Nova Report
The 10-12 Villanova Wildcats are in Omaha, Nebraska to take on the 14-8 Creighton BlueJays. Tip is 7:30 eastern. BlueJays are-10.5/136.5. Creighton started the year winning its first six then Ryan Kalkbrenner their offensive and defensive star went out with Mono. They lost every game he was out. Since then, statistically, Creighton would be ranked #2 in the country based on offensive and defensive efficiency. Kalkbrenner scores 15.2 ppg and is complemented by Scheuerman their 3 point assassin at 13.4 ppg. Nembhard runs the show and is effective at driving to the hoop and hitting mid range jumpers. Kaluma seems to score whenever the BlueJays need a hoop. Their bench is thin with just two players logging in around 5-7 minutes a game.
The BlueJays hate Villanova and even if the Cats were 0-22, they would want to crush them. BUT, Nova is desperate for a win and have other thoughts. Last out the Cats turned the ball over more than any other game. They had 3 starters sit for over 12 minutes in the first half due to foul trouble and Justin Moore was still trying to get the rust off after not playing for nearly a year. Nonetheless, they took Marquette down to the last minute before intentional fouls made by Villanova and converted by Marquette stretched the final result to a 9 point loss.
What Will Happen
It makes sense that this will be a rough and tumble defensive game. Creighton has improved more so defensively than offensively. Nova can’t let them run on them and needs to shorten the game to have a chance. The Cats absolutely need to get fouls on a Creighton starter or two. Dixon will have a tough time with the taller Kalkbrenner. They will need to guard the kick outs to the BlueJays’ shooters. Needless to say, they can’t turn the ball over like last game. The Cats have been in every game they’ve played even in hostile environments like this. It will be a game of runs. Still, it’s likely to be a 1 or 2 possession game with 2 minutes to go. It should go down to the wire.
Nova Pick: Nova+11 (buying hooker)
Nova Pick Record: 9-13