Villanova vs Marquette: 5 storylines for first 2020-21 Big East matchup

Vastly contrasting styles

This goes beyond just influencing the Pace of Play, as there is not a substantial distance between the two teams with regards to the pace of a game. Not including Villanova’s game versus St.Joseph’s on Saturday, Villanova’s Pace of Play stood at 65.7 possessions per 40 minutes, while it is the slowest pace currently in the Big East, it is just four possessions less than Marquette’s.

A contributing factor to that is that the Golden Eagles average 14.6 turnovers per game, second-most in the Big East, while the Wildcats turnover the ball just eight times a game. On the other hand, Villanova forces an average of 11.9 turnovers, one more than Marquette per game. Simple math states, more turnovers, more possessions.

To say the Golden Eagles play a faster-paced game than the Wildcats is short-sighted, the Golden Eagles play a much more chaotic style. This chaotic, short of uncontrolled style is led by junior guard Greg Elliot. Some may argue Elliot puts in maximum effort, others would not be wrong in claiming he is wild. A style that remains under the radar as Marquette’s starting backcourt continues to turn the ball over and foul.

Villanova is not going to blow anybody out, whether they are up by two points, or down by twenty, Jay Wright’s guys are going to run their stuff. The story that will be told over forty minutes is the conflict that arises between Marquette’s aggressive style of play of getting out on transition after creating a turnover. While Villanova will execute numerous pick’n’roll, guard post-ups, and their three-quarter court press. Whoever manages to control the game, will have the upper hand.