Villanova at Butler Preview

       Butler and Villanova matchup for the second time this season on Sunday afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse. 

   

       The Bulldogs and Wildcats first squared off back on December 16th at The Pavilion on the campus of Villanova in Philadelphia. The game was won by the Wildcats 85-66 in what was Jay Wright's 800th career victory as a head coach. Villanova was led in that game by senior guard Colin Gillespie and sophomore forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl who each scored 18 points. Butler was led by senior guard Jair Bolden who scored 18 points for the Bulldogs. Butler also had double figure scorers in senior Aaron Thompson and freshman Chuck Harris who scored 14 and 12 points respectively. Butler led the game early but a flurry of Villanova runs late in the first half and the second half propelled the Wildcats to victory. Butler put up a very valiant effort despite the circumstances. Butler was coming off a 21 day layoff due to covid protocols within the program and had multiple players out with injuries. 

    Butler comes into Sunday's game with some momentum. After defeating Seton Hall last Wednesday evening, Butler looks to add some more Hinkle magic and finish the home schedule with another possible upset victory to try to salvage something out of a disappointing season overall. Butler will have some extra motivation with this Sunday being senior day at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Butler will need seniors Jair Bolden and Bryce Nze to have big games on Sunday in a chance for an upset over Villanova. Bolden had a big game against Villanova back in December and had an outstanding game last Wednesday vs Seton Hall. Nze is coming off a double-double performance against Seton Hall. Both players will most likely have to score in double figures again on Sunday for Butler to keep pace with the Wildcats. Butler will need to push the tempo offensively and look to take advantage on the inside with Nze and Bryce Golden to create contact to attempt to draw fouls and get to the free throw line. and defensively will need to be aware of Villanova's three point shooting. The Wildcats are the best three point shooting team in the Big East at 37 percent overall and they make the most three pointers in the conference at nearly 10 made per game. Butler has done well at defending the three point shot the last two games vs Xavier and Seton Hall but Villanova is a much more difficult task with shooters like Colin Gillespie and Jeremiah Moore and James Robinson-Earl. Nova has plenty of shooters who can spot up and knock them down from anywhere on the court. Butler will have their hands full on Sunday if they aren't able to contain the Wildcats three point shooting. 

    For Villanova to come out with a victory on Sunday, it will have to be defensively to shut down Butler's guards Jair Bolden and Chuck Harris. Bolden leads the Bulldogs in three point percentage and Harris leads the team in scoring at 12 points per game. Villanova created mismatches the first game back in December by switching off on both Bolden and Harris which created more advantages for Villanova. They will need to limit Butler's possessions offensively as best as possible. Look for double teams on Bolden or Harris to try to force Butler's hand in making somebody else shoot the ball. This Butler team isn't the best at scoring so if Villanova can cut off the Bulldogs penetration into the lane and make Butler move the ball around more frequently, then the Wildcats have a great chance at winning this game. On the offensive side of the ball, look for Villanova to take advantage of their main weapon, the three point shot. Colin Gillespie and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl made Butler pay for the first game in December and both made several three pointers. Look for Nova to run sets to get these two open on the wings to have opportunities at three pointers. If Villanova can get their three pointers to fall early in this game, this could be a long day for Butler and an easy coast for Villanova. 

    Butler is looking for some more Hinkle magic in their recent history against Villanova. Butler has beaten the Wildcats in three of their past four meetings at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Wildcats come into Sunday's contest as the eighth ranked team in the country. Last time the eighth ranked team played at Hinkle Fieldhouse was when Creighton was ranked eighth back in January and the Bulldogs came away with the upset. Butler looks to send off their seniors with another upset win at Hinkle and end the home portion of the season with a bang. Villanova looks to add to their NCAA Tournament resume and carry more momentum as March approaches where everybody knows the Wildcats will be a dangerous opponent for anybody in the tournament. Second meeting of Butler and Villanova happens Sunday afternoon at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.