Kansas Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Jayhawks against Villanova Wildcats

Kansas Basketball heads to Philadelphia to take on Villanova in their first match-up since being named the #1 team in the AP Poll. What do the Jayhawks need to do to take home the victory?

Kansas Basketball heads into its battle with Villanova riding a 9-game winning streak that has elevated them to the #1 team in the AP Poll for the first time this season. Others have struggled to hold on to the top spot thus far, and the Jayhawks will look to avoid to become the fifth top-ranked team to lose in the last seven weeks. Villanova is arguably the toughest opponent Kansas has faced since their opening night loss to Duke, so a victory will not come easily.

Kansas is coming off a pair of dominant victories against overmatched opponents in Milwaukee and UMKC. Sophomore guard Devon Dotson was phenomenal in both games, averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 2.5 steals while only turning the ball over twice. His play earned him Big XII player of the week honors for the second time this season.

Dotson has done a great job leading the team, but he has not had to carry the load by himself. Big man Udoka Azuibuke is a national player of the year candidate in his own right. Azuibuke is shooting 83% from the field, and his presence on the defensive end is a big reason why Kansas is in the Top 20 in the nation in block rate.

Villanova comes into the game ranked 18th in the nation. The Wildcats rely on their potent offense which leads the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency according to prophetratings.com. Villanova is averaging over 80 points per game despite being in the bottom third of the nation in pace. The Wildcats will certainly be a challenge to contain, so let’s look at the keys for Kansas if they are going to hang on to their #1 ranking.