Villanova vs Duke Picks & Predictions

Written by Jordan Haimowitz

villanova-duke-sweet-sixteen-picks-032509 The Duke Blue Devils are poised to take on their toughest test yet, The Villanova Wildcats. A very interesting match up this will be as it will come down to Duke’s grit verse Nova’s speed. The Blue Devils are led by their two All-Conference and All-American candidates Kyle Singler and Gerald Henderson. Singler averages 17 points and 8 rebounds a game while Henderson averages 17 points and 5 rebounds per game. Jon Scheyer is a sniper from three point land and can catch fire at any given second. Scheyer averages 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Duke has defeated Binghamton in the first round and Texas is a tough battle in the second. Now, facing the multi talented Wildcats who are much more athletic and play at a frantic pace will be the next task at hand. What should make a Duke fan smile pre-game is knowing while Nova is very quick, their big men can not match up against Henderson and Singler consistently. The Dukie’s average more points per game and give up less against. The field goal and free throw percentages are very similar and they both amazingly average 33.9 rebounds a game. Ever since Coach K pulled the rabbit out of his magic hat and revamped the lineup by naming Elliot Williams the starter as well as Lance Thomas. Duke has answers for Nova, many people just do not believe that’s the case. It is, as long as Duke can stop them in transition or at least keep it to a minimum they will be okay. Duke is favored by 2.5 over Villanova and the total is set for 148 points.

The Villanova Wildcats have defeated American in the first round (were down 10 at half to AU) and then dismantled The UCLA Bruins in the second round. Now, that game made a lot of people scratch their heads. Was it the Cats getting their act together and clicking? or, was it the fact they got a depleted Bruins team who was no good in an indirect home game? Well, my answer would be a little bit of both. Scottie Reynolds is a star. He is a team leader that is very strong willed and loaded with skills. Reynolds averages 16 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists per game. The combination of guards Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes averages 20 points and 6 rebounds a game. The big man Dante Cunningham will be the key for the Cats in this showdown. Dante averages 16 points and 7 rebounds per contest. What should be of concern to Nova fans is if Cunningham gets into foul trouble, this will be an extremely difficult game for them to win. Now, on the contrary, if Nova can turn this into an up-tempo loosey goosey game then they should prevail.

Breakdown of the starting lineups:

Point Guard: Scottie Reynolds Vs Elliot Williams (EDGE-VILLANOVA) The recent addition of Williams to the lineup has been a blessing for Duke and its recent success. The improvement is clear. Scottie is a stud, he is a premier point guard in the land. While having Paulus off the bench helps the case and I do believe both Paulus and Williams will play well, they will not play better then Scottie. Reynolds wins this match up.

Shooting Guard: Jon Scheyer vs Reggie Redding (EDGE-DUKE) Before all you Cats fans jump don my throat I am well aware of the fact that Fisher and Stokes will be the main guys facing off here, Redding happens to be the starter so he gets the headline for the breakdown.. with that said, it wont matter. Scheyer is playing at his highest level. he has picked up his defense and Nolan Smith off the bench will play a great game I believe. So in a match up of, Nova’s shooting guards vs Duke’s shooting guards. Give me Scheyers scoring and Smith’s defense and athleticism.

Small Forward: Gerald Henderson vs Dwayne Anderson (EDGE-DUKE) The good ole classic mis-match. This is where Nova will have tons of problems. While Henderson is more of a shooting guard, his athletic ability and explosiveness allows him to match up at the three spot. Henderson can shoot outside while Anderson can’t.. Gerald averages more points and assists per game. While Anderson might not be the one matched up on him late in the game. Edge, Duke. BIG TIME.

Power Forward: Shane Clark vs Lance Thomas (EDGE-VILLANOVA) Clark is 6’7 195 lbs while Thomas is 6’8 220 lbs. The Dukies will probably have Thomas on Cunningham most of the time. However, these are the two who will have the similar impact at the four spot. Thomas is stronger while Clark is more athletic. I see this match up being the closest of all as their numbers are strikingly similar. Clark has big game experience. He gets the slight nod

Center: Kyle Singler vs Dante Cunningham (EDGE-DUKE) Wow, now tell me you are not excited for these two stars to face off. Singler averages 17 points and 8 boards while Cunningham puts in 16 points and 7 boards. Dante is more athletic while Singler is a better ball handler as a big man with a smoother post game. This one is close, the difference will be Singler’s ability to shoot from three point land which will drag Cunningham away from the hoop.

Intangibles/Coaching: (EDGE-EVEN) Jay Wright has gone from a young, hot and rising coach to being established. Nova’s bench is deeper then Duke’s without a question. They have better scorers coming off the bench and are more athletic. Coach K is a legend. He has coached in big games more times then I can count. The roster shake up he made this year proved yet again his masterful mind is still sharp. Bench goes top Nova, coaching to Duke. I got a draw.

For all of you that are not familiar with my work, I am the furthest thing from one of those Duke groupies. For my regular readers that are familiar, you know how accurate I have been on this team as the year has went on. Duke’s Kyle Singler will be the main factor. He can shoot from the outside which will cause Dante Cunningham to force shots from the perimeter. Duke is favored by 2.5. Lay the points. The Blue Devils will drain their threes and march on to the Elite Eight.

Betting Line: Duke -2.5

Jordan’s Pick: Take Duke -2.5

Documented Record:

14-13 OVERALL

6-4 BEST BET

Comments

2 Responses to “Villanova vs Duke Picks & Predictions”

In Scottie We Trust on March 27th, 2009 5:43 AM

Nice call…

You may not be a Duke chronie, but you obviously knew nothing about Nova other than Scottie. You had no clue about Redding and Anderson did you? Anderson can’t hit from long range??? Redding is a stat filling machine and a true playmaker versus a three point shooting marginal athlete in Scheyer (how many times did he get SWATTED when he ventured into the lane with the big boys?). Don’t speak to what you nothing about. Well, I guess NOW you know.

Nova has athletes and too many weapons, watch them dismantle Pitt next you tool.
Jordan Haimowitz on March 27th, 2009 9:01 AM

I take it you are a Nova fan?

Nice win, 4-32 I believe henderson/Scheyer combined for, somewhere around that number. I will certainly look at Nova a bit closer come elite eight.

Jordan
(betfirms)

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