Villanova Scouting Report

[Chin Diesel]

Dixon being forced to cover Sanogo one on one in the post with a one in, four out offense, is so enjoyable to think about. Then Clingan comes in.

This will he a game to check Newton's progress. He has been penetrsting and trying to pass on the fly. Nova will make some passes seem tempting and pick them off when Newton tried to make decisions in the air.

Jackson squaring up Whitmore is must watch TV.

 

[Marat]

Game at the XL, we're down like 20 at halftime, and we said we're walking out at 30. A couple of minutes into the 2nd half, we're down 30 and we walked out. Went to Black Eyed Sally's and wrang up a bar tag I don't want to talk about. Drinking to drown our sorrows, a miserable existence.

I'm drinking (at games) much less nowadays

Sounds like my experience that day. Those days are in the rear view mirror and getting further behind.

 

[XLCenterFan]

Sounds like my experience that day. Those days are in the rear view mirror and getting further behind.

I remember being there just stewing. Place wasn't even close to full and all I could think about was "WTF has happened?" Same thing that year vs. Wichita State.

 

[GHSWolverines]

Far from obsession but certainly curious to see the potential mismatch on the offensive end versus certain opponents. If the ball isn’t falling from the perimeter why not shove it down their throats or try? Clingan is one of your best players, he played 9 minutes last game not enough. Maybe that’s a way to change that. Not looking for large chunks of time but would like to see how they react.

Wait till sampson comes back. That will change the dynamics.

 

[mauconnfan]

Wait till sampson comes back. That will change the dynamics.

You must have been at practice I guess because so far haven’t seen how that will. I hope you’re right of course and there is a dramatic improvement.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Wait till sampson comes back. That will change the dynamics.

I really don't expect anything from Sampson this year.

I'll go hot on my take and suggest this season will end with it feeling like he wasn't ever on the roster.

 

[Huskyforlife]

People are underestimating the return of a guy that was good enough for real rotation minutes on the best team in the country. Supposedly was a star in the scrimmage against Virginia, the other guy is having a nice season (Hawkins). Especially when all he needs to do is give quality defensive minutes when Karaban needs a spell, or we want to go 5 out for stretches. The team could also use another rim protector. I’m excited to see what he brings.

 

[dingaling]

People are underestimating the return of a guy that was good enough for real rotation minutes on the best team in the country. Supposedly was a star in the scrimmage against Virginia, the other guy is having a nice season (Hawkins). Especially when all he needs to do is give quality defensive minutes when Karaban needs a spell, or we want to go 5 out for stretches. The team could also use another rim protector. I’m excited to see what he brings.

Sometimes Karaban looks like a freshman also, so he will be a welcomed addition on those nights. These guys run with each other everyday, so if they are all big on Samson, I cant imagine they are just being nice to him.

 

[Palatine]

Oh they have something. Dixon owned Sanogo last year and besides that they will have some matchups they will like in their backdown offense.

Much tougher game than earlier year from them with Whitmore and Armstrong.

This is kind of a game I was looking at when I wished they had played Sanogo and Clingan together. They would have absolutely no answer for that.

Sanogo got into foul trouble last year. He should still feel the burn from that day.

 

[gsmooth]

Sanogo got into foul trouble last year. He should still feel the burn from that day.

First game at Nova yes. Second game in Hartford Sanogo was very good while Dixon was a non-factor. Hopefully that repeats again in Hartford

 

[jibsey]

Sometimes Karaban looks like a freshman also, so he will be a welcomed addition on those nights. These guys run with each other everyday, so if they are all big on Samson, I cant imagine they are just being nice to him.

We’ve seen so little of him it’s hard to remember or project, but yes he was a starter.

 

[ucp990411]

Can anybody tell me how to watch replays of Villanova games from this season? I want to come up with my own game plan.

 

[wheelerdog]

Like to see a big game from Hawkins

 

[uconnfan68]

People are underestimating the return of a guy that was good enough for real rotation minutes on the best team in the country. Supposedly was a star in the scrimmage against Virginia, the other guy is having a nice season (Hawkins). Especially when all he needs to do is give quality defensive minutes when Karaban needs a spell, or we want to go 5 out for stretches. The team could also use another rim protector. I’m excited to see what he brings.

The more weapons, the merrier I feel. The Dan Hurley “Kill Them” tour.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Dixon roasted Sanogo for 24/12 last year in Philadelphia, while Sanogo was hampered with foul trouble.

Don’t sleep on Dixon he can be good.

And while Clingan is a tough matchup for Dixon on D, I don’t think Clingan can chase Dixon outside all day. Hurley has a tendency to focus on defensive matchups, even if it means losing an offensive advantage.

 

[mauconnfan]

And while Clingan is a tough matchup for Dixon on D, I don’t think Clingan can chase Dixon outside all day. Hurley has a tendency to focus on defensive matchups, even if it means losing an offensive advantage.

Agree and he’s right to do so. But this team is going to back you down 75-80% of the time. If you start getting in foul trouble and can’t make shots down the other end as well, you always have the option to zone this team and make them make shots. They aren’t the Nova of old so this could be a potential adjustment. Please try to come into a zone with Sanogo and Clingan guarding the paint.

They play great D so I doubt we get there, but if struggling I would hope they have practiced this for a future matchup.

 

[dennismenace]

Agree and he’s right to do so. But this team is going to back you down 75-80% of the time. If you start getting in foul trouble and can’t make shots down the other end as well, you always have the option to zone this team and make them make shots. They aren’t the Nova of old so this could be a potential adjustment. Please try to come into a zone with Sanogo and Clingan guarding the paint.

They play great D so I doubt we get there, but if struggling I would hope they have practiced this for a future matchup.

Agreed. Training is where future battles are won or lost. In the heat of battle, when there isn't time to think very much, you remember your training.

 

[UChusky916]

Its no coincidence that when Whitmore came back that this Nova team started winning... he's a stud.
Frankly, I'm a bit concerned about our matchup with him at PF.
Karaban is about the same height, but gives up over 20 lbs on Whitmore and has struggled defending some bigger guys lately.
Hoping that Samson Johnson is good to go and can get some run. Hope he can be effective, but there's gonna be some rust.

 

[ucp990411]

Its no coincidence that when Whitmore came back that this Nova team started winning... he's a stud.
Frankly, I'm a bit concerned about our matchup with him at PF.
Karaban is about the same height, but gives up over 20 lbs on Whitmore and has struggled defending some bigger guys lately.
Hoping that Samson Johnson is good to go and can get some run. Hope he can be effective, but there's gonna be some rust.

Cam Whitmore meet Andre Jackson

 

[Matt1010]

Its no coincidence that when Whitmore came back that this Nova team started winning... he's a stud.
Frankly, I'm a bit concerned about our matchup with him at PF.
Karaban is about the same height, but gives up over 20 lbs on Whitmore and has struggled defending some bigger guys lately.
Hoping that Samson Johnson is good to go and can get some run. Hope he can be effective, but there's gonna be some rust.

I agree Whitmore is a stud, but to play devils advocate here they started this 5 game winning streak ranked Kenpom #53 and they are still Kenpom #53 today. We should absolutely handle them at home and will likely be double digit favorites.

 

[KingAG]

Its no coincidence that when Whitmore came back that this Nova team started winning... he's a stud.
Frankly, I'm a bit concerned about our matchup with him at PF.
Karaban is about the same height, but gives up over 20 lbs on Whitmore and has struggled defending some bigger guys lately.
Hoping that Samson Johnson is good to go and can get some run. Hope he can be effective, but there's gonna be some rust.

They haven’t actually beaten anybody. A couple of those wins were very unimpressive. They’ll get up for this game so it won’t be a walk in the park. But this still isn’t an impressive Villanova team

 

[mauconnfan]

Cam Whitmore meet Andre Jackson

Guessing Andre gets Daniels but who knows. I know Karaban will be fine just needs to move the feet and not reach. Newton needs to keep Armstrong from getting too much into the paint and we need to hope Dixon isn't making 3s.

Tough, different style match up will be fun one to watch.

 

[Storrs South]

Guessing Andre gets Daniels but who knows. I know Karaban will be fine just needs to move the feet and not reach. Newton needs to keep Armstrong from getting too much into the paint and we need to hope Dixon isn't making 3s.

Tough, different style match up will be fun one to watch.

Full 40 (Nova Podcast) said on @gwhuskyfan's pod he expects Andre to switch off since Whitmore doesn't start for them (yet).

I bet Hurley is telling Andre he gets Cam since he is an expected lotto pick and wants him to showcase his D v. NBA talent, but as you infer, Daniels stirs the drink imo. He is a good player that is a true 3 level scorer. I can see Hurley adjusting like against Georgetown last week with Spears and putting Andre on Daniels if he starts going off.

 

[auror]

Their last 5 games are all in their top 7 games of the year by performance according to BartTorvik. That being said our first 12 games were all better than their 2nd best performance all year. And we have 9 games more impressive than their best.

Nova's offense is still elite and forces tough matchups but they're not going to be able to stop us. They don't have rim protection, they don't rebound well, they don't force a poor shoot %, and they don't force turnovers. In the words of Office Space, "What is it you say you do here?"

Since Whitmore's return they're ranked 57th by BartTorvik. Shooting 38% from 3, both shooting splits for (barely top 50) and against slightly better (but still mediocre), low turnover rate for and forced, mediocre to bad rebounding, no fouls given on D (like Butler),

We should be able to generate some easy baskets through Sanogo and offensive boards and then just have to lean on home crowd to help force a few turnovers and should be able to out execute and play harder (using depth) than them on both ends.

 

[freshler40]

Their last 5 games are all in their top 7 games of the year by performance according to BartTorvik. That being said our first 12 games were all better than their 2nd best performance all year. And we have 9 games more impressive than their best.

Nova's offense is still elite and forces tough matchups but they're not going to be able to stop us. They don't have rim protection, they don't rebound well, they don't force a poor shoot %, and they don't force turnovers. In the words of Office Space, "What is it you say you do here?"

Since Whitmore's return they're ranked 57th by BartTorvik. Shooting 38% from 3, both shooting splits for (barely top 50) and against slightly better (but still mediocre), low turnover rate for and forced, mediocre to bad rebounding, no fouls given on D (like Butler),

We should be able to generate some easy baskets through Sanogo and offensive boards and then just have to lean on home crowd to help force a few turnovers and should be able to out execute and play harder (using depth) than them on both ends.

Payback time, Hurley won't let them forget. We play hard, great defense and we win! On to 2023,

 

[pj]

I really don't expect anything from Sampson this year.

I'll go hot on my take and suggest this season will end with it feeling like he wasn't ever on the roster.

You're probably right about feeling like Sampson wasn't ever on the roster -- I feel that way now -- but I don't expect to feel that way about Samson.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Think we matchup well here. Caleb will have to deal with Newton at first with doses of Alleyne and Diarra afterwards. Whitmore has Karaban then Andre. Do wish we had SJ for a little more depth guarding the 4 but we’ll be fine.

If they can’t play defense this can be another double digits one. It seems like everything they do well we defend well.

 

[CTGoonie]

Ok, I'll say it. We're doomed. Nova by 40.

 

[elmcityboy]

i like the match-up this year, too. we have bigger guards that they can't bully anymore. we also have the speed and athleticism advantage at basically every position if whitmore is on the bench.

dixon will be a factor. i think a lot of our fans are overlooking him because he's so small, but he has owned sanogo in the past. plus, they go small with their bench and will force donovan to guard in space.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Final thoughts:

Villanova is probably our most unique BE matchup of the year.

Elite offense that shoots a ton of threes and isn't afraid to go small (Whitmore and Slater combine for about 1/3 of the minutes at the 5 whenever Dixon is out).

Speaking of Dixon, he averages about 3.8 fouls per 40, which is quite low, but I can see him getting into foul trouble today if/when Sanogo eats.

When was the last time we played Villanova with a PG who can handle guarding post-up guards? I'm so delighted to have Newton right now, as I have way more confidence of him guarding Daniels down low than I would have with Cole, Alterique, Vital, Adams, Gibbs, Boat...

As of right now, this is Villanova's worst defensive team since the 11-12 season, so that's that, but I'd still expect UConn to stay in the low 70s with Nova's ability to control the pace (only 14.2% turnover rate, so I do not expect a lot of transition buckets for UConn, even though I'm hoping AJax is reading this post as bulletin board material).