one play tonight.
villanova (-2.5) 3 units. i have (over)analyzed last year's match-ups between these two teams, as most of the key players are the same. in the first match-up, at BC, the eagles outscored 'nova 21-4 from the FT line in a 1-point victory. dudley was ridiculous, scoring 36 points. the rest of the team was 10-34 from the floor, for 31 points. less than impressive. smith was their only other DD scorer, with 12 & 7 rebounds. foye for 'nova also had 7 rebounds (to go along with 22 points). the wildcats shot 51% from the floor and outrebounded the eagles 29-24.
well, i think jay wright noticed the disparity in FT #'s, because in the second match-up, in philly, 'nova outscored BC from the line 36-17 in a 6-point win. while BC had almost the same # of attempts as the first game, 'nova went from 7 attempts to 41. FORTY ONE FREE THROW ATTEMPTS!!! jay wright is not stupid. i have to believe once again he will emphasize aggressive basketball, and getting to the rim. lowry should have a big game, getting to the line and creating opportunities for his teammates.
the one major change in personnel is the absence of sumpter. he was a non-factor in the game at BC, but had 20 & 8 in the 'nova win. sheridan has done a great job in his absence this year, and frasor and cunningham have filled in nicely. when 'nova is on their game, they do a great job of neutralizing the opposing team's big man.
i expect villanova to come out and play very aggressively, which should help them overcome any early-game jitters and get them out in front. my biggest concern is their tendancy to rely on the 3-pointers, which often allows the other team back in the game. if they can stay focused on getting to the rim tonight, i expect a solid victory from the wildcats.
if i spent all that time typing up that write-up, and they lose, i'm gonna be pissed.
villanova (-2.5) 3 units. i have (over)analyzed last year's match-ups between these two teams, as most of the key players are the same. in the first match-up, at BC, the eagles outscored 'nova 21-4 from the FT line in a 1-point victory. dudley was ridiculous, scoring 36 points. the rest of the team was 10-34 from the floor, for 31 points. less than impressive. smith was their only other DD scorer, with 12 & 7 rebounds. foye for 'nova also had 7 rebounds (to go along with 22 points). the wildcats shot 51% from the floor and outrebounded the eagles 29-24.
well, i think jay wright noticed the disparity in FT #'s, because in the second match-up, in philly, 'nova outscored BC from the line 36-17 in a 6-point win. while BC had almost the same # of attempts as the first game, 'nova went from 7 attempts to 41. FORTY ONE FREE THROW ATTEMPTS!!! jay wright is not stupid. i have to believe once again he will emphasize aggressive basketball, and getting to the rim. lowry should have a big game, getting to the line and creating opportunities for his teammates.
the one major change in personnel is the absence of sumpter. he was a non-factor in the game at BC, but had 20 & 8 in the 'nova win. sheridan has done a great job in his absence this year, and frasor and cunningham have filled in nicely. when 'nova is on their game, they do a great job of neutralizing the opposing team's big man.
i expect villanova to come out and play very aggressively, which should help them overcome any early-game jitters and get them out in front. my biggest concern is their tendancy to rely on the 3-pointers, which often allows the other team back in the game. if they can stay focused on getting to the rim tonight, i expect a solid victory from the wildcats.
if i spent all that time typing up that write-up, and they lose, i'm gonna be pissed.
