Connecticut visited Villanova in what was set to be a battle of Big East opponents. Connecticut jumped out to a 11-0 lead on the Wildcats. Villanova, however, would not just give in and fought back to hold a 18-16 lead with 5:27 to go in the 1st half. Not to be undone the Huskies then went on yet another 11-0 run to hold a 27-18 lead with 1:57 remaining in the half. Villanova fought back to only trail 29-24 at the half. The 2nd half was a battle of wills as the teams traded blows with a couple lead changes and runs that were answered until the Huskies came out on top 66-65.
Lets take a look at a couple plays/actions from the teams
Villanova - BLOB Double Screen Slip
Villanova ran a baseline out of bounds play in which the shooter screened a player to the basket and then received a double screen to the corner. In this particular play the screener then slipped to the basket for an easy dunk.
Connecticut - Tight Curl Action
Connecticut used a tight curl and at some points almost circle action to get players open on the perimeter. The player curling would usually cut to the rim pulling a defender allowing their teammate to cut to the ball. In some instances it was a tight curl basket cut on the first screen of a double screen allowing the screener to then go off the second screen to the ball.
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