Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Villanova vs. DePaul Game Preview

Villanova Wildcats vs. DePaul Blue Demons


Thursday January 3rd 9PM ESPN2


Per Game Statistics
(Villanova Advantage in Green)

Points 80.5 75
Rebounds 37.9 36.8
Assists 16.2 15.3
Steals 8.4 7.9
Blocks 3.1 3.5



FGA 60.2 61.4
FGM 27.9 27.09
FG% 46% 44%
FTA 24.27 20.9
FTM 16.63 13.1
Turn Overs 13.1 13.18
Record
10-1
4-7
EFF 93.060 83.210

The Villanova Wildcats will travel to DePaul University to open BigEast play tomorrow evening at 9PM on ESPN2. DePaul came to the Pavillion early last season and handed the Wildcats a crushing defeat, but with that defeat came the break out game from then Freshman Guard Scottie Reynolds. Reynolds hit shots from all over the floor in that contest and gave Wildcat fans a taste of what was to come. Hopefully DePaul's zone defense will allow Villanova to get another break out type game for a Freshman in Corey Stokes.

This year the two teams look vastly different but Wildcat fans should remember the Blue Demon's leading scorer 6-4 Guard Draelon Burns. Burns is averaging 19 points and 3.7 rebounds in his senior season while shooting 36.6% from deep. Expect Reggie Redding and Shane Clark to take turns defending burns with Corey Stokes serving as their backup. 6-10 Freshman Center Mac Koshwal ancors the middle for the Blue Demons averaging 11 points and 8 rebounds in 31mpg He should be a tough defensive assignment for Dante Cunningham and Antonio Pena, both players must stay out of foul trouble and attack the rim early and often to get the big guy out of the game. As for other players of note the Blue Demons have 6-6 Senior Forward Karron Clarke shooting 43% from three point range. This should be the number one thing on Villanova's scouting report, hopefully the Cats can bother Clarke by throwing Redding, Clark and Cunningham at him on the perimeter at any given time, shutting down the three will be very important for the Cats, the Blue Demons shoot 35% from that distance as a team.

Depaul holds their opponents to 78.5 points per game while only scoring 75 themselves while the Wildcats have been scoring 80.5 per game and giving up just over 68.3 points. Villanova also boasts a team EFF of 93.060, 10 points greater than DePauls 82.210, clearly meaning Villanova is the statistically superior team. DePaul's team is very young and should struggle against the pressing and trapping defense employed by Villanova which will lead to turnovers and easy buckets for the 'Cats. Defending the three and keeping our front court players out of foul trouble will be key to starting the Big East season 1-0. Given that DePaul has struggled all season I would expect Villanova to come out victorious if they can play solid defense. Expect Scottie Reynolds to remember what he did against DePaul last season and light the Blue Demons up on their home floor.
Predicted outcome:
Villanova 85 - Depaul 74
Leading Scorer: Reynolds - 25
Leading Rebounder: Cunningham - 10
Leading Assist man: Fisher - 5
Breakout Game: Stokes - 12 points (4-7 3pt)

1 comment:

Unknown said...

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