In the second of three tune-ups for Rome, the Wildcats defeated the Patriots 84-67 at the Finneran Pavilion on Saturday afternoon. The game was not televised (get it together), but those in attendance got to witness Devin Royal on the home floor for the first time. The former Ohio State Buckeye once again led the team in scoring, tallying 25 points and 8 rebounds on 8/14 from the floor. Through two exhibition outings, Royal is averaging 22.5 points and 9 rebounds per contest on 59.3% from the floor. The 6’6” forward has also attempted 15 free throws combined in those games, making 11 of them. He will be a force for the Wildcats this year.
Villanova had three other players in double figures, with Tyler Perkins scoring 20, Adam Oumiddoch scoring 12 and Darryl Simmons II scoring 10. Simmons II and Jake Fiegen replaced Oumiddoch and Elijah Crawford in the lineup today after their performances in the first game against Rutgers. Simmons was 4/11 from the floor, but Fiegen struggled and went 1/9 from the field (1/8 from three). The aforementioned Oumiddoch was an efficient 4/8 shooting, while also contributing five rebounds and two assists in just over 20 minutes played. Crawford did not light up the scoreboard, scoring four points on 2/5 from the floor, but he did dish out six assists with only one turnover. That will be a recipe for success for him this upcoming season.
Kwame Evans Jr. sat out once again with his left leg injury and remains “day-to-day.” The expectation should be that he’s good to go on November 1, but it would be nice to see him in action this upcoming Thursday against Virginia. Matt Hodge also sat again due to his ACL surgery recovery.