Butler Basketball: Keys to success vs. Villanova in 2019-20

VILLANOVA, PA - JANUARY 21: Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs shoots the ball against Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree #21 of the Villanova Wildcats in the first half at Finneran Pavilion on January 21, 2020 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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VILLANOVA, PA – JANUARY 21: Nze contests a 3-point shot. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Contest looks from 3-point range.

It is no secret that Villanova is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country. The Wildcats rank 25th nationally in 3PAr and every single member of the rotation is a viable threat to bury trifectas. Even though this team is quite reliant on perimeter shooting to be successful, that often doesn’t hurt them because they boast so many threats. It is nearly impossible for the entire team to suffer an “off night” as a result.

The most notable shooters on the roster, though, are Saddiq Bey and Collin Gillespie. They both attempt over five 3-pointers per game and can consistently knock-in jumpers regardless of the defensive pressure applied to them. They lead the team in scoring while combining for 30.3 points per game and are typically the primary scoring options for the team.

With regard to how Butler can match up with this, Aaron Thompson’s health will be necessary to monitor. The junior point guard is a Defensive Player of the Year contender for a reason and that was evidenced in the last matchup between those two teams. Despite injuring his wrist in that game, Thompson was able to hold Gillespie to just 14 points on 4-for-15 shooting.

Thompson, though, has missed each of Butler’s last three games due to the injury suffered against the Wildcats. In addition to his superb individual defense, AT is the heartbeat of Butler’s defensive unit. The Dawgs need him on the floor to be at their best defensively at all positions.

Even if Thompson is able to take the court and be effective in this game, Butler will have a difficult time covering the likes of Saddiq Bey and Justin Moore. It is reasonable to think that reserve senior Henry Baddley will match up with Moore for most of the game but the Dawgs do not have a strong matchup for Bey on the perimeter.