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

Don’t give up easy points at the foul line

Kansas has not been a team prone to fouling so far this season, and it will be important to continue that trend against Villanova. The Wildcats offense is lethal enough in the half-court, and the Jayhawks cannot afford to give them easy points at the free throw line.

The four top usage players for Villanova all shoot above 75% from the free throw line, and Wildcats are 28th in the nation in FT% as a team. If Villanova is able to attack the paint and get to the line, this will work in their favor in two ways. First, they will score at a high rate from the line. Secondly, they will get some of the most important Kansas players into foul trouble, opening up more opportunities to score in the post.

Center Udoka Azibuike is the most important interior piece for Kansas, and they cannot afford for him to end up in foul trouble. Azibuike has actually had his lowest career foul rate this season, but fouls have been an issue for him in the past. Last season, in nine games, Azibuike fouled out once and committed four fouls three other times. His foul rate also increases against better opponents. This season, Udoka is averaging only 3.2 fouls per 40 minutes, however, this number climbs to 4.7 fouls per 40 minutes against top 50 opponents per Kenpom.com.

Overall the Villanova offense doesn’t have many weaknesses. Kansas will have to make things tough for them where they can. Kansas does steal the ball at a high rate, and Villanova has been prone to turning the ball over occasionally. Kansas will have to be aggressive to get takeaways and close out on shooters without sending good shooters to the free throw line. It is a fine line to walk, but if Kansas can balance aggression with smart play, they will have a shot to at least challenge Villanova’s offense.