Villanova basketball gave the University of Pennsylvania its biggest loss since 2009, snapping its four-game Big 5 losing streak.
The Wildcats put their foot on the gas and never let up, defeating Penn, 93-49, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the Finneran Pavilion.
Graduate forward Eric Dixon scored 23 points to mark the fifth-straight game with 20 or more points.
Takeaway #1: Ball movement
An easy takeaway would just be complete dominance from Villanova basketball, but that is too general.
The Wildcats moved the ball extremely well after struggling against UVA. Senior guard Jhamir Brickus generated shot-after-shot, contributing a season-high eight assists. Flashes of Brickus’ passing ability were shown throughout the season, including a double-digit assist performance in Villanova’s exhibition against Robert Morris.
The Wildcats combined for 19 assists against Penn.
In the losses against Saint Joe’s (9) and UVA (8), Villanova combined for 17 assists across both games. Villanova coach Kyle Neptune spoke on moving the ball.
“I think we’re a team with nine new players. Guys are learning how to play together,” Neptune said. “They’re learning their looks, they’re learning their reads and a new offense for most of them. There have been times this year when we’ve shared the ball at a high level, and sometimes the defense throws you off and you miss reads. It’s just a matter of getting used to the offense.”
Villanova moved the ball around the top of the key with ease, always looking to make the extra pass for a better shot attempt.
Takeaway #2: Three-point shooting
The Wildcats have been on the opposing end of good three-point shooting this season, but not against Penn.
Villanova basketball went 60% on three-point attempts, going 18-for-30 from beyond the arc.
Early in the first half, the entire Wildcat team was hot from the three-point line. Dixon started three-for-three on three-point attempts. It has been complete dominance by Dixon who is averaging 24.4 points through his five games.
“Eric Dixon, he’s a tough matchup,” Neptune said. “Great shooter from the perimeter. He’s great in the post. You [can] put him anywhere, he knows what he’s doing. To me, he’s one of the most dangerous players in the country.”
Dixon has scored a minimum of 20 points in every game he has played this season. A Villanova player has not finished the season averaging at least 20 points since Randy Foye in 2005-06.
Senior guard Wooga Poplar came off the bench after not starting due to being late to a team meeting. Poplar, however, still produced numbers. In 25 minutes, Poplar shot five-for-eight on three-pointers to finish with 19 points.
Takeaway #3: Tyler Perkins
Sophomore guard Tyler Perkins took on his former team, Penn, for the first time. If there was motivation to send a message, the message was received.
Perkins started in place of Poplar after he was late to a team meeting.
The Penn transfer made use of his opportunity to start, knocking down the first bucket of the game for Villanova. Perkins finished the night with 12 points, nine rebounds and one block.
Perkins posted a 22-point game last season to lead Penn to a 76-72 win over Villanova on Nov. 13, 2023. Now he handed Penn a loss as a Wildcat.
“Tyler Perkins is the ultimate competitor from the first second he got on campus,” Neptune said. “He’s set the tone. And I think no matter what team he’s on, he’s going to bring it. And I thought he brought that to the game.”
Up next for Villanova (3-3): vs. Maryland (4-1) – Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. in Newark, NJ
Up next for Penn (2-3): vs. Navy (1-4) – Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m.