Villanova vs. Kansas: 3 key storylines for the upcoming game
By Brian Rauf
1) Can Villanova turn their season around?
There’s no question that the Wildcats have been one of the biggest disappointments in the country. Coming off a loss to intra-city rival Penn, it’s clear the Wildcats aren’t the team we thought they were going to be.
So what exactly is wrong with them? I expanded on their issues earlier this season and those issues have remained the same – they’re not taking care of the ball and they’re not shooting the three well.
Basically, they’re not playing Villanova basketball.
The Wildcats rank 169th in the country in three-point shooting (34.3 percent), which is their lowest mark since the 2012-13 season. However, they’re shooting more shots from deep (52.3 percent of all shots come from long-range) than they ever have. Their guards are incapable of consistently beating their defenders off the bounce, meaning the Wildcats have virtually no drive-and-kick game. Everything starts and stays on the perimeter, making them easier to guard.
Unsurprisingly, their three losses have come in three of their worst shooting games. They’re a combined 26-85 from three in those losses.
Villanova is also turning the ball over on 18.9 percent of all of their possessions, which ranks 171st. When you can’t make shots from deep and struggle to hand onto the ball, it’s a recipe for disaster.