Villanova Wildcats (1-0) vs. Temple Owls (0-1)
The 2022-23 NCAA men’s basketball schedule continues on Friday as the Villanova Wildcats take on the Temple Owls at The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
No. 16 Villanova is coming off an 81-68 victory over La Salle University on Monday. Temple dropped their opener when they lost to Wagner in overtime on Monday, 76-73. These teams have not faced each other since February 2020, when the Wildcats beat the Owls, 76-56. Villanova has defeated Temple in each of the last seven meetings dating back to 2014.
Villanova jumped out to a 37-23 lead over La Salle then held off a late attack, winning 81-68. The Wildcats shot better than 50% in both halves, finishing at 55.8% overall, but La Salle came to life in the second half, hitting 33.0% in the first half and 50% in the second.
The big news for the Wildcats is that they have a new head coach, as Kyle Neptune takes over for Hall of Famer Jay Wright. There is clearly a lot of pressure on the new coach, but he is taking it in stride. “I get all the hype that's out there — first game, Big 5 game, a new coach's first game,” Neptune said. “Being a part of this program for so long, I think we have a unique resolve about playing and coaching for each other. That's truly all we think about. When you think that way, there's nothing to be nervous about.”
Our guy @_camwhitmore_ has been selected to the Preseason Naismith Trophy Watch List!! ?? #HumbleAndHungry pic.twitter.com/KbaAED8Su3
— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) November 8, 2022
Caleb Daniels led the victory, producing a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Eric Dixon had 20 points as the five starters combined for 73 points. The Wildcats will be a bit shorthanded for this contest, however, as both Justin Moore and Cam Whitmore will be out.