Villanova expects a pitched battle against Wisconsin
BUFFALO - Wisconsin consistently has been known as one of the top defensive teams in college basketball over the years, and that hasn't changed this season.
BUFFALO - Wisconsin consistently has been known as one of the top defensive teams in college basketball over the years, and that hasn't changed this season.
But when you compare its numbers with those of Villanova, not usually considered at the same level at the defensive end as the Badgers, it could look like a pretty even game when the two teams meet Saturday at KeyBank Center in the second round of the NCAA East Regional.
The Wildcats (32-3), the overall No. 1 seed, have won some important games with defense, including their 55-53 win over Seton Hall in last week's Big East tournament semifinals, in which they limited the Pirates to 40.7 percent shooting. Mount St. Mary's managed just 36.8 percent from the field in 'Nova's first-round win Thursday night.
"I think we've gotten better toward the end of the year," Villanova coach Jay Wright said Friday after his team's practice. "I think in that Seton Hall game, our defense saved us. We couldn't score. I think [Thursday] night, second half, our defense saved us. We take pride in it.
"We play a lot different defensively than Wisconsin and we take more chances. We trap more, we press more. We change up defenses more. They are really, really solid and physical, and locked in. It's different styles, it really is."
The eighth-seeded Badgers (26-9), who are seeking a Sweet 16 berth for the fourth straight year, are 11th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 61.8 points per game. They limit opponents to 41.1 percent shooting, and rank eighth in defensive efficiency as compiled by Kenpom.com, allowing 91.8 points per 100 possessions.
The Wildcats are close in all three departments, giving up 62.6 points per game (16th in the nation), allowing 41.6 percent shooting, and coming in at 11th in efficiency at 92.1 points per 100 possessions. They are better in defending the three-point shot (31.1 percent, 21st nationally) than Wisconsin (37.8 percent) and are almost even in threes allowed (7.0 to 6.8).
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard, who last succeeded longtime coach Bo Ryan, a Chester native, respects what he has seen from the Villanova defense.
"I think there's some comparisons between us and Villanova, specifically defensively," Gard said. "Just watching them, how physical they are, how they do a great job of playing a team-oriented defense, really low to the ball pretty well. Defensively they're very impressive."
The Wildcats figure to have their hands full defending the deliberate but balanced Wisconsin offense. The Badgers equaled a season high with 13 three-point baskets – eight by senior guard Bronson Koenig – in their 84-74 first-round win over Virginia Tech. They also were ferocious on the offensive boards, grabbing 17 rebounds there.
"You see how well-balanced they are," Villanova senior Josh Hart said. "I think that's the biggest thing. If a team is just all post game, and you're able to kind of shut down their post game, you can kind of have an easier route. But they're so well-balanced. It's going to be a challenge."
As for Wisconsin's inside game, senior forward Darryl Reynolds said the issue is the discipline and decision-making capabilities of the Badgers' big men.
"It's easy to play a guy when he has one or two moves," Reynolds said. "But when you have guys who can do several things, it makes it more difficult. What this time of year brings, you're dealing with versatile teams, you're dealing with versatile players, and that's why they're here."
Villanova must dig in for a low-scoring, grind-it-out game. The Wildcats have been held to fewer than 70 points eight times, and have a 6-2 record in such games. They are 5-3 in the eight contests in which they've shot less than 44 percent. And they're 22-0 when allowing 65 points or fewer.
Wright looks for a low-scoring game, although he admits, "I wish it wouldn't be that way."
"I think they're going to be able to do that to us," he said. "I learned over the years that you can try, but against those real good teams, it usually doesn't work. You better figure out how to play in their grind."
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