JEFF ALLEN GAME PREVIEW: VILLANOVA vs. OKLAHOMA
We’re down to the Final Four and the first game of the National Semifinals features a rematch between the
tournament’s two remaining No.2 seeds. Villanova (33-5) played it’s worst game of the year in a 78-55 drubbing
at the hands of Oklahoma (29-7) in one of the Dec. 7th Pearl Harbor games. The Wildcats trailed just 32-26 at the
half but shot just 4-32 from behind the arc while the Sooners were a smoking 14-26 from downtown. Villanova
never led. The Wildcats opened as -1.5 point favorites with the total set at 149 1/2. At this writing, Villanova is now
-2 while heavy under money has sent the high/low down a whopping four points to 145 1/2.
Villanova is a veteran team with a solid eight man rotation. The Wildcats are an excellent defensive team (No.1 in
the Big East, No.14 in Division I) with balanced scoring. The backcourt features Josh Hart (15.3, 6.7, 1.9) and Ryan
Arcidiacono (12.3, 2.9, 4.3). Hart shoots better than 50% from the field while Arcidiacono runs the show from the
point and is the key point man in the Nova perimeter defense. Kris Jenkins (13.5, 3.8, 2.2) and Daniel Ochefu
(10.1, 7.6, 1.7) are a formidable frontcourt but will need to avoid foul trouble here.
The Sooners feature four players that have started 100+ games together which has been a big part of their success.
Likely Wooden Award winner Buddy Hield (25.4, 5.7, 2.0) has averaged 29.7 in the tournament but can have a bad
shooting night at any time. Jordan Woodard (13.0, 3.0, 3.4) is the directs the offense and also shoots the three ball
at 46% making this guard tandem virtually unstoppable when both are on. Isiah Cousins (12.4, 4.6, 4.6) is solid
all around while Ryan Spangler (10.3, 9.8, 1.2) is the lunch pail guy that does the dirty work on the boards.
Villanova was blown out in the game in Hawaii but is looking forward to the rematch as they’ve grown as a team
tremendously playing through their Big East schedule and are a completely different team. Hield was held to 17
in the first game but the Wildcats were killed by the other four starters that all scored in double figures. That’s what
Oklahoma can do. Nova has won nine of it’s L10 with the only loss coming to Seton Hall in the Big East Tournament
final. Oklahoma has won seven of eight with the loss coming to West Virginia in the Big 12 semis in the game that
Hield was barely late in getting off a half court bank shot that went in. The Big East and Big 12 were 2-2 in four
meetings this year with the Sooners picking up both wins also beating Creighton. The keys as we see it is for Villanova
to avoid the slow starts that have plagued them in their losses during the year and for Oklahoma to shoot the ball well
and to get everyone involved opening things up for Hield.
World Champion Jeff Allen has been on a monster run through March Madness and all of college basketball. Check
the boards, 68-38 over his L106 plays and on a 5-0 run this week. You can follow Jeff Allen to get his picks and game
previews on his home site at www.vegasscoresandodds.com