Women's Basketball Battles Villanova on Friday
1/8/2015 2:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. - In a battle of the top two teams in the NCAA at taking care of the basketball, the Creighton women's squad hosts Villanova on Friday, Jan. 9 at 7:00 p.m.
1/9: - Villanova (7-7, 2-1 BIG EAST) at Creighton (8-7, 1-3 BIG EAST) - 7:05 p.m.
Video: BIG EAST Digital Network
Brad Burwell (Play-by-Play) & Rob Simms (Color Analyst) -
http://www.foxsports.com/foxsportsgo/
Radio: 1620 AM:
Jake Ryan (Play-by-Play) & Jerrod Ingram (Color Analyst) -
http://player.streamtheworld.com/_players/nrgmedia/player_gla1.php?callsign=KOZNAM
Stats:
http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=crei
Series with Villanova
The Bluejays and Wildcats met for the first time last season. Each team posted a victory on its home floor.
Scouting Villanova (7-7, 2-1 BIG EAST)
Hit hard by injuries early in the season, the Wildcats are getting healthy as BIG EAST play ramps up. Villanova has won four straight and five of six, including a 79-76 overtime win against DePaul on Jan. 2.
Two starters that have keyed the Wildcats improved play are Emily Leer and Katherine Coyer. Villanova's best post presence, Leer has played in the last six games (12.8 ppg) Katherine Coyer has played in nine games this season (5.8 ppg & 20 assists).
Villanova leads the NCAA in fewest turnovers per game this season, a category the Wildcats also dominated last year. The Wildcats spread the ball around and have multiple threats from beyond the arc, averaging over nine treys per contest.
Defensively Villanova is also a strong, disciplined team that allows just 55.5 points per game. Four time this season the Wildcats have limited their opponents to under 50 points and have only allowed 70+ twice.
Keys to the Game w/Villanova:
- Create extra possessions on the glass: Villanova averages just 33.7 rebounds per game. As disciplined as the Wildcats are, Creighton must take advantage on the boards.
- Contest shots: Villanova is a very good jump shooting team. The Bluejays must contest every shot and keep Villanova out of a rhythm.
- Take care of the basketball: Both teams are among the top teams in the country in this area, but that means turnovers will be costly.
Flan Not Fond of the Quick Inning
Coming off consecutive conference losses, the Bluejays have not dropped three straight
conference games since the 2011-12 season. Still a member of the Missouri Valley at that time, Creighton fell to Drake, Missouri State and Wichita State from Dec. 31 - Jan. 8.
