Busting Brackets
Fansided

Villanova Basketball: Keys to success against Kansas at home

By Lukas Harkins

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 04: Villanova Wildcats T-shirts are draped over chairs prior to a game against the Pennsylvania Quakers at Finneran Pavilion on December 4, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 04: Villanova Wildcats T-shirts are draped over chairs prior to a game against the Pennsylvania Quakers at Finneran Pavilion on December 4, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
VILLANOVA, PA – DECEMBER 04: Villanova Wildcats huddle. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA – DECEMBER 04: Villanova Wildcats huddle. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Control the glass.

Villanova and Kansas enter this game regarded as two of the best rebounding teams in the country. With both squads exhibiting top-100 rankings in offensive and defensive rebounding rates, it is clear that these squads have the ability to control the glass against just about any opponent. As a result, the Jayhawks and Wildcats should be very evenly matched on the glass in this game and whoever is able to control the most missed shots will have a major advantage.

It will be difficult for either team to build a significant rebounding advantage in this game but Villanova will look to do exactly that.

With regard to limiting Kansas’ rebounding, consistently putting a body on Udoka Azubuike will easily be the top priority. The senior big man is currently averaging 8.1 rebounds (2.2 offensive) per game so far this season for the Jayhawks as one of the leading glass-cleaners in the nation. Azubuike is also tremendous with regard to finishing second-chance opportunities so keeping him off the glass will also limit some potential buckets. He is a very big body in the paint and Villanova will have a tough time dealing with him.

Furthermore, fellow starting forward David McCormack has also been excellent on the glass as of late while exhibiting the 97th-best individual offensive rebounding rate in the country.

To this point in the year, Villanova’s most important player on the glass is freshman forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. A five-star recruit out of high school, JRE has quickly made his impact down low this season while averaging 9.7 rebounds (2.8 ofefnsive) per game. Saddiq Bey and Jermaine Samuels are each averaging 5+ boards per game as full-time starters in the frontcourt as well.

This superb trio of frontcourt pieces is mostly known for its versatile offensive contributions but they are also tremendous on the glass. They are quite young, though, and will need to stay disciplined in order to keep Kansas off the boards.