Villanova-Clemson: Can the 'Cats Out-Gun the Tigers Friday Night?

Underdog; 

1. One that is expected to lose a contest or struggle, as in sports or politics.

2. One that is at a disadvantage.

Underdog is a term that has been associated with Villanova Wildcats basketball all season long. Undersized, younger, and immature, are among other adjectives that have been used to describe the 'Cats. 

All of those words mean nothing come Friday night at 9:50 EST because it's tournament time and nothing else matters. All the questions regarding Villanova and their questionable bid into the tournament, the talk about Clemson and how they've come so close to beating North Carolina three times this season, none of it counts anymore.Each team has to be prepared to play 40 minutes of all out hustle. 

But can Villanova pull off an upset against the deeper, bigger, and flashier Clemson Tigers?

Honestly, I think they can.

All year long, Clemson has been able to beat teams that have weaker guards than they do. Cliff Hammonds, K.C. Rivers, and freshmen Terrence Oglesby, and Demontez Stitt, all are part of one of the best shooting, and quickest backcourts in the nation. All four can either shoot the three or take their man off the dribble. But teams that have broken their press and shot better than them, have been able to beat the Tigers (North Carolina, Duke, Georgia Tech). 

And Villanova will be able to do the same. With the speed and ball reversal ability of guards Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher, the Wildcats should have no problem breaking the press and scoring in transition. Both Reynolds and Fisher can each defend too, which will make it more difficult for Clemson's guards. And don't count out Reynolds' ability to shoot the basketball from behind the arc.

If Villanova can break the press of Clemson, and Reynolds can come up big from three-point range, it won't matter how much Villanova gets dominated down low and on the boards.

 
Final Score Prediction: Villanova 68 Clemson 62