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It’s not how many games you lose, rather when you lose them. Villanova’s loss to No. 5 Xavier on Wednesday, likely drops the Wildcats from the top spot in the national rankings when the polls come out. Marquette’s mini-run has started some bubble conversation. Knocking off the No. 1 team will turn that into a discussion.
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HOW THE VILLANOVA WILDCATS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
In what has been a whacky college basketball season, it was bound to happen at least one more time before the Madness began; A No. 1 team losing a game and losing its perch atop the hoops kingdom. And so it did on Wednesday when the Wildcats were handed just their fourth loss of the year.
It’s not the end of the world and the sky is not falling. Do you remember the last team to finish a season undefeated? It was Indiana in 1976. Yep, 1976. That’s like 40 years ago. So, Villanova still is in good shape.
The Wildcats have been successful because they have a clear-cut, well-defined system – an offensive identity. It involves dribble-drives from talented guards, consistent ball movement, and a variety of pick-and-roll sets. Nova makes teams work on defense. And if they don’t, the Wildcats shred with an efficient offense.
The production can come from many sources and Daniel Ochefu has emerged as a key player. Feeding the big fella in the paint has become a recipe for success for Nova, especially when the team is slumping from beyond the arc.
HOW THE MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES CAN COVER THE SPREAD
Marquette strolled into one of the toughest arenas in the Big East and gutted out a crucial victory over Creighton on Wednesday to put itself back in the NCAA Tournament bubble conversation. The Golden Eagles swept Providence, also has a victory over Wisconsin, and now has a chance to strengthen its case with an upset of Villanova.
And that’s a hefty climb for a program that went 4-14 and tied for last in the Big East last season. And the Golden Eagles didn’t just lose. They lost bad. Coach Steve Wojciechowski has turned the program in the right direction and Marquette has a chance to end a two-year tournament drought.
Henry Ellenson is one of the best freshmen in the country and has been a big reason for the team’s success. He’s a monster in the paint and has given some of the best big men in the conference and the country fits down low.
Averaging a double-double with 16.7 points and 10.0 rebounds, Ellenson could bolt to the NBA as the Big East’s freshman of the year. Haanif Cheatham and Traci Carter are a couple of four-star freshmen guards who are delivering on their potential.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
They’re not there yet, but Marquette is progressing quicker than many expected. With an abundance of young talent, the Eagles were looking at a two-year plan. But the ascension of Ellenson into one of the top post players in the game and the rapid development of Cheatham and Carter has changed the trajectory of the Eaglet’s season. The remaining games actually mean something now. For any team with a group of youngsters who are relied upon so heavily, there are inconsistencies. And Marquette has dealt with its share. As good as wins over Providence and Wisconsin are, losses to DePaul and Georgetown are twice as bad. Villanova hasn’t dealt with erratic play. Their system, strengthened by veteran leadership, has the Wildcats poised for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Nova easily handled Marquette in the first meeting, and while this one could be closer, the result will be similar.
Villanova 78, Marquette 70
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