Villanova Basketball: 2018-19 keys for a Wildcats win at Georgetown

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 03: Collin Gillespie #2, Eric Paschall #4, and Phil Booth #5 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrate their win against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Wells Fargo Center on February 3, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Villanova defeated Georgetown 77-65. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 03: Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts against the Georgetown Hoyas in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on February 3, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Villanova defeated Georgetown 77-65. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Get Collin Gillespie going

Collin Gillespie is the X-factor for the Villanova Wildcats, destined to sneak upon the scene in a major moment like Donte DiVincenzo did last year during the NCAA Tournament.

Lately, the sophomore from Warminster, Pennsylvania has been quiet. He scored just four points against the Red Storm. He’s gone three games without making more than two field goals in any individually. Gillespie is averaging 11.3 points per game, but hasn’t hit that mark since February 6.

Just before that, however, he was the toast of Villanova. On February 3 against – get ready – the Georgetown Hoyas, Gillespie showed out in the best game of his young collegiate career. He scored a career-high 30 points, knocking down 6-of-11 from 3-point range.

In the four games since, Gillespie has combined to make the same amount of 3-point shots (six), though he has taken 28 over that period.

After the first performance against the Hoyas, Gillespie claimed he was “playing with confidence” (h/t ESPN). He clearly had the confidence to keep shooting after that game, but his confidence must be shaken by the lack of makes from 3-point distance, making less than a quarter of his long-distance attempts since then.

If the Wildcats can kick some passes towards an open Gillespie and get him going, he can wreck the Hoyas once again.