Villanova ends non-conference play on a four-game winning streak with win over FDU | Villanova vs. FDU Recap

VILLANOVA, PA—In Villanova’s penultimate home game before Christmas, the Wildcats gifted their fans with a 14-point win over Fairleigh Dickinson.

Villanova defeated FDU, 86-72, on Wednesday evening at the Finneran Pavilion. The Wildcats converted 55% of their field goal attempts. They dominated the paint battle, 38-20. Eric Dixon scored 27 points in 32 minutes.

Villanova battled FDU on Wednesday evening at the Finneran Pavilion.

Dixon’s Chase to lead the nation in scoring

After his 27-point performance, Dixon continues to approach the top spot in scoring in the nation. He currently ranks second in the country, scoring 25.8 points per contest, only behind Green Bay’s Anthony Roy.

Dixon was asked if he thinks about the chance to lead the country in scoring in his postgame press conference.

“That’s not something that I really think about,” Dixon said.

Poplar’s Strong Three-Game Stretch

Wooga Poplar scored 19 points for the Wildcats. Poplar has scored 49 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in his last three games.

Poplar discussed his early-season struggles before this three-game stretch after the win against FDU.

“Just my teammates telling me to keep going,” Poplar said. “As you know, I’m considered as a shooter, and it wasn’t falling early for me, but my teammates gave me that confidence.”

Poplar stayed for around 45 minutes after the game, working on his shot, especially from behind the arc, in an empty Finneran Pavilion.

Jhamir Brickus, a graduate transfer from La Salle, finished the game with a double-double. He had 10 points and 10 assists against the Knights.

Villanova’s Three-Point Struggles

Although they converted over 50% of their field-goal attempts, the Wildcats only made 29% of their three-point attempts after a historic day from behind the arc on Saturday against Temple. The Wildcats knocked down 19 threes against the Owls, which tied the team-high for a game.

Despite their three-point struggles on Wednesday, the Wildcats won the rebounding battle, 38-21. Villanova also moved the ball efficiently against FDU with 19 assists.

The Wildcats’ Defense + Brown’s 27 Points for FDU

Villanova did allow over 70 points to Fairleigh Dickinson. However, the Wildcats’ defense did a solid job at limiting large scoring runs from the Knights, who averaged about 80 points per contest entering the game.

Terrence Brown, FDU’s leading scorer with almost 22 points per game, scored 27 points against Villanova. Jo’el Emanuel, a junior from Suffern, NY, accumulated 14 points and four rebounds. The Knights converted 43% of their field-goal attempts and 38% of their shots from behind the arc.

Next up….Conference Play + Coach Neptune’s Thoughts

The Wildcats ended their non-conference schedule with a 7-4 record. They won four consecutive games and five of their last six.

Villanova’s head coach, Kyle Neptune, stressed that the Wildcats still must improve as they enter conference play.

“I feel like we’re a team that has to get a lot better,” Neptune said. “This is the time of the year where teams are either going to rapidly improve and come together as a program or someone else will be. We got to be the type of team that has a growth mindset and come in everyday and try to improve.”

WXVU’s Coverage of Villanova vs. Seton Hall

Villanova will begin conference play on Tuesday against Seton Hall at the Finn. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30pm. WXVU’s Pregame Show starts at 7pm.