3 Keys To Villanova's Success Vs. Oklahoma
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- NRG Stadium, home of this weekend's Final Four games, seats 70,000-plus.
One assistant coach told Yahoo Sports that it's "tough place to shoot because of the elevated floor and open background." In the South Regional at NRG last year, the teams combined to shoot 26.7 percent from three-point range in the three games.
This, surprisingly, could actually benefit Villanova in their Saturday 6:09 p.m. matchup vs. Oklahoma.
Here are the three keys to the game:
3. Slow down Buddy Hield
Buddy is averaging about 30 points per game in the NCAA Tournament. He's shooting 50.4% FG / 46.5% 3FG / 88.0% FT on the season. The defensive-friendly arena will hopefully, for Nova's sake, aid in slowing down Hield.
2. Get Daniel Ochefu going early and often
Poor shooting gym? Work it inside to the big man. Ochefu, 6-11, 245, is averaging 10.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He's shooting over 62-percent on two-point field goals, making about four shots per game. Ochefu needs 10-plus shot attempts on Saturday.
1. Create havoc
Villanova shot 40-percent from the field and 4-18 from deep en route to their South Regional Final win over Kansas. So what you say? Well, they proved they can win an ugly, defensive oriented game. And that's exactly what they want on Saturday.
Nova averages nine steals per game to Oklahoma's five. Nova's senior leader and point-guard Ryan Arcidiacono averages 4.3 assists-1.5 turnovers per game, while adding 1.4 steals per game and shooting 83% from the charity stripe.
Nova shot 18-19 from the foul line in both of their last two games.
They are quick, they are deep, the take care of the ball, they force turnovers, they rebound, and they make foul shots. That seems like a recipe for success, and is certainly more conducive in NRG Stadium than relying on jump shots.