Reynolds Leads Villanova Past Louisville

It was Big East Basketball at its best.  Ok, maybe not it’s best considering there was a total of 66 fouls and 94 free throws shot.  The game basically when 30 minutes past its scheduled block of time on TV.  It might have been sloppy at times but it was definitely entertaining.  In front of a “white out” crowd at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Rick Pitino sporting a white suit, Jay Wright’s Villanova Wildcats had the “Big East Road Mentality” that he had been preaching.  Lead by senior guard Scottie Reynolds the Cats rallied from a 17 point first half deficit to an impressive 92-84 Big East road win.

If you haven’t watched Louisville before, don’t blink…they like to play fast.  Rick Pitino is known for his up-tempo coaching style and this Louisville team fits the mold.  They run and they like to shoot the three.  (34 attempted tonight)  What they need to do more of score in the paint.  Louisville big man Samardo Samuels had 21 points tonight, but he could have had 41 if Louisville would have looked inside more.   I’m sure it’s something coach Pitino will tell his guards, assuming he wasn’t already.  Louisville plays a full court 1-2-2 press that forces their opponent to play faster than they are comfortable with.  The Cardinals fall back into a 2-3 zone that can really be described as a match-up zone at times.  I expect Louisville to be a NCAA tournament team and could win a game or two depending on the match-up.

Villanova is tough.  I don’t know a better way to describe this team.  You can’t count them out of any contest.  Scottie Reynolds who had 36 points, put his team on his back and made big shot after big shot.  Villanova plays mostly man-to-man defense, clamped down in the second half and forced some turnovers that led to easy baskets.  Villanova went to the Final Four last year, they lost some key players, but I think they have the talent to make another run.  Jay Wright has really done a great job of using his young players off the bench.  Villanova might be a deeper team this year despite being a bit younger.  A long way to go but Villanova has a chance to compete for a #1.

58 teams to go….64 days until Selection Sunday!