Butler Basketball: Keys to success at Villanova in 2019-20

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 02: Aaron Thompson #2 of the Butler Bulldogs shoots the ball against Jermaine Samuels #23 of the Villanova Wildcats in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center on March 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 04: Butler Bulldogs players react. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Contest every 3-point attempt.

Villanova is arguably the most dangerous perimeter shooting team in the entire country. The Wildcats rank in the Top 100 nationally in both 3PAr and 3P% for the season and they are extremely difficult to cover on the perimeter as a result. Unlike other high-volume shooting teams, though, Villanova features a number of viable threats on the court at all times rather than just one or two guys capable of filling it up. In fact, five different Wildcats average at least one made trifecta per game.

Since the beginning of conference play, Villanova is attempting exactly half of its total field goals from beyond the arc. The Wildcats are definitely reliant on perimeter shooting and that explains why they rank dead-last in the Big East in FTAr so far. With regard to Butler’s defensive philosophy, it has done an incredible job defending the 3-point line all season long.

Aaron Thompson and Kamar Baldwin represent one of the best defensive backcourts in the country and they have led the way in pushing the Dawgs to contest most perimeter attempts. Butler’s defense, as a unit, has limited its opponents to just 27.9% shooting from three this season. Even with DePaul shooting 10-for-17 (58.8%) from deep, Butler is still holding Big East opponents to just 28.2% from deep.

In terms of finding a statistical similar schematic to Villanova’s offense, it might be worth mentioning that Butler held Wofford to 5-for-27 (18.5%) from three and Creighton to 4-for-22 (18.2%). Villanova is arguably the best perimeter-shooting team that Butler has faced so far this season (statistically it is Wofford) but defending the perimeter has been a strength for the visiting team.

Villanova has shot just a combined 27-for-93 (29.0%) from distance in its three losses this season so limiting this part of its offensive attack could be a potentially huge ingredient for Butler to contend for this road win.