Scouting Nova - The End is Here?

Coach Jay Wright and his Villanova team could be the last team USF will face this season.

Here we go USF fans, the regular season is finally over (sarcastic cheers). The 2010-2011 regular season is over for the men's team. With a record of 9-22 (3-15) they are glad it is finally over with. But they aren't done yet. The Bulls are the 15th seed in the Big East tournament and will take on the 10th seed, 19th ranked Villanova, tomorrow evening (7 PM) in New York City (Madison Square Garden).

The Bulls regular season ended Saturday with a beat down by St. John's and now the Bulls will stay in New York and prepare for another brutal game. The Bulls offense has disappeared in games and the team has struggled to stop anyone at the other end. Now they have to face another ranked team and are simply hoping to hang around in this one and not get blown out.

Villanova has struggled lately, but is still one of the better teams in the Big East. Senior guard Corey Fisher may be out for this game as he continues to deal with a deep thigh bruise and a knee injury (having an MRI on it). Even if he can't play in this game, the Wildcats are going to be a tough match up for the Bulls. The Bulls battled Nova hard the first time the two teams faced each other on January 6th in Tampa. The Bulls lost 83 to 71, but pushed Nova for the entire game. The Bulls are hoping they can do the same again in this match up and hope to get a late season upset.

Nova enters this game scoring 72.4 points per game (ranked 74th in the country) while USF barely averages 61.7 per game (314th, that number hurts to read). The Bulls shoot .417 from the field (276th) while Nova shoot .440 (153rd). Villanova averages 37.3 rebounds per game (61st) while USF averages 36 (112th, number has been slipping lately). Nova also averages 14 assists per game (96th) while USF averages 12.5 (208th, thanks to the USF guards). Let's take a look at Villanova and seem what USF faces in this first round tournament match up. [keep reading]

Villanova is led by guard Corey Fisher. The 6'1" 185-pound senior averages 15.5 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game. Fisher is hurt right now, but is playing through the pain. It is not certain how badly he is hurt, but he is still a deadly weapon for the Bulls to handle. Fellow guard Corey Stokes (6'5" 195-pounds) injured his hamstring in the loss to Pitt. Stokes averages 14.9 points a game (43% from 3-point range) and pulls down 3.3 rebounds per game. He may not play in this game due to the injury, but Nova has plenty of firepower even without him. Guard Maalik Wayns (6'2" 185-pounds) is another high scoring player for the Wildcats. Wayns averages 13.7 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, and 4.6 assists per game. He will be a tough match up and will become a bigger scoring threat if Stokes and Fisher are injured. Forward Antonio Pena (6'8" 235-pounds) is a tough rebounder for Nova. Pena averages 10 points a game and 7.3 rebounds per game. Famous, Anderson, and Gilchrist will have to keep him off the boards and dominate the paint if the Bulls want to stand a chance in this game. Forward/center Mouphtaou Yarou (I love the name) (6'10" 250-pounds) is another rebounding threat, averaging 7.1 rebounds per game and 8.6 points per game.

Other players to watch:

Guard - Dominic Cheek - 6'6" 185-pounds - 5.8 PPG 3.6 RPG

Guard - James Bell - 6'5" 225-pounds - 2.7 PPG 1.3 RPG

Forward - Isaiah Armwood - 6'8" 205-pounds - 2.6 PPG 3.8 RPG

Outcome of the game: Sigh, it seems the Bulls have been following a pattern all season long. Lead early or play tough then simply go cold, forget to show up and get smashed in the second half. This is what is going to happen to the Bulls tomorrow night. The game will be close early and USF could lead at halftime. With Stokes and Fisher both injured, the Wildcats won't be at their best on offense and will struggle to get going. The Bulls have the advantage (size) on the boards, so Gilchrist, Anderson, and Famous should be able to get going and keep the game close. The second half will be the end of the Bulls season though. The guard play of Nova will be too much. Nova is deep at guard and everyone on their bench can drive and score. The Bulls simply don't have enough weapons to match Villanova point for point and will get outplayed easily. Crater, Noriega, Burwell, and Poland won't be able to match the speed and ability of Nova and the Wildcats will move on to the second round as the Bulls travel home and put this miserable season behind them.

Final score prediction (for the last time this season, thank goodness): Villanova 77 USF 59