Villanova In The NCAAs: Strengths and Pitfalls

The last third of the Big East season also yielded a 5-1 record, giving them a 10-2 record in the Big East for their last dozen games.  Their scoring margin for the last six games was about the same as the second six league games, a positive 7.83 points per game.

However, the key to the last six games was that they averaged a cool 78.8 points per game on offense and held their defense of Big East teams to 71.0 points per game.

So, Villanova is going into the Big East tournament with all eight pistons firing.  They have stabilized Jay Wright's game plan.  They would have little excuse were they to lose to Marquette in the Garden tomorrow, especially with Domenic James out.

However, let's go back to the matter of team size raised at the outset.  They are a slightly larger than average sized Division one club, with a smallish frontcourt and a large and physical backcourt. 

Villanova is peaking, but up front Dante Cunningham and Antonio Pena have been foul-prone.  I worry when they play really big teams.  A few numbers to consider:

Villanova's average height is 77.1 inches.  Connecticut's is 78.2 inches, a big club.  Florida State averages 78.9 inches.  Memphis is 78.7 inches.  Wake Forest is 78.3 inches and West Virginia is 78.5 inches.  Villanova lost to West Virginia by 11 points, albeit on the road. 

These are all pretty much Eastern teams, and I am hopeful that Villanova will be about a three seed and remain in the Eastern region.  I worry about big frontcourts but am very optimistic that 'Nova's seniors, juniors, and sophomores have all gelled into a very effective machine.  Jay Wright keeps doing that.    

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