Big Monday Hoops: What to Watch as Villanova Goes to West Virginia

Other than the gratuitous “duck!!” advice I’d offer the Villanova coaching staff during timeouts, here are some of my thoughts about tonight’s Big East headliner.

Villanova is a guard-centric team that is overly reliant on guard production, not the least of which comes from perimeter shooting. But remember, this will be the Wildcats’ third game in six days and they’re coming off a fast tempo road game at Georgetown two nights ago.

Don’t be surprised if the ‘Nova shooters suffer from tired legs, leaving them short on some of their jumpers.

On defense, it’s important that Antonio Pena stay out of foul trouble because he’s the only player ‘Nova has with the size and athleticism to guard Devin Ebanks. If he gets in foul trouble early as he did against the Hoyas, the Cats are in big trouble. The good news is that after only playing 11 minutes at G-town, he should be rested.

If I’m West Virginia coach Bob Huggins, I might stay with my zone longer than usual to try to manage the perimeter matchup challenges that the Wildcats pose to most opponents. Unlike most schools, West Virginia has the size and athleticism to bother the Villanova shooters and still be an effective rebounding team out of the zone. The effectiveness of the zone allows WVA to dictate its own matchup advantages on the other end.

The most important player on the floor for both teams may be West Virginia point guard Darryl Bryant. If he can manage the game and take care of the basketball, the ‘Neers can impose their will on the undersized Wildcats. If he turns it over, it gives the ‘Cats more possessions to counter WVA’s advantage on the glass.

Finally, watch out for the Villanova press this game in an attempt to make WVA play all 94 feet, hopefully resulting in turnovers by Darryl Brant and company. Full court pressure, whether it is token or quick pressure, helps to take away from the frontcourt advantage WVA enjoys in this game and accentuates the backcourt advantage the ‘Cats have.

Does Villanova have the energy and depth to press and run like they’ll need to considering this is their third game in six days?

We’ll find out.

It should be a mammoth Big East tilt on Big Monday with a number one seed on the line for both clubs.

This article was written by Kevin Berger of March To March

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @MarchToMarch