Nova vs Oklahoma Article

[JamesDewitt]

I think this game ultimately comes down to defense on the perimeter, containing Buddy Hield and making sure neither Woodward nor Cousins beat Nova. Read a great article on SH today to this same effect. worth a read: http://www.straighthoops.com/secure_the_perimeter.html

[Bill Marsh]

I think this game ultimately comes down to defense on the perimeter, containing Buddy Hield and making sure neither Woodward nor Cousins beat Nova. Read a great article on SH today to this same effect. worth a read: http://www.straighthoops.com/secure_the_perimeter.html

Agree that the Villanova defense has been otherworldly in this tournament. Agree that they need to continue to defend at a high level.

The point overlooked by this article is that the difference maker in this game could be Villanova's secret weapon, Daniel Ochefu, who has been shooting 67% in this tournament and has been able to score almost at will inside. He scored 17 vs Miami, shooting 7-11. Against Kansas, he hit 5-8 and every one of them was a big bucket because for the first time in the tournament, Nova wasn't hitting consistently from the perimeter. However, the threat of their outside game pulls the defenders out of the paint, leaving Ochefu able to go 1 on 1 in the middle. Against Kansas, it seemed that every time they needed a basket to stop a run, they were able to go down low to Ochefu and get the basket. I don't see anyone on Oklahoma who can stop him. If Oklahoma drops a defender inside to help with Ochefu, he is a good passer and has really good court vision and gets the ball to a the open man for a good shot.

I expect Villanova to win on Saturday.

[jckund]

Said it before and I'll say it again, team's have minimal control over 3PT% defense. They can alter the frequency of 3PT attempts... but understand that extending pressure all the way out would really open things up for Oklahoma. Kansas would have destroyed Nova in these lanes if Nova contested every three. And no mention of Nova's 2-3 zone? That was instrumental in clogging the paint...

http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog ... ponents_3p