Villanova Wildcats
Big East (28-4, 16-2)
Villanova quickly established themselves as the team to beat in the new look Big East. Their lone non-conference loss came at Syracuse and besides not being able to find a way to stop the outside shooting of Creighton, the Wildcats looked good all season long.
Big Wins: 11/29 vs Kansas (63-59), 11/30 vs Iowa (88-83), 12/7 at St. Joseph’s (98-68)
Bad Losses: 1/20 Creighton (68-96), 2/16 at Creighton (80-101), 3/13 vs Seton Hall (63-64)
Coach: Jay Wright (13 seasons at Villanova)
Why They Can Surprise:
The high scoring Wildcats have four players who averaged at least 9.9 points per game. James Bell, Darrun Hilliard and Ryan Arcidiacono are all dangerous scorers who can have big time outings when their shot is falling. Bell, a 6-6 senior, is the most dynamic scorer. He will use his size and speed to attack the basket with ease. Hilliard is also 6-6 and that size on the perimeter is extremely tough to defend. The size on the inside is not bad either. JayVaughn Pinkston averages 14.2 points per game and opens up space for all of the shooters and slashers.
Why They Can Disappoint:
On paper the only thing this group is particularly bad at is allowing too many three-pointers. Creighton certainly showed the world how to beat Villanova handily. But not every team can shoot like the Bluejays. The Big East may not be the toughest conference out there anymore, but Villanova played a tough enough schedule to be ready for anything the NCAA Tournament can throw at them. Pinkston will be very important for Coach Jay Wright throughout March. He must be able to attract attention from the defense in the paint in order to create space for the shooters. When the Wildcats run into a defensive stopper in the paint, it could spell the end for Villanova’s NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Ryan Arcidiacono, Sophomore, Guard, 9.9 ppg, 3.4 apg
Darrun Hilliard, Junior, Guard, 14.3 ppg, 2.8 apg
James Bell, Senior, Guard, 14.5 ppg, 1.7 apg, 6.1 rpg
JayVaughn Pinkston, Junior, Forward, 14.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Daniel Ochefu, Sophomore, Forward, 5.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Tony Chennault, Senior, Guard, 2.8 ppg, 1.9 apg
Dylan Ennis, Sophomore, Guard, 5.3 ppg, 1.7 apg
Josh Hart, Freshman, Guard, 7.9 ppg
Kris Jenkins, Freshman, Forward, 3.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 79.0 (26th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.7 (86, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.2 (77, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.6 (45, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.2 (5, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.4 (85, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.6 (110, 5)
Rebound Margin: 3.8 (57, 2)
Assists Per Game: 15.8 (18, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.0 (136, 7)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Second Round loss to North Carolina
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to George Mason
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Robert Morris
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to St. Mary's
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over American University
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over UCLA
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Duke
2009 NCAA Regional Final win over Pittsburgh
2009 NCAA National Semifinal loss to North Carolina
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Clemson
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Siena
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Kansas
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Kentucky
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
