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Two BE games on Wednesday night...

8pm, DePaul at Marquette. FS1.
8:30pm, Villanova at Seton Hall. CBS-SN.

Enjoy!

As a Villanova fan, I view this as the 2nd-toughest game remaining on our schedule (with the road game at Providence a close 3rd). They always play us tough. Ochefu always dominates in these games for Villanova, but he's also a little banged up, which obviously helps out the Hall.

The next three games will be critical for Marquette (if they have any hope to compete for an NCAA tournament spot). We face DePaul, St. Johns and Stetson. While all three games will be favored, a loss in any of the three effectively eliminates postseason chances (unless a miraculous BE tournament win).

We should take nothing for granted. DePaul has been competitive in each Big East game thus far, and have actually shown tremendous improvement under Leitao's tutelage. Force anyone other than Garrett to beat you (Cain or Hamilton or Henry). Don't let him dictate control of the game.

Looking forward to a fun night of basketball.

Trap game for nova. Nobody should be surprised if the cats lose tonight.

wouldn't call it a trap game. This is the 2nd toughest game of the season left for Nova- only the Xavier rematch is tougher.

To me, more of a trap game is actually Saturday vs PC. If it's able to get played.

stever20 wrote:wouldn't call it a trap game. This is the 2nd toughest game of the season left for Nova- only the Xavier rematch is tougher.

To me, more of a trap game is actually Saturday vs PC. If it's able to get played.

agree with Macknova and Steverrr. SH isn't a trap game and regardless of location Villanova should win this game. This is the 2nd toughest game of the season left for Nova- only the Creighton rematch is tougher.

NovaBall wrote:Trap game for nova. Nobody should be surprised if the cats lose tonight.

So in another thread you said "Wtf X!!! A home loss to Georgetown? No more slip ups!"

But now you don't want anyone to be surprised if nova loses to Seton Hall?

I wouldn't call it a trap game. Nova's lost 3 of their last 4 road/neutral court games against the Hall and nobody's beaten the cats more since realignment (Creighton also beat them twice, but in the same year and Gtown is the only other to beat them at all). My point is, I'm sure they know this so there's no way Villanova is overlooking Seton Hall.

At the same time, Willard seems to know what he's doing against Nova and the SHU sophs won't be intimidated, having beaten them before. VU is certainly the favorite, but it could go either way.

RedStormHoops wrote:

NovaBall wrote:Trap game for nova. Nobody should be surprised if the cats lose tonight.

So in another thread you said "Wtf X!!! A home loss to Georgetown? No more slip ups!"

But now you don't want anyone to be surprised if nova loses to Seton Hall?

You do understand that tonight's game is AT SHU and last night's game was AT X? Both a little different...

Should be a spirited game. Both very good defensively. SHU coming off a big win @ PC. Nova has shown the ability to throw one BIG stinker in there every year. Two years ago vs. the CU Wragge-ers, and last year vs. G'town. Could history repeat itself in this one? Possibly.

I think SHU's best bet is to hope for a loose whistle and turn it into a street fight. SHU has some great athletes and seem to just match-up well vs. The Cats physically. I think the keys to the game are:

1. Ochefu needs to be on the floor. He's had Delgado in his back pocket the last 2 years. Foul trouble or lingering injuries could limit what I think is a huge Nova advantage. Also surprised that Williard hasn't tried to double the post more vs Ochefu; he has seemed content to let Angel sink or swim. Maybe he gives him some help tonight.

2. 3 pt shooting. Nova is not a great 3 pt shooting team but they are a streaky 3 pt shooting team. If they hit at 30%+ they win tonight. If KW doubles Ochefu and Nova can swing the ball to the open man, then we may see more chuck and duck from 3. If that is the case if they hit they win by 15, if they don't...we'll see.

3. Offensive boards. Both team did well in Game 1 on the O boards. If either team can figure out how to curtail opponents O boards, they will be in very good shape in this one.

4. Consistently. Nova just keeps rolling along because--even though they are not to be confused with UNLV of the 90's who beat you with overwhelming talent-- they play great D, take care of the ball and make very few mistakes. They just kind of wear teams down in the BE. SHU, on the other hand, is a young team and at times undisciplined team. They seem to play in streaks. We saw unfocused SHU in the CU game and the 1st 10 minutes of the first Nova game. We've seen a focused SHU @ PC and the 2nd 10 minutes vs. Nova. I don't think Nova will beat themselves, so much of the outcome of this game is dependent upon whether or not KW can keep their emotions in check and devise a plan that limits turnovers and keeps them motivated and focused for 40 minutes.