Final Score: Villanova Outlasts La Salle 76-69 In Overtime
by Chris Lane on Nov 15, 2011 9:35 PM EST
in Basketball Game Recaps
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PrintThe Villanova Wildcats grinded out an early season win against Big 5 rivals La Salle Explorers 76-69 in overtime at The Pavilion. Here is the box score. Maalik Wayns (22 points, 9 rebounds), Dominic Cheek (18 points, 8 rebounds), Mouphtaou Yarou (10 points, 14 rebounds), James Bell (15 points and a couple of huge 3's) and yes, Maurice Sutton, were all outstanding at different key stretches for the 'Cats.
In one of the ugliest 1st half displays that I can remember (other than Mouph's rebounding prowess), Villanova somehow still found itself in the game despite going 0-12 from downtown and committing 4 or 5 offensive fouls (to be fair, a few were downright incorrect). Combine that with 13 turnovers and 5 freshman seeing action, and you had a recipe for disaster.
'Nova also had trouble containing Sam Mills, who at one point was 4-4 from beyond the arc to help stretch out La Salle's lead.
Despite all that went against them, Villanova used a 6-0 run in the closing seconds of the 1st half to cut the lead to 5 and trail 31-26 at the half.
More after The Jump.
The 'Cats started the second half brightly, quickly erasing the halftime deficit behind strong play from Mouph Yarou. But La Salle was resilient and eventually fought back to take a late 5 point lead with just a couple of minutes remaining. But then, 'Nova turned up the defense.
First, Maalik Wayns hit a HUGE 3 in transition that brought the house down and cut the La Salle lead to 2. Then, following a near-steal from Cheek, Darrun Hilliard cut into a passing lane beautifully and took it the distance for the lay-in to tie the game at 61 with about 45 seconds remaining.
Tyreek Duren, who was magnificent all game for the Explorers, had a chance at one end but was blocked and then Maalik Wayns had a chance as time wound down but was also blocked in traffic in the lane.
In overtime, it was all Villanova after a few misses at both ends by each team. Your hero of the overtime? Mo Sutton. Yes, Mo Sutton. I'll say it one more time - Mo Sutton was the player of the overtime, if there were such an award. His length caused La Salle fits on the offensive end as he guarded both big men and guards and his rebounding and tips proved decisive in sealing the win for 'Nova.
Wayns and Cheek combined to hit their FT's late (Wayns was 10-10 for the game and Cheek was 12-14) to lock down the win, and 'Nova was able to escape with a 76-69 win, sending The Pavilion crowd home happy.
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That was ugly...
It seems like teams have caught up with ’Nova’s offensive philosophy. They don’t really pressure defenses – too much standing around. Frankly, they haven’t been the same since that tourney loss to St. Mary’s.
11/9/11 - the day the music died.
The bitter with the better.
by Esteban d' Amur on Nov 15, 2011 9:53 PM EST reply actions
Jay needs to tell them to drive drive drive
The 3 ball is just not an option. We have guys who are really good going to the hoop. Just do that and the rest will take care of itself.
Leading Man at The Nova Blog, SB Nation's Villanova Wildcats blog.
by Chris Lane on Nov 15, 2011 10:28 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Yes and no..
I’ve noticed that teams are playing the high screen very aggresively and forcing the ball out and wide. The screener is a complete non-factor. I’d rather see them set those with more guards who can pick and pop or roll quicker to the basket. Something needs to change. The spacing seems poor and there is not enough movement on offense by guys who don’t have the ball.
11/9/11 - the day the music died.
The bitter with the better.
by Esteban d' Amur on Nov 16, 2011 7:44 AM EST up reply actions
That scenario
I think actually favors us if we do the right thing…
If Yarou is setting that high screen for Wayns and JVP/Bell/Cheek are on the wing, and we pass it there, it leaves the baseline wide open.
All 3 of those guys have shown they have that quick first step to drive from that area with a defender closing out on them. Last night they were either drawing a quick foul, finishing, or taking a dumb charge. Eliminate #3 and make that another pass and we’re golden.
Leading Man at The Nova Blog, SB Nation's Villanova Wildcats blog.
The screen is set too high...
needs to come below the three point line. It serves no purpose to have Yarou catch the ball 20 feet from the basket. They need more cutting by the 3 guys not involved with the screen. Too often the wing player just stands there and keeps the defender there, thus clogging the play or the wing player fails to cut quickly.
11/9/11 - the day the music died.
The bitter with the better.
by Esteban d' Amur on Nov 16, 2011 9:20 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah I don't think that back door cut is a big enough part of the offense
Or really even a part of the offense at all….but it should be
Leading Man at The Nova Blog, SB Nation's Villanova Wildcats blog.
Great point.
Ever since Foye it has been a guard dominate team. Foye, Lowry, Scottie, Fisher. It has been the point dribbling the ball for 25 seconds of the shot clock for the most part. And it seems Jay loves this. I just wish the ball would have more movement and trust other players. I understand the freshman part, but these kids will have to see minutes and need to be part of the offense. The games in Nov/Dec. are the easy ones, let these kids be involved. It always seems that the guards develop under Jay, but the rest not so much. Dante developed, but most of the 3’s, 4’s and 5’s never did.
Penn State game will be interesting. New coach and a new attitude.
Doug West being back
helps our forwards a ton. He was the main man behind Dante becoming Dante.
Leading Man at The Nova Blog, SB Nation's Villanova Wildcats blog.
Hey we're all big drinkers around here
So I understand your plight.
Leading Man at The Nova Blog, SB Nation's Villanova Wildcats blog.
I bet they are on the...
schedule sooner rather than later.
11/9/11 - the day the music died.
The bitter with the better.
by Esteban d' Amur on Nov 16, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
I liked Sutton
two years ago. Last year seemed like a step back. Nice to hear he stepped up with some energy and defense again-I think he can do a good job there.
I only watched bits, but looking at the boxscore it seems like Jay rode the starters hard, and didn’t really get much off the bench. Obviously, if that keeps up it could be a long year.
Don't make me bring out the Silky.
Yes and no
He went 9 deep in the first 8-10 minutes of the game. As the game went on and we found ourselves down late, he rode the upperclassmen, which I don’t think anyone here has a problem with. I think that’s why Mo found himself in the game instead of Kennedy in that situation.
Leading Man at The Nova Blog, SB Nation's Villanova Wildcats blog.
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