Xavier Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Musketeers road matchup against Villanova

2) Dominate the glass

Going back to Xavier’s advantage on the inside, it’s an advantage they need to ensure they utilize and actually dominate, which can be most effectively seen on the glass.

Xavier is the bigger team and the stronger team, and that the numbers bear that out. They rank in the top 65 in the country in offensive rebounding rate and the percentage of points they get around the basket, while Villanova ranks 109th and 279th, respectively, in those categories.

Two of Villanova’s best players reside in the frontcourt in Saddiq Bey and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Both are more perimeter-oriented players (surprised as to what drew them to Villanova?) but still manage to hold their own on the glass. That’s particularly true for Robinson-Earl, who averages 9.6 rebounds per game.

The Musketeers have the personnel to out-physical Bey and Robinson-Earl down low. Tyrique Jones is averaging a double-double (13.4 ppg, 10.0 rpg) largely due to his physical dominance down low while fellow big men Naji Marshall and Jason Carter are also averaging over five rebounds per game.

So often we talk about keys being about neutralizing the opponent’s strength, but it’s also about playing to your strength and making sure you excel in what you excel in, especially when you’re expected to have the advantage there. Xavier needs to follow through and own this area.