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Villanova Basketball Opens Tonight Vs NYIT

The Villanova Wildcats open up their basketball season against NYIT tonight.

By Matthew Roth
VILLANOVA PA - FEBRUARY 12: Russell Wooten #12 of the Villanova Wildcats pumps up the team before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at The Pavilion on February 12 2011 in Villanova Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA PA - FEBRUARY 12: Russell Wooten #12 of the Villanova Wildcats pumps up the team before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at The Pavilion on February 12 2011 in Villanova Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
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"I like it better the other way. I definitely like it when I'm sitting here knowing I've got a team that's highly regarded, respected, maybe feared a little bit. I like that better." - Coach Jay Wright, in the Philadelphia Daily News, talking at Big East Media Day.    

The Villanova Wildcats are back with their opener against NYIT. The team has made some major line up improvements adding Tyrone Johnson who should be a part of the backcourt rotation. They'll also have JayVaughn Pinkston, who was suspended by the university last year for a code of conduct violation. Pinkston was expected to be a major part of the team last year and should be a key player for the Wildcats this upcoming season. Maalik Wayns returns as well and he's expected to contend for the Wooden award this year. 

Tonight against NYIT will be the first opportunity to see how the team has meshed. With there being big expectations set on Pinkston and Wayns, it will be a game to see how well they play together. Pinkston will need to adjust his game to compete at the college level while Wayns will need to find a way to feed the ball to the 6'7" forward. There still hasn't been a line up set but even if there is, it is very possible that it won't be the same as it will be in March. The only sure bets are Wayns and Mouphtaou Yarou.