Butler Basketball: Takeaways from thrilling win over Villanova

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs celebrates with the fans after a win over the Villanova Wildcats at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 05, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 79-76. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 05: Butler Bulldogs celebrate. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

1. Villanova played well. Butler played better.

Villanova and Butler entered this game ranked at 10th and 19th in the country, respectively, and they acted like it. Both teams played great basketball, particularly on the offensive end, and it made for an engaging and entertaining event. As the Dawgs looked to pound the ball inside and finish at the rim or kick to shooters, the ‘Cats spaced the floor and drove to the hoop relentlessly. It wasn’t the best defensive performance by either team this season but both teams played well and good offense simply beats good defense. It was raining outside of Hinkle and it was raining inside as well (not just because of the leak).

The fact of the matter is, though, that Butler did not catch Villanova on an “off night” in order to win this game. The Wildcats actually played quite well from start-to-finish with their two stars leading the way. Their volume of 3-point attempts was limited a bit in this game by Butler’s defense but they counteracted that by attacking the basket and finishing and/or drawing fouls. Villanova simply played well and looked like the Top 15 team in the country that it is.

Butler was better on this particular night, though.

The Dawgs appeared to be in a bit of a slump heading in (even with wins in two of their last three) and it was clear that the return of Aaron Thompson made a difference. The team’s communication was better defensively and Thompson probes the inside so well to create looks on the perimeter offensively. This was arguably Butler’s best offensive outing of the entire season and his leadership on that end of the court was praised throughout postgame.

This was a hard-fought, well-played game by both teams. Butler defended its home-court against a Top 15 team in the country in response of a disappointing loss. That’s what good teams do and Butler is a good team.