Game 14: Villanova University (16-5)
Mar. 11, 12:00 pm (EST)
New York, NY
Madison Sq. Garden (19,591)
No Public Seating Available
Media:
TV: Fox Broadcast
GU Radio: WTEM-980
VU Radio: WBEN-95.7
About the Wildcats:
Location: Villanova, PA
Enrollment: 6,500
Conference: Big East
2019-20 Record: 24-7
Record vs. Georgetown: 44-44
Meet The Coach:
Jay Wright
(Bucknell '83)
20th season, 491-188
Career: 613-273
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| Expected Starters |
| Name |
Ht. |
Pts. |
| Chris Arcidiacono |
6-5 |
0.0 |
| Caleb Daniels |
6-4 |
10.1 |
| Jermaine Samuels |
6-7 |
11.4 |
| Cole Swider |
6-9 |
5.9 |
| Jeremiah Robinson-Earl |
6-9 |
15.2 |
| |
| Team Stats: |
| Points/Game: |
75.7 |
| Points Allowed: |
66.9 |
| FG Shooting: |
45.0 |
| FG Defense |
44.9 |
| 3FG Shooting: |
35.5 |
| FT Shooting: |
77.3 |
| Rebounds/Game |
34.5 |
| Assists/Game |
15.3 |
| Turnovers/Game |
9.1 |
|
| Last 5 Games (3-2) |
02/20: VU 68, UConn 60
02/23: VU 81, St. John's 58
02/28: Butler 73, VU 61
03/03: VU 72, Creighton 60
03/06: Providence 54, VU 52
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Preview
In any other year, the chances of a #8 seed taking down Villanova in the quarterfinals would be prohibitive. Maybe it still is.
The Wildcats have advanced to a record five straight finals, winning four and last were tripped up by a #8 seed in 2014. The circumstances in 2021 are complicated by the loss of two main contributors to injury. What's left in the tank for Villanova is anyone's guess but rest assured, it won't be the second coming of Marquette on the floor Thursday.
Down two starters in the backcourt, Villanova is likely to start sophomore Chris Arcidiacono, younger brother of former Villanova standout Ryan Arcidiacono. Unlike his brother, it's a trial by fire for the little used sophomore, who has made just one field goal in two seasons and is scoreless in nine games this season. Realistically, however, it puts more pressure on redshirt junior Caleb Daniels to carry the weight of the scoring lost by Collin Gillespie and to a lesser extent, Justin Moore. Daniels is shooting just 2 of 16 over the last two games despite double figures in six conference games this season. Daniels had 18 versus the Hoyas in Villanova's win at McDonough Gym and eight at the rematch at Finneran Pavilion.
Villanova's best hopes for the semifinals rests on the shoulders of Jermaine Samuels and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who have excelled in games versus Georgetown over the past two years. Samuels torched the G-men for 32 in the Feb. 7 game, and is coming off 21 versus Providence in a two point loss exacerbated by the loss of Gillespie and Moore, officially listed as doubtful for Thursday's game. Samuels can be streaky but GU cannot afford a repeat performance from last month. A best-case scenario for Georgetown is to pick up early foul trouble inside on Villanova's big men as was the case versus Marquette.
Yes, Georgetown is on a roll, but Villanova is easily the best opponent they have met not named Connecticut over the last month. Georgetown's shooting continues to be inconsistent and while they have feasted inside, turnovers and cheap fouls could be deadly in this kind of game.
Let's go with the keys from the Marquette game:
1. B For Bile: A relatively poor game offensively vs. Marquette, a better defensive one. He'll need both to improve Thursday
2. B For Blair: Can Blair get hot early and expose Villanova's lack of depth on the perimeter?
3. B For The Boards: The Hoyas stomped on Marquette on the boards, and it will be a tougher task Thursday.
Georgetown has more than a puncher's chance of an upset, but must play a disciplined game defensively. Villanova has broken 72 points just once in its last six and would struggle to get 80 in a game like this. For its part, just one of Nova's last six opponents has shot better than 40 percent, and 42 percent may be the threshold for Georgetown to prevail.