Villanova Basketball: 5 early lessons from 2021-22 Blue/White scrimmage
No inside presence
The combination of Eric Dixon and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree at the center position was going to leave the Wildcats vulnerable inside, that was before it was announced that Cosby-Roundtree would not play for the Wildcats’ this season and possibly not play basketball again. Without the 6’9 / 250 forward coming off the bench, 6’8 / 255 Eric Dixon will shoulder even more of the responsibility as he will be backed up by freshman Nnanna Njoku.
Regardless of the minute distribution or if Trey Patterson gets time at the center, the Wildcats’ have nobody to provide significant inside scoring. A situation that only serves to support the fact that they will be attempting a lot of threes this season. Perhaps the three-point attempts is a recruiting by-product, as Coach Jay Wright knew he would have no inside presence, but it is something opposing defenses will be aware of.
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The 2021-22 season will see the post players set ball screens beyond the three-point arc in order to allow the ball-handler to draw the help then kick out. If they do find the ball in their hands – which will be block extended and not in the actual paint- they will look to pass first and score second with their primary option being the slasher from the strong side wing.
The points in the paint they do get will either be due to being active on the offensive glass or because their toes are in the painted area while they take a jumper from the high post.