Well, the first really big game is almost here, so where are we? Thoughts:
1) Any game where you fly 5000 miles to play in paradise in an atypical arena and environment the possibility of a non representative result exists. However, it will be both fun and possibly very indicative of the team's actual level playing against a legitimate top 10 team whose guards actually match up with us...bring it on...
2) As of this time I am not sure how good this team is. I know it is legit top 20 and Big East favorite but can it reach a Final Four and beyond....let alone get past that second game in the Dance?
3) The defense has been surprisingly good....well past expectations....Bridges length at the top of the press has replaced Hilliard in that regard....everyone else seems to have improved......the defense can be even better as the players get used to communicating with one another...the 30 second clock has made the soft press and expended half court pressure better than expected....the question is whether we will miss Ennis and Hilliard against Buddy Hield, Malcolm Brogdon or Kris Dunn?
4) The potential achilles heel is defensive rebounding. I fear that this will cost Villanova a few games if not improved. UVA and Georgetown particularly concern me in this aspect.....as does any number of potential NCAA opponents...
5) The offense has generally looked good.....it should get better as the shooting and ball movement has improved in both the last two years in February....I expect this to happen again....I expect Brunson to get better and begin attacking the rim more often....
6) The biggest concern here is lack of FT attempts.....that was a staple of the team the past three years....part of the issue to date is that over 7 games the opponent has NEVER been close enough in the last two minutes to start fouling. That will no doubt change...(I don't believe this has ever happened before...seven games without anything close enough to give a foul.) This (along with defensive rebounding) is where the graduation of Pinkston has had an effect.....JVP may have missed his share of bunnies or been blocked but he always knew how to draw fouls....Brunson seems like the only guy that will have that skill on this team (although Booth could too).
7) Ochefu remains the X factor....he needs to be more consistent and needs to stay on the floor....he probably will struggle offensively against certain matchups but his defensive presence is a necessity. He must avoid almost all fouls on the offensive end...backing down his man, rebounding, moving screens.....
8) I am not sure where this is headed but I love this team.....(if only Paschall was eligible)....this team is very good but can they become great? Tomorrow may give us a glimpse...or not!
1) Any game where you fly 5000 miles to play in paradise in an atypical arena and environment the possibility of a non representative result exists. However, it will be both fun and possibly very indicative of the team's actual level playing against a legitimate top 10 team whose guards actually match up with us...bring it on...
2) As of this time I am not sure how good this team is. I know it is legit top 20 and Big East favorite but can it reach a Final Four and beyond....let alone get past that second game in the Dance?
3) The defense has been surprisingly good....well past expectations....Bridges length at the top of the press has replaced Hilliard in that regard....everyone else seems to have improved......the defense can be even better as the players get used to communicating with one another...the 30 second clock has made the soft press and expended half court pressure better than expected....the question is whether we will miss Ennis and Hilliard against Buddy Hield, Malcolm Brogdon or Kris Dunn?
4) The potential achilles heel is defensive rebounding. I fear that this will cost Villanova a few games if not improved. UVA and Georgetown particularly concern me in this aspect.....as does any number of potential NCAA opponents...
5) The offense has generally looked good.....it should get better as the shooting and ball movement has improved in both the last two years in February....I expect this to happen again....I expect Brunson to get better and begin attacking the rim more often....
6) The biggest concern here is lack of FT attempts.....that was a staple of the team the past three years....part of the issue to date is that over 7 games the opponent has NEVER been close enough in the last two minutes to start fouling. That will no doubt change...(I don't believe this has ever happened before...seven games without anything close enough to give a foul.) This (along with defensive rebounding) is where the graduation of Pinkston has had an effect.....JVP may have missed his share of bunnies or been blocked but he always knew how to draw fouls....Brunson seems like the only guy that will have that skill on this team (although Booth could too).
7) Ochefu remains the X factor....he needs to be more consistent and needs to stay on the floor....he probably will struggle offensively against certain matchups but his defensive presence is a necessity. He must avoid almost all fouls on the offensive end...backing down his man, rebounding, moving screens.....
8) I am not sure where this is headed but I love this team.....(if only Paschall was eligible)....this team is very good but can they become great? Tomorrow may give us a glimpse...or not!
