tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609450545815012880.post3993802826476570377..comments2023-10-26T02:21:09.121-06:00Comments on Hoya Prospectus: Recap: Georgetown 103, Villanova 90Brian Lernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844052204506883915noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609450545815012880.post-68048454313750866592010-02-07T11:19:51.882-07:002010-02-07T11:19:51.882-07:00No need to apologize Brian. My observation about M...No need to apologize Brian. My observation about Mike Stephens was simply an observation and nothing more. Stephens has worked 5 Villanova games this season, more than usual for him (an observation, not an accusation) and more than most refs who do Villanova games.<br /><br />For the past 3-4 seasons Villanova's defensive profile featured a favorable turnover rate (high for opponent, low for Villanova), combined with strong defensive rebounding and, frankly, poor shot defense on the perimeter. Jon Wallace dismantled Villanova from beyond the arc the last time he played against the Wildcats (BET, 2008), hitting 5 of 6 3 point attempts. This season Villanova's defensive profile has changed. While the team continues to rebound well (a surprise given the graduation of Anderson, Cunningham and Clark), their shot defense improved substantially. The defensive turnover rate is down, but fouling is up, substantially. For many games that has not been a problem since Villanova's offense creates contact as a byproduct of isolation plays, pick-n-rolls and screens that provide the guards opportunities to get into the lane. The Wildcats are fine with contact, something that definitely bothers other teams, particularly those who generate their offense from the perimenter. Historically the Wildcats have enjoyed a shooting opportunity advantage at the free throw line. This season, that offensive advantage has been neutralized by fouling on defense, and yesterday I saw the worst of both defenses -- ineffective perimeter defense coupled with a high number of fouls.<br /><br />Different referee styles are part of the game, much like opponent's different playing styles. Teams have to observe and adjust. Villanova did not, and that's part of the game. Good luck the rest of the season.greyCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08205379240405158462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609450545815012880.post-60499125194893914212010-02-07T07:51:14.517-07:002010-02-07T07:51:14.517-07:00Sorry greyCat, but those fouls (and technical) had...Sorry <b>greyCat</b>, but those fouls (and technical) had nothing to do with who was reffing, so long as it was an experienced crew. The technical was clearly done intentionally by Wright to try to wake up his team and intimidate the officials.<br /><br />At the half, the fouls were 14-10 Nova-G'town [<i>I believe the official scorer incorrectly recorded a foul on Reynolds at 7:50</i>] - only a 4 foul differential. The second half split (23-10) was due to a desperate team trying to leverage an asset to get back in the game. All of the called fouls (and there were probably another 37 Villanova fouls that were ignored) were simply Wright's game plan - make the game a hack-fest and get into the Hoya bench.<br /><br />It worked in that Chris Wright was rendered ineffective in the second half and the Hoyas became increasingly passive on offense for a good chunk of the half. It didn't work in that the Hoyas, especially Vaughn and Monroe, made their free throws.<br /><br />Of course, it should also be said that Jason Clark is not likely to make his first 6 3FGAs again anytime soon.<br /><br />Cheers!Brian Lernerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00844052204506883915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609450545815012880.post-1232708974387972352010-02-06T19:52:17.284-07:002010-02-06T19:52:17.284-07:00Yes, the FTA/FGA stat caught my eye too. An intere...Yes, the FTA/FGA stat caught my eye too. An interesting coincidence that one of the refs on that crew also ref'ed Villanova's other loss. And he was also in the crew that gave Coach Wright his only other T this season.<br /><br />Hoya 3 point shooting was phenomenal. A very sizable edge that Villanova could not overcome. Note the change in gameplan for the second half, as Villanova took 21 attempts from beyond the arc, an unusually high number for Villanova, and dictated largely by the margin Georgetown into the locker room at the half.greyCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08205379240405158462noreply@blogger.com