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Villanova Basketball: 3 keys for 2019-20 non-conference matchup vs. UConn

By Brian Rauf

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 30: Justin Moore #5, Collin Gillespie #2, and Jermaine Samuels #23 of the Villanova Wildcats react against the Xavier Musketeers in the first half at Finneran Pavilion on December 30, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Xavier Musketeers 68-62. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 30: Justin Moore #5, Collin Gillespie #2, and Jermaine Samuels #23 of the Villanova Wildcats react against the Xavier Musketeers in the first half at Finneran Pavilion on December 30, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Xavier Musketeers 68-62. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 21: Collin Gillespie #2, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree #21, Saddiq Bey #41, and Justin Moore #5 of the Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 21: Collin Gillespie #2, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree #21, Saddiq Bey #41, and Justin Moore #5 of the Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1) Start fast

If you’re looking for a reason why most of Villanova’s recent games have been, well, closer than they should be, it’s because of the slow starts they have endured.

Against DePaul, Villanova trailed by double digits very early in the game before coming back. They only led a shorthanded Georgetown team by three at halftime before gradually pulling away in the second half. Creighton and Marquette also built early double-digit leads, and the Golden Eagles didn’t relinquish it.

I could keep going, but you get the picture.

The game is in Philadelphia, so Villanova won’t have to worry about taking the crowd out of the game, but this UConn team is still looking for a signature win under Hurley. Beating a team like Villanova on the road would certainly qualify as that, especially considering where they’ll be next year.

Starting quickly obviously will make things easier on the Wildcats, but it will also keep the Huskies from building that belief that they can really pull off the upset.