VILLANOVA — Jay Wright essentially has an unwanted, extra 34.6 minutes per game that versatile junior guard Justin Moore averaged this season at his disposal in Saturday night’s Final Four game against Kansas (6:09).
Wright could start junior point guard Chris Arcidiacono, which is what he did in the Wildcats’ Big East Tournament game and three NCAA contests last season after star Collin Gillespie tore the MCL in his left knee. Junior guard Bryan Antoine and freshman forward Trey Patterson could also see their playing time increase — those two and Arcidiacono are averaging fewer than 10 minutes this year — in the wake of Moore tearing his right Achilles tendon late in the Elite Eight victory over Houston. Freshman guard Jordan Longino from Germantown Academy would’ve been in the mix if he hadn’t undergone arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus he suffered during a March 16 practice.
Another player whose role is likely to increase is redshirt sophomore center Eric Dixon. While Dixon is already a starter, he’s averaging the sixth-most minutes in what is primarily a six-man rotation. Other starters Gillespie, Moore, senior forward Brandon Slater, grad student forward Jermaine Samuels and sixth man Daniels, a redshirt senior, are getting more than Dixon’s 25.1 minutes a night.
The 6-foot-8, 255-pound Dixon has been solid for the 30-7 Wildcats. He’s averaging 9.1 points, 6.4 rebounds (just behind Samuels). He leads the team in offensive boards (3.2), field goal percentage (.504) and 3-point percentage (.515), though he’s attempted less than one 3-ball per game. Villanova is 14-3 when he scores in double figures, having won the last nine times it’s happened. Plus, he’s done well facing bigger centers almost every game by counting on his strength, mobility and toughness.
Slater believes Dixon is ready for an expanded role Saturday in New Orleans.
“There’s been games where Eric Dixon has totally dominated and changed the whole feel for us,” Slater said. “He works his tail off every single day to make sure he’s conditioned for any and every situation. I have the utmost confidence in Eric Dixon and his abilities. I know the rest of our teammates and our coaches do, too.”
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Dixon would welcome the opportunity on the biggest stage in college basketball.
“I think it’s going to be important for me to do what I always do — just be there for my teammates for longer periods of time,” said Dixon during Tuesday’s in-person media availability. “That’s one of the things I’ve always worked for my whole career — to be able to play for a longer period of time with good energy and stamina. It’ll be a good chance to prove to myself and my teammates that I can do that for them. The rest will take care of itself.”
The way Dixon views the situation, his biggest adjustment to handling more minutes doesn’t figure to be a physical one.
“It’s the same approach (as before),” Dixon said. “A lot of it is mental. I’ve just got to be stronger mentally. I’ve got to be tough, mentally — that’s the biggest difference.”
In other words, he cannot afford to commit over-the-back and other fouls by being overly aggressive because it could limit his availability with the Wildcats being shorthanded and so much at stake.
“We want to get Eric Dixon more minutes,” Wright said. “It’s just that Caleb’s playing well (and) Justin’s playing well. I think more minutes for Eric is great.”
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The 2018-19 PIAA Class 6A Player of the Year as a senior at Abington High School, Dixon propelled the Ghosts to consecutive District One championships.
Dixon redshirted during his first season at ‘Nova and worked on improving his conditioning and diet. He averaged the ninth-most minutes (8.2) last year while appearing in 21 of 37 games. He’s started all 37 outings this season.
In addition to his on-court skills, Dixon’s decision-making and understanding of the game are two more of his positive attributes.
“If you compare Eric’s (basketball) IQ to 5-men across the country, I think it’s very high,” Wright said. “I think that’s helped.”
As for Arcidiacono, the Neshaminy graduate is averaging 1.6 points, 9.6 minutes and shooting .265 on 3-pointers in 34 games. He’s also hit 22 of 24 free throws (.917) for a team with the nation’s best percentage from the line (.830).
“We’re going to definitely need him as an extra ball-handler,” Wright said. “‘Arch’ gives us the ability to get Collin off the ball. … He’s tough and physical, defensively, and he’s a great shooter. It’s hard to be a great shooter when you come in for a minute, 10 seconds at a time, then out, in, out. When you’re on the floor longer, it can help.”
Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes; @TomMoorePhilly
