Villanova vs. Providence: 3 keys to the Big East title game

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Head coach Ed Cooley of the Providence Friars celebrates during the second half against the Xavier Musketeers during semifinals of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

How will Providence guard all of Villanova?

With Oklahoma and Duke both scoring less as of late, Villanova has now become the nation’s top scorers at 87.4 ppg. That’s because of the amount of offensive firepower they possess, with six players averaging at least 10.0 ppg.

The top two are Bridges (17.8 ppg) and Brunson (19.1). It’s one thing to have multiple double-figure guys on the team, but to have a couple of them practically be 20 ppg players, it’s just hard to guard.

In the 89-69 win for Villanova on January 23, those same six guys did have at least 10 points, led by Eric Paschall with 17. The Friars had no shot in this one, knowing that they couldn’t go after the stars while leaving the role players behind.

Even when Brunson goes to the bench, Donte DiVincenzo (probably the best sixth man in the country) just slides right in and continues the machine. He’s third on the team in scoring and second in assists.

For Providence to win this game, the team will have to repeat their strategy of pressuring the ball, where they forced 19 Villanova turnovers. If the Friars can get the number to 15+, they’ll have a legit chance. If it’s six like the first game, then the Wildcats should coast.

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