sprink led the Mids for the second straight game with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Freshman Trey Stanton contributed 15 points and Corey Johnson scored five points with six rebounds, six assists and three steals. He also committed no turnovers for just the second time in his career (Air Force - 11/27/05).
Villanova Tidbits
One of the nation's top teams, Villanova enters Saturday's game with a 3-1 record after placing third in the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands earlier this week. The Wildcats lost to Xavier in the semifinals, but dominated Iowa, 89-60, in the consolation title game. Villanova also owns wins over Northwood University (97-60) and the College of Charleston (81-68). Villanova was 28-5 last year, was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament falling to eventual national champ, Florida, in the Midwest Regional finals.
Leading the way for Head Coach Jay Wright's club is senior Curtis Sumpter. A 6-7, 223-pound forward, Sumpter is averaging 19.0 ppg after missing all of last year with a knee injury. Mike Nardi and Shane Clark are also averaging in double figures at 13.3 and 11.3 ppg, respectively. Nardi leads the team in assists and steals, while Dante Cunningham is pulling down 5.0 rpg. As a team, the Wildcats are shooting .511 from the field and .443 from three-point range. Villanova is outrebounding its foes, 35.0 - 27.3. The Wildcats are forcing foes into 19.3 turnovers per outing.
In the last time out, Sumpter scored 26 points and Dwayne Anderson added 18 points off the bench to lead the rout of Iowa. Villanova was 14-of-27 from three-point range and forced Iowa into 22 turnovers.
Villanova Connections
Villanova head coach Jay Wright has long been talked about as one of the top, young coaches in the country. One of his pupils, Billy Lange, follows in his footsteps.
Lange coached under Wright from 2001-04 as an assistant coach and coordinator of basketball operations. Both coaches have undertaken massive rebuilding projects at Villanova and Navy and appear to have turned their respective teams around.
Navy assistant coach, Jason Crafton, was an administrative assistant under Wright in 2004-05.
# GO NAVY #
