Senior Eric Dixon makes his season debut in Villanova basketball’s game against Columbia.
General Information:
Teams: Villanova and Columbia
Tip-Off Time: 7:00 p.m.
Watch: CBS Sports
Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
What to know about Columbia
Columbia is coming off the 2023-24 season with a 13-14 overall record and a 4-10 Ivy League record. Notably, Columbia took down Temple, 78-73, in its non-conference schedule last season.
The Lions started this season off with a win, beating Loyola University (MD), 81-78, on Monday, Nov. 4.
Senior Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa returned to Columbia for his final year of eligibility. In his game against Loyola, De La Rosa dropped 24 points, eight rebounds and three assists. His 24 points were four points shy of his career-high of 28. The guard led the team in points and rebounds.
The only other double-digit scorer in the game was junior Kenny Noland, scoring 19 points and five assists.
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Dixon will make his season debut after serving his one-game suspension for participating in the Portsmouth Invitational this offseason.
Dixon averaged a team-leading 16.6 points and 6.5 rebounds. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in the nation.
“I don’t think there’s anybody like Eric Dixon in college basketball,” head coach Kyle Neptune said. “He’s a guy that if you put him one on one, underneath the rim, he’ll score anyone. Put him outside the perimeter, he’ll score on anyone. I don’t think there’s another mixture of his size, experience, shooting ability, play-making ability.”
Villanova defeated Lafayette, 75-63, to open the season without Dixon.
Philadelphia native senior Wooga Poplar propped up the Villanova offense and defense, posting a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double. Poplar was one of four Wildcats who scored double digits.
Senior Enoch Boakye contributed a double-double of his own with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
With Dixon back in the lineup, Villanova’s game against Columbia will lay out what possibilities are to come for the rest of the season.