Villanova women know defense, limiting 3-pointers key to reaching Sweet 16

With the convincing win over Cleveland State behind it, the fourth-seeded Villanova women’s basketball team turns its attention to No. 12 Florida Gulf Coast for Monday night’s game with a trip to the Sweet 16 in the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament on the line.

Defense and limiting the impact of the Eagles’ three-point shooting will be key if the Wildcats (28-6) want to make their first trip to the Sweet 16 in 20 years. The Eagles (33-3) will be looking to make their first appearance. This initial meeting between the two schools tips off at 7 p.m. at Finneran Pavilion and will be televised on ESPNU.

Simply, the Eagles like to shoot, leading the country in both three-point attempts (31.4) and three-pointers made (11.8) per game.

The Eagles have seven players who shoot above 35% from distance (minimum 75 attempts), and with a 10-person rotation, they are a dangerous matchup.

But Villanova prides itself on defense. Coach Denise Dillon has said time and again that “defense wins games.” Monday will be no different.

A majority of FGCU’s three-pointers come off a drive and kick play. The Eagles have talented guards in Emma List and Tishara Morehouse who can distribute the ball and create open shots.

“It’s just relying on a lot of the one-on-one coverage,” Dillon said. “The conversation has to be had of when we’re switching, taking up space, and getting out there to limit their threes. If we can get these guys to a mid-range game then we’re putting ourselves in a good position.”

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With missed three-point shots, plenty of long rebounds follow. The Wildcats have been solid inside on the boards with Christina Dalce and Maddy Siegrist, but rebounding at the guard positions will be crucial against FGCU.

“[Dalce], her timing is pretty good, and she gets up there for some of those rebounds, but if they’re off the back rim, we’ve got to get our guards in there right away,” Dillon said. “They have the mentality, but it has to be that reminder to get after it. We can’t afford a rebound kick out for another three. It’s got to be the one-and-done factor.”

Villanova has found success in transition this season and with long rebounds to their guards, the Wildcats will have an opportunity to exploit the Eagles.

FGCU doesn’t have anyone taller than 6-foot, while Siegrist and Dalce stand at 6-2 in the Wildcats’ starting lineup. That doesn’t discourage the Eagles.

“It’s always been heart over height,” 6-0 forward Uju Ezeudu said. “If you want to get a rebound, you’re gonna get a rebound.”

If Villanova can take advantage of its size inside while cleaning up the outside with tough guard defense, the Wildcats’ defense could very well win them another game.

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Balance may seem unnecessary with the nation’s top scorer at 29.1 points per game. But for the Wildcats, the supporting cast around Siegrist has been key.

In Saturday’s win over Cleveland State, junior Bella Runyan and sophomore Kaitlyn Orihel provided a spark off the bench with 13 and nine points, respectively. The pair have had big moments throughout this season, but they aren’t usually in those second and third spots.

Sophomore Lucy Olsen, who added nine points Saturday, is the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer at 12.2 points per game while junior Maddie Burke averaged 7.4 points and leads the team in three-pointers with 69.

Olsen has had 22 games in double figures this season, including two 20-point outings. Burke has scored in double figures 12 times, including a season-high 15 against Creighton. Villanova went 12-0 in those games.

Dillon and her staff know what they’re going to get out of Siegrist when she steps on the floor. It’s the other players around her that can elevate Villanova on both ends of the floor.

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