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Villanova vs. Kansas: 3 key storylines for the upcoming game

By Brian Rauf

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats is defended by Lagerald Vick #2 of the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats is defended by Lagerald Vick #2 of the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats speaks to head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks after the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Kansas 95-79. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats speaks to head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks after the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Kansas 95-79. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Villanova and Kansas meet on Dec. 15 in a Final Four rematch. Here are the biggest storylines in one of the biggest non-conference games of the year.

This Final Four rematch was expected to be another matchup between top 10 teams but, instead, we get two teams that are largely headed in opposite directions.

Villanova, the defending national champs, already has three losses and two of them (Furman, Penn) have come against teams ranked outside KenPom’s top 100. The hype surrounding this team was largely dampened when they lost 73-46 to Michigan on Nov. 14, and those losses to lesser opponents have raised questions about how good the Wildcats actually are.

On the flip side, Kansas has maintained their preseason No. 1 ranking and are undefeated with two legitimate All-American candidates in Dedric Lawson and Lagerald Vick.

Related Story. Big East Power Rankings. light

But that’s not to say the Jayhawks have looked perfect. KU needed overtime to get past Stanford and trailed in the second half against both UL-Lafayette and New Mexico State, leaving this team with questions of their own.

A convincing win would help Kansas cement themselves as the best team in the country, while a win would signal Villanova is capable of turning their year around.

Who will get that victory? Here are the biggest storylines going into the game.

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