Villanova 12/3 6:30 FS1

[Lobot]

Stop Eric Dixon. All you need to know. Nova is 4-4 with losses to Maryland, St Joe's, Columbia, and Virginia. They have really struggled under Kyle Neptune.

Dixon, a 6'8 PF, is their best player by far and is averaging 25 ppg including a 38 point outburst in the loss to Maryland. He's also the Wildcats leading rebounder at 6.6 rpg. You can't foul him at 90% FT either.

Keeping the unfortunately named PG Jhamir Brickus out of the paint is key as well. He's an assist machine but also has a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio.

Outside of Enoch Boakye at 6'11, they don't have a lot of height on the team. Everyone else is 6'9 or under.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...stats/_/id/222

[GoBearcats31]

Alex Faust and Bill Raftery on the TV call…ONIONS

[Lobot]

Line UC -4.5

[leeraymond]

This should be a very interesting game. Villanova is an interesting team. The two big men, Dixon (6'8 265) and Boakye (6'11 255), are really big (in terms of weight). You would think that VU would pound the ball down low. Nope, they are trying to beat you with the three (based on what I can see in their stats). Check this out, 46% of their shots are threes. That is almost half of their shots. VU averages 27 threes a game (VU takes about 59.7 shots a game). They have 5 guys that take 90% of the threes (Dixon, Poplar, Brickus, Longino, and Tyler who is a bench player). VU shoots 38.6% from three.

I hope that UC does NOT get into another pissing contest to see what team can make the most threes (think Alabama State). On the season, UC is playing some good three-point defense (holding teams to 25%). There are going to be some match-up problems for UC in this game. For instance, who is going to guard Dixon? Can Aziz really step out and play on the perimeter against Dixon? What about Mitchell? Dixon will punish Mitchell on the inside with his 265-pound body. By the way, this is UC's toughest game this season. UC is going to have to bring the rough, tough, and grit to this game. Holding the guards (Poplar, Brickus, and Longino) under their averages may be the key to this game.

UC comes in as a top 20 team. They have a bullseye on their backs. Also, this will be UC's FIRST NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAME of the season. This UC team is a good solid team. Given the evolution of this team since last year, this is the type of game that UC has got to win to be taken seriously on the national stage. A loss here to VU and the critics are back to doubting if Miller can win these types of national games (outside the conference). So, you see, this is going to be an interesting game. There is NO doubt about it, this is a BIG GAME for both teams. Hopefully, UC is at least one point better than VU. They are on paper.

[leo from jersey]

tick toc - 3 hours to the Cats -- excited

[GoBearcats31]

No Skillings again

[leo from jersey]

Bill sure looks old. I knew his sister Fran years ago. She was A Sister of Charity and a very nice person.

[leo from jersey]

be nice to see the guards play defense early on.

[BearKatz]

No Skillings again

Skillings ruled out for Howard also.

[BearKatz]

Have not liked what I've seen so far!

[Rufus]

Very disorganized and look shell shocked

[leo from jersey]

lobs are not working. Perimeter defense is not to be found and little teamwork on offense. Give them time

[Carthage World]

Starters need to be prepared to play 30+ minutes. Not the game to go through growing pains with Reed, Betsy, and AP.

[BearKatz]

It's gonna get out of control quick, unless we start scoring n playing defense!

[Rufus]

Zone defense has got them confused. Trying hard not to jack up threes and playing apprehensive. Millers coaching chops are going to be tested tonight.