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2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Thursday, March 27, 2008

‘Nova even smaller without Drummond

By Ryan Wood

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Villanova's Casiem Drummond (5) gets help from teammate Shane Clark (22) and trainer Jeff Pierce. Drummond, Villanova's tallest player at 6-foot-10, broke his ankle against Siena and will not play Friday against Kansas.

Villanova's basketball team has just one player who can match the size of Kansas University's biggest players.

Here's the problem: That player, sophomore Casiem Drummond, is staying in Philadelphia this weekend with a cast around his right ankle and a surgically inserted screw keeping the bone together.

Drummond broke his ankle in the first half of last weekend's NCAA Tournament second-round game against Siena. He won't be at Ford Field on Friday, when 12th-seeded Villanova (22-12) meets top-seeded Kansas (33-3) in a Midwest Regional semifinal.

"Cas was a great player, and he can come in at any time and give you a break in the inside," Villanova forward Dante Cunningham said. "It definitely changes things."

Drummond's loss means Cunningham and two of his teammates are the Wildcats' tallest available players - at 6-foot-8. Cunningham will start Friday, as will 6-8 freshman Antonio Pena.

A third 6-8 player, seldom-used Frank Tchuisi, could play more than usual against the Jayhawks out of necessity.

"We faced big men all the time in the Big East," Cunningham said. "Most of the big men are 6-10 and above. We usually take that as a challenge."

Truth be told, Villanova is used to playing without Drummond. The 6-10 bruiser started the season strong, averaging 7.9 points and 8.6 boards in his first seven games, including a 17-rebound effort against North Carolina State.

A stress fracture then developed in his right ankle and rendered him useless for five weeks. He returned with less-sparking numbers, then went to the shelf again with more ankle problems Feb. 23.

Since then, Drummond has played a total of 24 minutes in five games. Cruelly, he broke that same pesky ankle against Siena, an injury completely unrelated to what troubled him all season.

Surgery was performed Tuesday in Philadelphia, and he was unable to make the trip to Detroit because of his recovery.

"I'd definitely rather have him," Villanova coach Jay Wright said. "I want to be honest with that. He'd be very helpful with the size of the Jayhawks.

"But we've played without him during the season before. We've just got to play a little differently."

Cunningham mentioned the possibility of Villanova playing more zone defense, which undoubtedly will have KU's three-point shooters salivating. Either way, the Jayhawks' balance could expose Villanova's size problem on Friday - much like height-challenged Nevada-Las Vegas last week in Omaha, Neb.

Villanova is a guard-strong team led by Scottie Reynolds (16.7 points per game). Cunningham, a junior forward, averages 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and it's a must that he avoid foul trouble against KU.

Not only will Drummond's big body be unavailable, but so will his five fouls, an often-needed token of depth when going against the likes of KU's Darrell Arthur, Darnell Jackson and Sasha Kaun.

"We'd rather have him," Wright said of Drummond. "I don't want to say anything less than that."

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Comments

kushaw (anonymous) says...

I was wondering when the LJW was going to start reporting this. They had a little section on Tuesday, but the story broke on this on Monday. I'm surprised people this week haven't brought this issue up about NOVA. It definitely decreases their depth. He's had issues all year with injuries. I wish the kid well and I"m glad it's one less big man we have to worry about. Small ball for NOVA!

March 27, 2008 at 6:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

soobawls (anonymous) says...

This will not factor into the game at all. We should be VERY worried about this team. They have very strong guards (Remember Rhode Island?) and are from a much better conference. They would have placed 2nd or 3rd in the Big 12. If they are able to stop our big game we will be in bad shape because we won't be able to drive the lane on them like we did against UNLV.

March 27, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mvjayhawk (anonymous) says...

2nd or 3rd in the Big 12? based on what? losses to Rutgers, NC St., Cincinnati and DePaul? Of course, our focus should be on them because it's the NCAA tourney and you NEVER overlook anyone. But to suggest they would have finished as good in the league as we did (technically, we were 2nd), that's not accurate. They are a good team, with a couple of very good players. Like a lot of teams. (K-state comes to mind.) If we play our game, we'll win. pure and simple.

March 27, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

areyouserious (anonymous) says...

Well Said mvjayhawk.......well said. soobawls has always been a naysayer from manhattan............he is still confused as to how KU has won 33 games this year.

March 27, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

digitalkookie (anonymous) says...

the big east is a much better conference?? overrated, overhyped rubbish is what the big east is...

March 27, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk5 (anonymous) says...

soobawls, come see what you've won!!!!!!

suck it, hater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 27, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

My area of concern related to Nova is this...

Darrell Arthur has to forget about that UNLV game and take advantage of this smaller lineup early.

This could (or should) be a game where we shoot less than 10 treys all night.... because even when they sag down low defensively, we should still be able to use them when their frontcourt has 5 less fouls to give. My money is on Self beating the Get-it-into-the-paint horse to death.

March 27, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

tashe2 (anonymous) says...

Keep in mind we beat Depaul by what? 25? Its sad I can't remember, because I was at that game. I'm not saying just because Nova lost to Depaul that we're going to beat them, because we beat Depaul. That just puts it into perspective that they would have not finished 2nd or 3rd in the big 12! Its not like the big 12 and Missouri Valley Conference are the same. The big 12 is rough. We sent SIX(6) teams to the big dance.

If Nova was in the big 12 they would have been like an Oklahoma or K-State.

Who cares though, we're going to pound their face off!!!

Rock chalk Jayhawks

National Champions 2008

March 27, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

feedback71 (anonymous) says...

soobawls,

That comment about 'Nova would have finished 2nd or 3rd in the Big 12 is ludicrous. According to the RPI, the Big East is ranked 5th in the country while the Big 12 is 3rd. Don't sell us short. Big 12 was stacked this year. 'Nova might have finished in the top half of the Big 12, but definitely not 2nd or 3rd. More like 5th or 6th, IMO. Don't get me wrong, I think they are a decent team and are playing well right now. But they are not on an even keel with Kansas as far as talent and depth. We should win this game.

March 27, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BCRavenJHawkfan (anonymous) says...

Officially Nova split with DePaul home and away.

March 27, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawker_97 (anonymous) says...

Don't worry, the 'Hawks will win against Nova one way or the other. we're simply too good for them. there!!
go Jayhawks!!

March 27, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

soobawls (anonymous) says...

Nova guards are as good as ours. While we have better big men and more of them, they just got shut down by UNLV, and if they can do it, Villanova can do it. And, yes, the Big East is better than the big 12.

March 27, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

MILFdestroyer (anonymous) says...

I wish the man well, but frankly they are going to worked anyway

March 27, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawk52 (anonymous) says...

Looks like our small lineup will get plenty of playing time. Having RR, Mario, SC, BR, and either DBlock or Shady on the floor at the same time is a good combo for us.

Also, Stewart may get some opportunity in this game with the smaller lineup.

I'm good with this, and think we'll compete OK.

March 27, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Soobawls... you're leakin so much BS it's not even funny. I really do understand what areyouserious was saying now. You are nothing but a poser.

"Nova guards are as good as ours"

First of all, you can't use the word "ours" when you're not a KU fan. Second of all, when you're spouting off about somebody's guards being as good as ours... keep in mind while you're posing here that this isn't a KSU website. We're not talking about your Wildcat backcourt here.

March 27, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BannerforKirk (anonymous) says...

Reynolds is the only 'Nova guard that would sniff our starting lineup. To say that their guards, top to bottom, are as good as ours is a ridiculous statement. The collective of our guards, plus the way they act in concert as a team, plus our front-court depth, shooting and passing, should get us past 'Nova. Close first half probably, but we'll wear them out before it's done. If not, then 'Nova has played a brilliant game and deserve our congratulations.

March 27, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

The talent-level of 'Novas Gs isn't anywhere near what the 'hawks have already faced this year in conference...Augustin, Abrams, Eaton, Jerrells.

March 27, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

soobawls (anonymous) says...

I can't use the word ours? Are you sure? Because I just used it again. Yep, I just double checked and I can use it. I guess if someone doesn't have coach Self's junk in their face they are a KSU fan now. This from the same halfwits who think that loosing to Bucknell and Bradley is all good.

March 27, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

Well, your comment was pretty dumb, dude.

March 27, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

dagger108 (anonymous) says...

Nice analysis at:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatou...

March 28, 2008 at 1:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )