Villanova basketball is back in the Wells Fargo Center, this time to take on Xavier Keep reading Read more for a full Villanova vs Xavier prediction and preview.
The last time the two teams met this season, Xavier defeated Villanova, 69-63, at home on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The Wildcats struggled to get their offense in a rhythm. Villanova could lean on its defense to lead the Musketeers at halftime, 32-24. In the end, Villanova could not retain its lead late in the game.
General Information:
Teams: Villanova (13-10, 6-6 Big East) and Creighton (14-9, 6-6 Big East)
Tip-Off Time: Noon EST
Watch: FS1
Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
Latest on Xavier basketball:
Xavier has recently gone through a tough gauntlet of games that included wins over UConn and Georgetown.
Junior guard Ryan Conwell sealed the game for Xavier in its previous meeting with Villanova. Conwell scored 13 of Xavier’s last 14 points. Villanova had no way of stopping his hot hand.
Conwell currently averages 16 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He is shooting 42.1% on field goals and 38.6% on three-pointers.
Xavier is a strong three-point shooting team. The Musketeers are shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc, ranking 18th in the country. Villanova has struggled with perimeter defense this season and Xavier will lean into that to find scoring opportunities.
Graduate forward Zach Freemantle is a huge piece for Xavier. He leads the team in both scoring and rebounding with 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Freemantle’s 7.2 rebounds per game ranks fourth in the Big East.
Xavier is the second-best free throw shooting team in the Big East behind Villanova (80.4%). The Musketeers have averaged 78.2% from the charity stripe.
Latest on Villanova basketball:
Villanova has had a rollercoaster of a season. From being on the bubble to now almost not having any chance at an at-large bid, the rest of the Wildcats’ season is unknown.
As the team takes it game-by-game, every game has almost now become a must-win to gather up any chance at a tournament appearance.
Villanova is coming off a 59-49 road win against DePaul on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The Wildcats have had an efficient offense all season yet could not score at a high volume against the Blue Demons or in their last few games.
Graduate forward Eric Dixon has been limited offensively, averaging 16.3 points over his last three games. Before those three contests, Dixon was averaging 24.9 points per game this season. Dixon scoring on average eight fewer points per game has hurt Villanova. Three of the Wildcats’ last five losses have been decided by six or fewer points.
The Wildcat defense has stepped up as late but is not perfect. Villanova held DePaul to its lowest-scoring game of the season with just 49 points. KenPom has ranked Villanova’s defensive efficiency as low as 181st this season. Entering the game against Xavier, Villanova is 129th by KenPom in defensive efficiency. It is a step in the right direction.