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Normally when Villanova plays at the Wachovia Center, the team doesn’t have to worry about fans cheering for the opposition.
Come Saturday afternoon, Syracuse supporters will likely steal some of that Wildcat thunder thanks to the South Philly homecoming of Orange rookies Antonio "Scoop" Jardine and Rick Jackson. Among those confirmed to be in the stands are Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball coach Carl Arrigale and the entire Saints basketball team. Ironically, the South Philly squad is playing Gonzaga of Maryland Saturday night at Villanova.
"It will be nice to see them play in person," Arrigale said of his two former First Team All-Catholic standouts. "We are excited about it."
Jackson is equally excited about coming home, a place he hasn’t been since his brief two-day visit over Christmas.
"I am looking forward to it a lot," he said Monday afternoon via phone.
Jardine, who started 10-straight games for the Orange at guard, is questionable after being suspended indefinitely for "violation of school policy." For privacy reasons, the university is not releasing any details.
Arrigale said he is still looking forward to the game, even if Jardine remains sidelined.
"Rick is still there and he is going to play," the coach said. "Hopefully, whatever it was that [Jardine] did, he can get it squared away and have his homecoming."
Arrigale said he still talks to both players regularly — and that includes the occasional pep talk. Between practice, games and sharing their living space, the two good friends are usually seen hanging out together.
"Scoop is good as a roommate as we like to do the same things," Jackson said.
Of the two, Jardine was getting more significant playing time. Since replacing junior teammate Eric Devendorf, who went down with a torn ACL in mid-December, the guard was making steady contributions of 7.3 points and 3.7 assists a game.
Jackson has played in all 21 games in a reserve role, averaging 13.7 minutes a night. The freshman said he isn’t bothered by the limited action as he knew he wouldn’t be starting. The 6-foot-9 forward did say his game has improved since leaving 10th and Moore streets.
"Syracuse has been a great experience. It has helped me a lot on my game," Jackson said, noting in college court action is more physical and faster paced. "I think I got a lot better and stronger since high school."
During their high school days, Jardine and Jackson played in three Catholic League championship games, winning two in 2005 and ’06. In college, Syracuse could make a serious run at a national title should everyone stay in upstate New York rather than opting out early for the NBA.
The duo comes with international experience as they represented the United States in the 2006 Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany. The forward led the team in scoring (17.6), rebounding (9.6) and blocked shots (1.5) per game. Jardine averaged 13.3 points in the same event. Classmates Jonny Flynn (Niagara Falls) and Donte’ Green (Towson Catholic) were members of the USA Basketball under-19 team that won a silver medal at the ’07 World Championships.
It also means Arrigale will spend a lot of hours by the television watching Syracuse games. Earlier this month, the coach had the rare treat of seeing Rutgers University freshman Earl Pettis (’06), who attended a year of prep school, face Jackson and Jardine on ESPN. Syracuse won, 81-59.
No matter which of his former players are on the court, the coach doesn’t pick sides. "I just hope they all play well and [I] don’t really care who wins," he said.
In the Jan. 16 meeting, Jackson chipped in nine points, five rebounds and a block, while Jardine was held scoreless, but contributed six rebounds and seven assists. Pettis had five points and two assists for Rutgers.
Arrigale keeps a close eye on the St. Joe’s Hawks as D.J. Rivera (’06) is a sophomore guard, and St. Francis College in New York, where sophomore David Burton (’05) plays. Come next year, current senior Jamal Wilson joins the Division I gang at Rhode Island University.
Pretty soon, Arrigale might need to invest in the college basketball cable package to keep tabs on all his former athletes. At least this weekend, all it takes is a quick ride down Broad Street.
For Jackson, it’s all about making a strong showing in his Wachovia Center debut.
"This will be my first taste of it," he said of playing in the home of the Sixers and Flyers. "It’s great to be at home playing in my favorite city. I just want to have fun with it."
