Posted:
#1
Firsts things first anyone who presents either team to cover easily with no significant observance beneath the surface is a bum. Don't listen to them.
On the surface these teams nearly mirror each other. From both personnel and statistics it's difficult to find distinctions that set them apart. You need a magnifying glass to find advantage, however, advantage is present.
Versatility, optimized system, depth, efficiency one team has more of these
Write off guard play and even wing play as a wash, that's fine. You might even be tempted to think the bigs are comparable. However when one team, Villanova, has 4 or 5 men on the floor that can stretch the 3 point line it changes the dynamic for an opposing teams defense on a substantial level and exposes any lack of athletic versatility of anyone on the floor. The modernization of basketball ladies and gentleman, hope you've figured it out. Villanova has.
The perimeter/long range defense numbers are about even. And when you account for Kansas offense you'd expect a better shooting performance against Nova than is usually allowed. However when Nova has it's 5 shooting at a 45% clip from deep it changes everything. Stick Azubuike on Novas 4 (Paschall) to better close out on Spellman (Novas 5), now Nova can post up Spellman and run Paschall out to force 2 mismatches, you can't cover a team that shoots 5 strong without 5 athletic, rangy defenders.
Lastly, this line is a keen doing by the big wigs behind the keyboards. ESPN and large media outlets feed us blue bloods like Kansas down our throats while Nova and the Big East are left quiet. The common man doesn't see the reality that's been stirring, Villanova has caught up and surpassed most of these media dubbed big guys. When people that haven't caught up see big time Kansas as a 5 point underdog to oft forgotten Nova they are riding with KU. What do the books like? Money... Do the math.
Don't get me wrong, 2 of Newman, Graham and Svi could go berzerk and force Novas hand, but that's what it will take. More ways than not this one goes to the Cats.
On the surface these teams nearly mirror each other. From both personnel and statistics it's difficult to find distinctions that set them apart. You need a magnifying glass to find advantage, however, advantage is present.
Versatility, optimized system, depth, efficiency one team has more of these
Write off guard play and even wing play as a wash, that's fine. You might even be tempted to think the bigs are comparable. However when one team, Villanova, has 4 or 5 men on the floor that can stretch the 3 point line it changes the dynamic for an opposing teams defense on a substantial level and exposes any lack of athletic versatility of anyone on the floor. The modernization of basketball ladies and gentleman, hope you've figured it out. Villanova has.
The perimeter/long range defense numbers are about even. And when you account for Kansas offense you'd expect a better shooting performance against Nova than is usually allowed. However when Nova has it's 5 shooting at a 45% clip from deep it changes everything. Stick Azubuike on Novas 4 (Paschall) to better close out on Spellman (Novas 5), now Nova can post up Spellman and run Paschall out to force 2 mismatches, you can't cover a team that shoots 5 strong without 5 athletic, rangy defenders.
Lastly, this line is a keen doing by the big wigs behind the keyboards. ESPN and large media outlets feed us blue bloods like Kansas down our throats while Nova and the Big East are left quiet. The common man doesn't see the reality that's been stirring, Villanova has caught up and surpassed most of these media dubbed big guys. When people that haven't caught up see big time Kansas as a 5 point underdog to oft forgotten Nova they are riding with KU. What do the books like? Money... Do the math.
Don't get me wrong, 2 of Newman, Graham and Svi could go berzerk and force Novas hand, but that's what it will take. More ways than not this one goes to the Cats.
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