Busting Brackets
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Saint Mary’s Basketball: Three keys to upsetting Villanova

By Connor Hope

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 12: The Saint Mary's Gaels mascot and cheerleaders line up on the court before the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament between the Gaels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 12, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Gaels defeated the Bulldogs 60-47. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 12: The Saint Mary's Gaels mascot and cheerleaders line up on the court before the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament between the Gaels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 12, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Gaels defeated the Bulldogs 60-47. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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MORAGA, CA – MARCH 02: Matthias Tass #11 of the Saint Mary’s Gaels goes in for a layup against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half of their NCAA college basketball game at McKeon Pavilion on March 2, 2019 in Moraga, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
MORAGA, CA – MARCH 02: Matthias Tass #11 of the Saint Mary’s Gaels goes in for a layup against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half of their NCAA college basketball game at McKeon Pavilion on March 2, 2019 in Moraga, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2) Don’t shoot yourself out of the game

The Wildcats are 3-6 against teams that make 50% or more of their shots from the floor. Their only three wins came against DePaul and La Salle, while only two of the six losses came against teams who attempted 20 or more shots from deep. What does this all mean? Teams don’t need to pace Villanova from deep in order to beat them.

This is fantastic news for the Gaels, who like to attack the rim, collapse the defense and find open shooters. Saint Mary’s top seven scorers all finish over 45% from two-point range, and Jordan Ford may be the best driving guard on the west coast. If the shots aren’t falling for Ford, Tanner Krebbs and Malik Fitts, the Gaels DO NOT need to force it.

The key to beating the Wildcats is not shooting better than them, it is playing more consistently than them. Utilizing Jordan Hunter on the inside, much like they did against the Zags, can certainly open the floor for the shooters, but it is more important for Ford to attack closeouts than to take contested shots. Efficiency will win this game, and Saint Mary’s is one of the most efficient offenses in the country.

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