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Remember back in November – following losses to Columbia, Saint Joseph’s and Virginia – when Kyle Neptune was firmly on the hot seat? Well, after a 3-4 start, Villanova has been 7-1 over their last eight, highlighted by a win over Cincy. True, so far, their conference schedule has been pillowy (3-1 w/ wins over Seton Hall, DePaul and Butler and a loss to Creighton), but Villanova is no longer a laughing stock team and have a much better prognosis in January than they did in November.
Simply put, this is the most mercurial Villanova team we’ve ever seen in during the modern KenPom era: their offense is ranked 7th in efficiency (typical Villanova standards and typical style too), but 178th in defensive efficiency. The worst defensive efficiency under Jay Wright? 132nd.
Defensively, their interior defense isn’t that bad, but their perimeter D is dreadful. Also, Villanova does a terrible job preventing offensive flow, so UConn’s beautiful offense should be smooth.
However, Villanova’s offense plays to UConn’s deficiencies: They shoot a ton of threes and make over 40% of their tries. In fact, all of their lineups include at least 4 guys who can shoot and they even roll out lineups with five shooters when Dixon is at the 5 and Poplar/Parker are at the 4.
Few players in college basketball have grown as much as Eric Dixon has over the last 4+ seasons. Starting out with decent range, he is not only the most prolific scorer in the nation but is also now one of the best perimeter scorers, ranking amongst the top-15 in three-pointers made and top-five nationally with a 49% clip from three. This level of scoring all over the floor allows him to play mostly at the 4 while true big Enoch Boakye keeps it simple on offense, is one of the better rounders/shot blockers in the country and ranks as Villanova’s second best defender. When Boakye is resting, Dixon plays the 5 and when Dixon is at the 5, Kris Parker and Josiah Moseley get backup minutes at the 4 and backup 3 minutes in bigger lineups.
Freshman Josiah Moseley is an enticing project that was trained as a guard, but has filled out to 6’6 228, so there are a lot of traits that make him seem like a Villanova player. Right now, his offensive game is simplified and he’s incredibly low-usage, but he ranks as Villanova’s most efficient defender. Even though Parker is 6’9, he’s got guard skills and can put the ball on the deck, but is not a strong defender. His perimeter game is a work-in-progress, but he’s got above-the-rim and slashing dynamic.
Outside of senior Jordan Longino, VIllanova’s backcourt is entirely built up of transfers.
A Philly native who did not start playing organized basketball until he was a sophomore in high school, Wooga Poplar is a gifted baseball star who steadily developed as one of the most versatile offensive players at Villanova. An unselfish, capable distributor Poplar is also content without the ball in his hands, but very efficient and productive, when needed. Overall, he’s a very smart offensive player who can score from anywhere.
After four years at La Salle, Jhamir Brickus is that classic, physical Villanova point guard who can post up, dish and score from anywhere in the halfcourt. With a nearly 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, Brickus is super steady on offense, but his lack of size and occasionally over-aggressive defense attributes to him ranking as Villanova’s worst defender.
Penn sophomore transfer Tyler Perkins is another player who I’ve gotten to see live and his role at Villanova has changed quite a bit compared to his freshman season in the Ivy League. Perkins was one of “the guys” at Penn and his athleticism helped him play downhill, in transition and also attack the rim. So far, at Villanova, he’s been more of a perimeter player who is often the first guard off the bench, but he’s more than capable of scoring in bunches, making a highlight play. Perkins is also probably the best backcourt defender, especially given his size, athleticism and switchability.
Longino starts at the 2, but with his size, vision and versatility, he plays all three backcourt positions, even backing up Brickus at the 1. At 6’5 215, VIllanova plays a thick lineup when Longino is at point. Longino isn’t the best perimeter scorer, but he’s a high-IQ, low-mistake player who can contribute in a lot of ways and he isn’t afraid to play physically. Not blessed with the best athleticism, he is also a liability on defense.
Simply put, Villanova makes shots, but allows opponents to make shots, especially on the perimeter. Both teams like to control the tempo, with UConn comfortable in the halfcourt and VIllanova forcing a ton of clock on both ends. Earlier this season, this game was a laughable matchup, but this won’t be an easy game.
Simply put, this is the most mercurial Villanova team we’ve ever seen in during the modern KenPom era: their offense is ranked 7th in efficiency (typical Villanova standards and typical style too), but 178th in defensive efficiency. The worst defensive efficiency under Jay Wright? 132nd.
Defensively, their interior defense isn’t that bad, but their perimeter D is dreadful. Also, Villanova does a terrible job preventing offensive flow, so UConn’s beautiful offense should be smooth.
However, Villanova’s offense plays to UConn’s deficiencies: They shoot a ton of threes and make over 40% of their tries. In fact, all of their lineups include at least 4 guys who can shoot and they even roll out lineups with five shooters when Dixon is at the 5 and Poplar/Parker are at the 4.
Few players in college basketball have grown as much as Eric Dixon has over the last 4+ seasons. Starting out with decent range, he is not only the most prolific scorer in the nation but is also now one of the best perimeter scorers, ranking amongst the top-15 in three-pointers made and top-five nationally with a 49% clip from three. This level of scoring all over the floor allows him to play mostly at the 4 while true big Enoch Boakye keeps it simple on offense, is one of the better rounders/shot blockers in the country and ranks as Villanova’s second best defender. When Boakye is resting, Dixon plays the 5 and when Dixon is at the 5, Kris Parker and Josiah Moseley get backup minutes at the 4 and backup 3 minutes in bigger lineups.
Freshman Josiah Moseley is an enticing project that was trained as a guard, but has filled out to 6’6 228, so there are a lot of traits that make him seem like a Villanova player. Right now, his offensive game is simplified and he’s incredibly low-usage, but he ranks as Villanova’s most efficient defender. Even though Parker is 6’9, he’s got guard skills and can put the ball on the deck, but is not a strong defender. His perimeter game is a work-in-progress, but he’s got above-the-rim and slashing dynamic.
Outside of senior Jordan Longino, VIllanova’s backcourt is entirely built up of transfers.
A Philly native who did not start playing organized basketball until he was a sophomore in high school, Wooga Poplar is a gifted baseball star who steadily developed as one of the most versatile offensive players at Villanova. An unselfish, capable distributor Poplar is also content without the ball in his hands, but very efficient and productive, when needed. Overall, he’s a very smart offensive player who can score from anywhere.
After four years at La Salle, Jhamir Brickus is that classic, physical Villanova point guard who can post up, dish and score from anywhere in the halfcourt. With a nearly 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, Brickus is super steady on offense, but his lack of size and occasionally over-aggressive defense attributes to him ranking as Villanova’s worst defender.
Penn sophomore transfer Tyler Perkins is another player who I’ve gotten to see live and his role at Villanova has changed quite a bit compared to his freshman season in the Ivy League. Perkins was one of “the guys” at Penn and his athleticism helped him play downhill, in transition and also attack the rim. So far, at Villanova, he’s been more of a perimeter player who is often the first guard off the bench, but he’s more than capable of scoring in bunches, making a highlight play. Perkins is also probably the best backcourt defender, especially given his size, athleticism and switchability.
Longino starts at the 2, but with his size, vision and versatility, he plays all three backcourt positions, even backing up Brickus at the 1. At 6’5 215, VIllanova plays a thick lineup when Longino is at point. Longino isn’t the best perimeter scorer, but he’s a high-IQ, low-mistake player who can contribute in a lot of ways and he isn’t afraid to play physically. Not blessed with the best athleticism, he is also a liability on defense.
Simply put, Villanova makes shots, but allows opponents to make shots, especially on the perimeter. Both teams like to control the tempo, with UConn comfortable in the halfcourt and VIllanova forcing a ton of clock on both ends. Earlier this season, this game was a laughable matchup, but this won’t be an easy game.
