Villanova fan here looking forward to a great game.

[hoonieboy]

First things first I don't know much about your team, so maybe you guys can give me some insight.

All I got from your team was doing a quick google search. You got a very big team it looks like. McNeese State or not 20 rebounds is impressive. As for us.... Of course as Nova always is with the exception of having Ochefu the past few years we are guard oriented. We have NO Size this year. We kind of got screwed by the NCAA with Omari Spellman (5star freshman) being ruled ineligible this year. I won't go into much detail, look it up if you like..Reynolds is a tough guy and plays hard but he is no threat to score...NONE at all besides maybe a putback...Maybe. then again there is no reason for him to be either with the other 4 guys on the court. After him you will probably see Paschall at the 5 and even Jenkins maybe...which means Purdue is going to have a massive advantage. they are both 6'6. We have a couple other freshmen, but don't expect them to play unless we are getting absolutely trashed on the boards. (possible). While we don't have the size, Nova usually rebounds by committee....everybody hits the boards. That's another reason Jay only goes after tough physical guards anymore. Brunson, Booth, Hart, DiVincenzo will all mix it up. all good sized guards, strong. I see this game as the Nova guards vs the Purdue bigs. I want to know more about your guards and how good your bigs are inside (do they have legit post moves,,etc)

Oh and guys yes I remember a few years ago when the refs practically gave us a game vs you. Alot has changed since then obviously, but just want all of you to know I remember. lol....good luck to Purdue and let's hope for a great game and that we make each other better for the long run.

 

[klmLB]

Welcome to the board and looking forward to the game as well.

Biggie Swanigan is legit. He's not super athletic in terms of jumping out of the gym (though he's improved himself immensely the last couple years), but he is a wide body, not afraid of contact and uses his frame very well to create enough space for himself. If he's 15 feet and in, he has a good shot and finishing touch. He has a nose for rebounds as well.

Haas is our center and above average skill for a big guy. Good shooter and finisher down low. He's strong and massive. However, when he gets going in one direction, it's hard for him to stay balanced and change direction. So, if your forwards have some head fakes and moves, they can find space down low. He's entering a bigger role for minutes and we're anxious to see how he handles the increased load. He performed very efficiently his first 2 years playing around 15 min per game. With AJ Hammons to the NBA, his minute ceiling is what his stamina and foul trouble permit.

Our guards are solid, skilled and smart. Good shooters, passers, etc. However, they aren't known for creating their own shot or a lot of dribble penetration. We often had an advantage in the post last year and our guards saw their scoring opportunities come from kickouts and ball movement to find the open shooters. We move the ball well and run team offense. That said, our freshman, Carsen Edwards offers some of these skills, but he's only a freshman and hard to say what kind of performance he may have against the #4 Wildcats in his 2nd collegiate game - particular against the excellent guards that you have. I'm not expecting much from Carsen on Monday, but we're happy he's a Boiler and his future is bright!

I think the Nova guards will be able to dictate the tempo of the game with your athleticism and pressure D to make us work to get into our offense and get the ball inside. I'm guess you guys will press (which gave us fits last year and was our Achilles heel... Purdue fans are interested in seeing how we do since this is our biggest weakness and something that was probably a point of emphasis in the off season). The more time our guards are facing defensive pressure creates a more challenging situation to get the ball where we want, which is in our bigs hands. If we turn it over in the press, you guys win. If we can get into our sets with enough time on the shot clock for our bigs, we have a shot. Better yet, if we can solve the press and make you pay with easy buckets, that would be heaven for us. Vince Edwards is a 6'8" wing with guard like skills that may help us with the press (as a big target to pass, catch and perhaps even handle the ball as well).

Regardless of the outcome good luck the rest of the way, I enjoyed watching your teams over the years ... sometimes snake bitten in the tourney (something we know about), which made last year's run even more special I'm sure!

 

[hoonieboy]

thanks @klmLB

a rundown on our players

PG - Brunson.....very smart, good shooter with a great handle and ability to pass. Ideal PG honestly...son of a former NBA player

SG - Booth....smooth jumpshot either catch n shoot or 1 dribble pull up....good off the bounce not great....plays big n big games. ok defender.

SF - Hart.......mr do everything. can shoot, can drive, can defend, can rebound, can pass. he really gets after it. he won't cross the man who's guarding him, he's more of a straight drive n finish kind of guy. really good athleticism...his handle is good enough...its not great, but works in college

PF - Jenkins.......really heady player, knows the game well.....range for days...has nice in between game. I think opponents sometimes sleep on him, because of how he looks. atleast until that first 3 goes in.

C - Reynolds....lunch pail kind of player. defense and rebounding are his first priorities. little to no offensive game....but fights n battles all game long....

Bench

F - Bridges.......the best NBA prospect we have.....freakish length and quickness at 6'7...good all around the board too (shooting, dribbling, rebounding, passing), he always plays within his self which I love the most. never tries to do too much.

G - DiVincenzo....the most athletic guy on the team and can really shoot it....plays very hard also

F - Paschall........inside out big.....decent outside shot, he will need to make teams respect it this year....good athleticism...since he plays alot of 4 and 5 for us, he's a bigtime mismatch for players guarding him. has a good handle. but to a team like Purdue your size also has a mismatch back.


yes alot of praise for us........not trying to toot our horn...but pretty much what you expect of a top 5 team in the country and with 6 guys returning from last year's team.

 

[Dakota Girl]

thanks @klmLB

a rundown on our players

PG - Brunson.....very smart, good shooter with a great handle and ability to pass. Ideal PG honestly...son of a former NBA player

SG - Booth....smooth jumpshot either catch n shoot or 1 dribble pull up....good off the bounce not great....plays big n big games. ok defender.

SF - Hart.......mr do everything. can shoot, can drive, can defend, can rebound, can pass. he really gets after it. he won't cross the man who's guarding him, he's more of a straight drive n finish kind of guy. really good athleticism...his handle is good enough...its not great, but works in college

PF - Jenkins.......really heady player, knows the game well.....range for days...has nice in between game. I think opponents sometimes sleep on him, because of how he looks. atleast until that first 3 goes in.

C - Reynolds....lunch pail kind of player. defense and rebounding are his first priorities. little to no offensive game....but fights n battles all game long....

Bench

F - Bridges.......the best NBA prospect we have.....freakish length and quickness at 6'7...good all around the board too (shooting, dribbling, rebounding, passing), he always plays within his self which I love the most. never tries to do too much.

G - DiVincenzo....the most athletic guy on the team and can really shoot it....plays very hard also

F - Paschall........inside out big.....decent outside shot, he will need to make teams respect it this year....good athleticism...since he plays alot of 4 and 5 for us, he's a bigtime mismatch for players guarding him. has a good handle. but to a team like Purdue your size also has a mismatch back.


yes alot of praise for us........not trying to toot our horn...but pretty much what you expect of a top 5 team in the country and with 6 guys returning from last year's team.

Of course as was discussed earlier in this thread, we will see how our guards deal with yours, but I am most interested in how our 4 does defending your 4. To me that was our defensive weakness last season and I am very anxious to see how Swanigan handles it this year. I feel we will be able score IF we can consistently get into the half court offense without being pushed too far out. It's the D against four guards that worries me.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

Of course as was discussed earlier in this thread, we will see how our guards deal with yours, but I am most interested in how our 4 does defending your 4. To me that was our defensive weakness last season and I am very anxious to see how Swanigan handles it this year. I feel we will be able score IF we can consistently get into the half court offense without being pushed too far out. It's the D against four guards that worries me.

I agree about defending the 4. Plus, Jenkins, Hart, and Brunson are going to be a handful and then some. VE and CS are really going to need to be active and can hopefully can stay out of foul trouble. I know CMP has been emphasizing the guards trying to keep everyone in front and not getting easy access to the rim....easier said than done.

This is a really good test for Purdue and should pay-off down the line, win or lose.

 

[77 grad]

I am enjoying this exchange. Good, honest appraisals by Villanova fans, knowing their team is outstanding, yet respectful of our very good team too. Wish we could all be as classy as that.

 

[nagemj02]

I am enjoying this exchange. Good, honest appraisals by Villanova fans, knowing their team is outstanding, yet respectful of our very good team too. Wish we could all be as classy as that.

Winning and/or coming off of a national championship season helps in getting the best out of most fans. However, I agree that hoonieboy gave an even-handed analysis.

 

[punaj]

Coach Painter on Nova... Seven minutes video.

https://purdue.rivals.com/news/goldandblack-com-video-matt-painter-on-2

 

[Novachp]

Insightful video, he seems to really get it. always thought he was a pretty decent coach. clearly, you will be prepared.

I mentioned before that I was really looking forward to this game, what a great test of contrasting styles. having it at your place makes it even more of a test. honestly, would not be too surprised if you guys win. I am not sure system wise we will be ready to defend the post as well as we will by end of the year That being said, still like our chances, particularly if the shots are falling. best of luck, will be fun!

 

[tjreese]

First things first I don't know much about your team, so maybe you guys can give me some insight.

All I got from your team was doing a quick google search. You got a very big team it looks like. McNeese State or not 20 rebounds is impressive. As for us.... Of course as Nova always is with the exception of having Ochefu the past few years we are guard oriented. We have NO Size this year. We kind of got screwed by the NCAA with Omari Spellman (5star freshman) being ruled ineligible this year. I won't go into much detail, look it up if you like..Reynolds is a tough guy and plays hard but he is no threat to score...NONE at all besides maybe a putback...Maybe. then again there is no reason for him to be either with the other 4 guys on the court. After him you will probably see Paschall at the 5 and even Jenkins maybe...which means Purdue is going to have a massive advantage. they are both 6'6. We have a couple other freshmen, but don't expect them to play unless we are getting absolutely trashed on the boards. (possible). While we don't have the size, Nova usually rebounds by committee....everybody hits the boards. That's another reason Jay only goes after tough physical guards anymore. Brunson, Booth, Hart, DiVincenzo will all mix it up. all good sized guards, strong. I see this game as the Nova guards vs the Purdue bigs. I want to know more about your guards and how good your bigs are inside (do they have legit post moves,,etc)

Oh and guys yes I remember a few years ago when the refs practically gave us a game vs you. Alot has changed since then obviously, but just want all of you to know I remember. lol....good luck to Purdue and let's hope for a great game and that we make each other better for the long run.

enjoyed the comments by all and will add a few that haven't directly been discussed. First, I don't know Villanova, but always considered the Villanova/Georgetown game the most perfect game I have seen...and still shake my head with how good Dwayne McClain played on coke. What little I've read it appears two teams of contrast. I'm guessing Villanova will want to make Purdue make mistakes...whether in half court D, traps or presses on D and will have patience on the O hopeful for a mental breakdown by Purdue when on D. If the ball gets into half court...how much time is left on the clock? Purdue will want a slugfest and if Biggie is allowed a little latitude with an offensive push he is a handful. Biggie does what every coach wants a player to do when teh D "moves"...and that is to move into him and take up the slack as the foul is on the D and the O is now closer. Biggie is a made player that in all the video I've seen this year is wearing sweats while the others are in shorts. If Biggie is allowed to play all the minutes he can that will be huge as he is more athletic and smarter this year. He also has really good chemistry with Carsen a freshmen guard that no doubt will be pumped. So, will Villanova double down and play behind giving up some perimeter shots that maybe bounce long to start teh break for Villanova or do they deny up front...pressure the guards and use the reduced clock to make it harder to feed the low post? I suspect deny first and adjust.


Purdue needs to keep Villanova in front and make them hit contested shots. It will be crucial that on the second rotation for Purdue to block out when Villanova penetrates and pulls Haas or Biggie to them. In all Vince would be the obvious person, but unsure who the shooters are that Purdue will need to hug more than others. Obviously if Villanova penetrates and helps comes and rotations begin that long bounces must really be closed out. Two different teams...how to the particular refs view the way basketball "should" be played will shade to perimeter and quickness or inside and strength...or vice versa?


I'm not sure anyone has mentioned Purdue is VERY lean up front and so if Villanova faces up and drives the ball with their 4 or 5 and soft fouls are called...Purdue is minus a 6'10" that would have backed up Haas and perhaps some of Biggie. Biggie will come out with fire. He knows the pro scouts will be there and this game could arouse enough interest to enhance his meal ticket...course he could try too hard. Purdue on the whole is not a very athletic team...lots of D1 teams have more athletic players, but Purdue has enough athleticism to be good enough. Purdue "can pass" the ball and I have never seen a team be good that couldn't pass the ball. That is a skill missed by many. Purdue only really has Carsen as a 1 or 2 that can get to the rim and finish. PJ has a nice stroke but his shooting pocket is very low and so he has to have some space and not a real threat to drive the ball unless the bigs seal and he is over played. Dakota has the ability to hit the three and adds to that an in-between game. He won't break you down with speed, but is the best passer on the team. I really like the little things he does to get a better angle...the extra work to make that pass. Vince is a 6'8" decent athlete and very sound is ALL areas of the game. His numbers may be quiet, but they are effective. Basil will be in his first game this year and sat out all of last year. Basil has decent strength and a good athlete. Sometimes he settles on a jump shot and can drive the ball. He needs to bring energy and force Villanova to get up and down the court while trying to get some garbage baskets and quick downs. I think Haas has been touched on relative to his skill and cargo he has to move. Quick digs do bother Haas as he needs to just grab the ball within a few feet and lean up and in to the basket for every possible dunk. Cheap fouls have softened his post moves. I haven't been happy with any starts by Purdue this year. They are still trying to figure out the roles and adjusting. I imagine I'll be sitting in the stands and wanting more of a vertical game when I see Villanova deny down low and provide pressure on the perimeter rather than so much ball reversal Purdue continues to do even when the pressure increases.


If Purdue is able to get short shots, eliminate long boards and be efficient on the O...preventing quick downs, transitions and forcing Villanova to play against Purdue's half court D that will be Purdue's priority rather than hoping to win on the perimeter. Last year Butler made it difficult for Haas with their hand quickness. Purdue has the "pieces" that when clicking could be very, very good...but it appears to me they are still figuring out things. I look for a great game. BTW, I think you were talking about an old game with Purdue where Purdue led almost the whole game and Byrd tried to rip through the ball on a trap in the side line and softly grazed a head of a Villanova player that turned the game to Villanova if I remember correctly. Ripping the ball through was taught for many years.

...and add on edit here. Other than Haas, anyone that gets a rebound can push the ball and so Purdue is capable of putting pressure on the D as well...