Creature vs Conference: Why Villanova Will Win The Big East

Out of the nine Big East squads widely projected to make the tournament, the Villanova Wildcats might be the most under the radar. There is no surefire NBA player on the roster. There are no new recruits or transfers eligible to play this year.
But that brings continuity. The entire team is back from last year except Malcolm Grant, and that means the team should know how to play with each other by this point.

However, just because the same players are back, doesn’t mean that the team has an identity yet offensively.

Defensively, Wright has stressed constant intensity, switching, and getting into passing lanes, trying to force turnovers. His message has definitely hit home this year, as Villanova is ranked 21st in the nation defensively, according to Ken Pomeroy.

Other than lack of size, the other concern for the Wildcats is a lack of offensive identity. For the last three years, Wright’s team has been prone to long stretches offensively without scoring, and until one of the highly touted sophomores steps up, that problem may continue.

Still, there is a lot of talent on the Main Line, and with arguably the most talent in the nation coming into the program next year, the future is in good hands. But at 13-3 (1-2), there is a lot of season left to be played, and Villanova expects to be among the Big East’s tournament teams this year.

Winning the entire conference will prove extraordinarily difficult given the Big East’s unmatched talent and depth. But here are four reasons why Villanova will contend and have a chance to finish near the top of the best conference in the history of college basketball.

Improved play in the middle

In today’s college basketball world, it’s not necessary to have an elite big man. But the Big East, it’s almost imperative. In an era of players like Luke Harangody, Hasheem Thabeet, DeJuan Blair, and Samardo Samuels, it’s no surprise people ignore the ‘Cats, whose tallest eligible player is 6’8”.

But very quietly, Villanova has developed a star big man in their own right, and his improved play gives Wright’s squad an element it hasn’t had in years.

Dante Cunningham is continuing a long Villanova tradition of players having big senior seasons. His stats are up across the board this season, and he has established himself as a man among men in the toughest conference in basketball.

He’s developed a crisp mid-range jumpshot which has made him deadly off screens. His athleticism has always been there, but now that he’s combined his quickness with a consistent jumper, he’s been much harder to stop.

Extremely active down low, it’s no surprise seeing him fight for loose balls, out-quick slower players for rebounds, or frustrate opposing players with fundamentally sound defense.

However, he is of no help to the team if he is in foul trouble. Cunningham is still the team’s only reliable inside player. The depth is comprised of undersized forwards who get exposed without Cunningham’s presence to take pressure off of them.

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