Busting Brackets
Fansided

UConn Basketball: Keys for 2019-2020 non-conference clash with Villanova

By Ben Andreatta

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Christian Vital #1 of the Connecticut Huskies takes the ball down the court in the second half of the game against Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Christian Vital #1 of the Connecticut Huskies takes the ball down the court in the second half of the game against Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Jordan Bohannon #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives around Alterique Gilbert #3 of the Connecticut Huskies (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Jordan Bohannon #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives around Alterique Gilbert #3 of the Connecticut Huskies (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Close out on the shooters

Saddiq Bey and Collin Gillespie are both good shooters, UConn needs to get a hand in their face. With five guys averaging over ten points per game they can hurt you from all over the place, and after giving up 89 to Wichita UConn has got to put together a better defensive showing.

UConn got out and ran pretty well in the second half with Wichita but has to do a better job of limiting the second-chance points and getting defensive rebounds. Putting the pressure on the guards and forcing turnovers is important for UConn’s success but Villanova takes care of the ball pretty well. Vital is averaging 2.6 steals per game.

UConn ranks second nationally in blocks this season with 114 in 16 games. Akok Akok is averaging 2.9 blocks per game by himself. Akok looks to swat shots and getting the guards to attack the paint will give him opportunities. He and Carlton need to be careful about not getting in foul trouble as it will come back to bite them.

The defensive effort needs to be there all day for UConn, blocked shots, steals, and creating turnovers however they can. Uconn needs Villanova to be uncomfortable and force them into bad shots.