Nova Report
The 13-14 Villanova Wildcats are at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio to take on the 16th ranked Xavier Musketeers (20-7) at 6:30 pm eastern. Xavier is -4.5/147.5. When they last played each other on January 7 in Villanova it was the same old Wildcat story. They went cold in the last 3 minutes, Xavier had guys who stepped up (Freemantle had 29 points on 12-17 shooting) and the Musketeers didn’t miss free throws (Boume went 10-10). Final was 88-80 Xavier. It was the most points Nova has given up all season.
Now tonight’s differences. Freemantle is out for Xavier. Moore is playing for Nova; did not on 01/07. And, it’s a road game for Villanova. Xavier will have a short bench with Freemantle out. They’ll need 7 footer Nunge (14.7 ppg) to step up as well as Jerome Hunter (6.8 ppg). They both struggled last time vs. Villanova. Boume (16.2 ppg) and Jones (14.9 ppg) will need to be their consistent selves. Rebounding, as always, will be a focus. For the Wildcats, they continue to shoot up 3’s at a 50% clip and continue to miss them. They really need to play inside the arc and pick up fouls on the Musketeers. Additionally, way too much one on one basketball. They have to move the ball around. Of course, defensively, after giving up 85 to Providence last out, a supreme effort is needed.
What Will Happen
Nova has to take the air out of the ball to slow down Xavier’s offense. Whitmore is a nightmare matchup for the Musketeers and Nova needs to exploit that. He alone could generate a few fouls on Xavier. The Cats will feed Dixon to try to get Nunge to pick up fouls. They’ll still shoot a lot from beyond the arc. Additionally, both Daniels and Moore are bigger and stronger than their counterparts and will take them to the hoop.
Xavier will use their quickness at the guard position to create turnovers and fast breaks. They’ll definitely feed Nunge inside. Defensively, they’ll pack the paint and let Nova shoot from outside. It should be a game in the 70’s, not 80’s like last time.
Not sure who will win but it certainly will be a one possession game at the end.
Nova Pick: Villanova +5 (buying hooker)
Nova Pick Record: 12-14-1