PHILADELPHIA — When Villanova is referred to as a powerful team this season, the meaning could be taken two ways.

The Wildcats (6-0) are strong, as they proved last night in beating Rhode Island, 78-65, at The Palestra in the title game of the Philly Hoop Group Classic.

That is strong, as in being a very good team. But it also is strong as in being physically powerful.

In contrast to recent seasons when the team relied on speed and quickness to win, this year the Wildcats (ranked 23rd in the country) can throw their weight around, too. They pounded URI inside and dominated the offensive glass as they controlled the game almost all the way and scored 36 points in the paint.

Dante Cunningham, the Wildcats’ rugged 6-foot-8 senior forward, led the way with 19 points and 12 rebounds. But he wasn’t alone. Reggie Redding a 6-5 junior, came off the bench and had a double-double, too, with 11 points and 12 boards.

Villanova had 18 offensive boards. That almost matched the 21 defensive rebounds URI had. Villanova coach Jay Wright pointed to that stat as a key.

“It was really big. If you look at it, they shot 41 percent. We only shot 40 percent,” he noted. “If we don’t make up for that on the glass, we’re in trouble.”

“It’s huge having an inside presence like that. It just opens everything up for you,” Wright said. “It’s something we haven’t had.”

URI coach Jim Baron agreed that his team was beaten inside.

“You could probably make a call every single time down the floor if you want to, just because of the physicalness of the game,” Baron said. “We have to keep working to get better. They stepped up and made their shots. They had five guys in double figures and they rebounded the basketball. That’s something I’ve been harping on all season.

“Eighteen offensive rebounds means they’re getting second and third shots,” he added. “When you do that against good teams, it’s going to catch up to you. And it did.”

The power inside did added damage in that it got URI’s two inside players, Kahiem Seawright and Delroy James, in foul trouble and limited both. Baron became so frustrated that he drew a technical foul in the second half after a Villanova player went over Jimmy Baron’s back for an offensive rebound. Baron felt a foul should have been called and told official Brian O’Connell so. O’Connell whistled him for the tech.

The Wildcat strength also showed on defense as they slowed down Rhode Island’s running attack. They slowed down everyone except Jimmy Baron, who led URI with 23 points and drew huge praise from Wright.

“He is so impressive,” Wright said. “We’ve played some great shooters. That kid is incredible.”

When Jimmy Baron had a 3-pointer from near midcourt at the halftime buzzer rattle in and out, Wright and Baron got into a bit of a discussion as the teams left the court. Baron said it was a bit emotional as he felt he was fouled and wanted a call.

“We’ve known each other for four or five years. I talked to him a lot. It was just something that happened in the heat of the battle,” Baron said.

Villanova wasted no time using its strength. It had 11 offensive rebounds in the first half alone and dominated play off the boards. If teams kept time of possession the way they do in the NFL, Villanova would have had a huge advantage. Several times the ball stayed at the Wildcats offensive end for a minute at a time as the team would miss a shot, get the rebound, miss again and then rebound again.

When Cunningham hit a free throw with 13:03 left in the first half, it put Villanova on top, 18-8. It marked the first time all season Rhode Island has been down by double digits.

URI responded by going to a bigger lineup. Jason Francis came in, with Seawright moving to the four spot. Later, Will Martell came on. They helped a bit, but Villanova still hurt the Rams off the offensive glass.

When Rhode Island did get scoring chances, it relied on Jimmy Baron, and Baron kept his team within hailing distance. He had 16 first-half points.

The Wilcats led, 40-33, at the half and got their lead as high as 16 with 11 minutes left. URI got as close as nine, at 63-54, and got the ball back, but had a turnover that turned into a 3-pointer by Redding at the other end and the Wildcats had it pretty much locked up.

Baron and Keith Cothran made the all-tournament team for URI.

pkenyon@projo.com