La Salle and Villanova will add another chapter to their Big 5 rivalry on Tuesday, Nov. 10, when the teams meet at Finneran Pavilion at 7 p.m. on TruTV.
Both teams enter the game at 1-1, making this an early-season local test for two Philadelphia-area programs that have already played twice this season. The matchup puts the Main Line spotlight on a rivalry that always carries extra weight, even this early in the schedule.
What La Salle has shown so far
La Salle's opening games have offered a mixed but useful early look at the roster. The Explorers opened with an 82-72 win against Bucknell on Dec. 6, 2022, a game in which they recorded 22 assists. They followed that with an 88-80 home win against LIU on Saturday, using a 10-0 second-half run to pull away.
There were also reminders that this team still has room to sharpen its execution. In the LIU win, La Salle turned the ball over 17 times while also producing 14 steals, showing both the pressure it can apply and the mistakes it still needs to clean up.
As a team, La Salle is averaging 71.5 points per game, 35.5 rebounds per game and 16.0 assists per game while shooting 35.0% from the field and 70.6% at the free-throw line. The defense has also created some disruption, with the Explorers averaging 10.0 steals per game and 3.5 blocks per game.
Kam Burton has led the way early
Senior guard Kam Burton has been one of the early bright spots for La Salle. He leads the team with 20 3-point attempts and is averaging 13.0 points per game. Burton's shot volume has given La Salle a steady perimeter option, and his scoring has helped balance an offense that is still finding its rhythm.
Other early contributors include Anthony Finkley, who is averaging 12.5 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 35.0% from 3-point range. Rob Dockery has also been productive with 2.0 steals per game, and Devin Booker has shot 57.1% from the field while averaging 18 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in one of the team's best all-around individual outings.
Bowyn Beatty and Noah Collier have added depth as well, giving La Salle more options as it heads into one of the most visible games on its early schedule. With both teams at 1-1, Tuesday's game is less about long-term standings and more about an immediate measuring-stick result. For La Salle, it is another chance to prove it can carry over the better parts of its first two games against a Villanova team that will be fully aware of the rivalry context.
