Villanova Knocks Off USF

Villanova travelled to USF and put an end to a four game losing streak against the Bulls by posting a 61-53 victory. Defense, rebounding and interior scoring were all positives for 'Nova, especially in the first half as Daniel Ochefu and Mouphtaou Yarou took control of the glass and put points on the board. The Wildcat guards didn't do much scoring but did take care of the ball and defend.

Goods:

Ochefu and Yarou combined for 28 points, 21 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 turnovers

Defense - good help defense, didn't allow many easy looks

+ 11 Rebounding edge in the first half

Dominated the paint for much of the game

Overtime defense and shot selection

Only 12 turnovers

Not so goods:

11-20 FT shooting

22% 3PFG shooting

Closed the game with some ragged play

Player Evals & Stats

Ryan Arcidiacono

34 Min, 2-5 FG, 1-4 3PFG, 0-0 FT, 2 Reb, 3 Asst, 1 TO, 0 Stl, 5 Pts

Arcidiacono struggled to stay in front of Collins defensively - but then most defenders do. On offense, he played a strong floor game and helped to spread the floor for his teammates … likely out of respect for the 32 points he scored in the Big East opener. His first basket was a very timely three-ball with about 10:30 remaining in the game. He dropped it in from the wing to restore the 14-point lead the Cats took into the locker-room at half-time.

Darrun Hilliard

33 Min, 1-7 FG, 1-5 3PFG, 0-0 FT, 6 Reb, 2 Asst, 4 TO, 0 Stl, 0 Blk, 3 Pts

His defense and rebounding were strong. His offensive game continues to sputter due to erratic shooting and some turnover issues.

Jayvaughn Pinkston

18 Min, 5-8 FG, 0-0 3PFG, 5-8 FT, 4 Rebs, 2 Asst, 3 TO, 1 Blk, 0 Stl, 15 Pts

Once again - Pinkston scored the ball efficiently. Made some key baskets at times when it looked as if USF may sneak back into the game. USF didn't have an answer to Pinkton's array of spin and power dribble moves as he got into the lane consistently for close-in shots or FT opportunities.

James Bell

24 Min, 1-5 FG, 1-4 3PFG, 2-4 FT, 2 Rebs, 1 Asst, 1 TOs, 1 Blk, 2 Stl, 5 Pts

Bell struggled shooting the basketball but did chip in defensively. He will need to pick up the pace as the Big East season progresses.

Mouphtaou Yarou

32 Min, 6-11 FG, 4-5 FT, 13 Rebs, 2 Asst, 0 TO, 1 Blk, 0 Stl, 16 Pts

Coach Wright continued to give Yarou minutes in recent weeks despite Yarou's apparent lack of confidence. It paid off handsomely in this match-up as Yarou played aggressively and with more confidence than he has shown in some time. He drained some mid-range shots, had a couple of dunks, and got to the line off strong takes to the rim. Yarou was all over the backboards.

Tony Chennault

10 Min, 0-3 FG, 0-2 3PFG, 0-0 FTs, 1 Rebs, 0 Stl, 0 Asst., 1 TOs, 0 Pts

Couldn't get shots to drop and was a little shaky with the ball at times. Not his best effort or results for certain.

Maurice Sutton

7 Min, 0-2 FG, 0-0 FT, 1 Rebs, 1 Asst., 0 TO, 2 Blks, 0 Stl, 0 Pts

With the dynamic duo of Yarou and Ochefu working effectively together in the high-low, Sutton saw his minutes reduced.

Daniel Ochefu

25 Min, 6-10 FG, 0-0 3PFG, 0-3 FTs, 8 Reb, 2 Asst, 0 TO, 0 Blk, 1 Stl, 12 Pts

The Frosh big played some quality basketball in what was his first start and his first Big East road game. He dropped in a career high 12 points on a couple of power dunks, a baby hook, and some put-backs. Ochefu contributed on the boards and on defense as well - where he has proven to be an active help defender and capable of covering his man out on the perimeter as well. It will be interesting to see how Ochefu builds off this game.

Achraf Yacoubou

17 Min, 2-4 FG, 1-3 3PFG, 0-0 FTs, 2 Rebs, 1 Asst, 0 Stl, 1 TO, 1 Blk, 5 Pts

Provided energy, defense, a little scoring and even some ball-handling off the bench. Solid minutes for the Soph.

Saturday at Noon Villanova takes a significant road test against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. This is the beginning of a particularly difficult stretch in the schedule in which the Cats play @ Syracuse, Pittsburgh, @ Providence, Louisville, Syracuse, @ Notre Dame. Good thing for Villanova they enter this stretch 11-4 overall and 2-0 in the Big East because things could get bumpy despite the fact the team has shown improvement in most facets of the game over the past two months.