{"id":5103,"date":"2017-03-16T10:38:38","date_gmt":"2017-03-16T14:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=5103"},"modified":"2017-03-16T11:01:18","modified_gmt":"2017-03-16T15:01:18","slug":"east-regional-villanova-set-defend-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/03\/16\/east-regional-villanova-set-defend-title\/","title":{"rendered":"East Regional Preview: Villanova Set to Defend Title"},"content":{"rendered":"

Villanova<\/strong> will attempt to do something that has only been done once in the past 25 years. \u00a0The Wildcats <\/strong>will look to put together another stellar six-game run and repeat as champions of college basketball.\u00a0 Ironically the last two teams to do this, the Florida Gators<\/strong> (2006-07) and the Duke Blue Devils<\/strong> (1991-92), are both in the\u00a0East region.\u00a0 That will only make Jay Wright<\/strong>\u2019s Wildcats have to work that much harder to reach the top of the mountain again.<\/p>\n

Duke and Florida are not the only obstacles in the way, as the 3 seed Baylor Bears<\/strong> were ranked number one for multiple weeks this season.\u00a0 The Wildcats would also have a tough match up in round two between the winner of Wisconsin<\/strong> and Virginia Tech<\/strong>.\u00a0 Each of those teams are battle tested in big time conferences and would pose different match up issues based on style of play.<\/p>\n

East Regional Opening Weekend: Madness Begins<\/strong><\/h2>\n

East region: Best Game- (5) Virginia Cavaliers vs (12) UNC Wilmington Seahawks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To use an old boxing analogy, styles make fights. UNC Wilmington<\/strong> is an uptempo guard oriented team that averages 85 points a game.\u00a0 That mark is good for 10th<\/sup> in the country.\u00a0Virginia<\/strong> employs the pack line defense and is 1st<\/sup> in the nation in points allowed at 55.6.\u00a0 The Seahawks <\/strong>have four players scoring in double figures, led by C.J. Bryce<\/strong> at 17.6 a contest. As a team they shoot 36% from behind the arc. \u00a0The Cavaliers are led by senior guard London Perrantes<\/strong> at 12.5 points and 4 assists per game. \u00a0It will be interesting to see which style prevails, whom ever can control the pace\u00a0should be able to advance.<\/p>\n

Best Player Matchup \u2013 Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin) vs Zach LeDay (Virginia Tech)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Nigel Hayes<\/strong> is a three year starter for the Badgers and has Final Four experience. The versatile forward can score in the post or from the perimeter.\u00a0 His scoring average of 13.5 per game is down a bit from last year but his importance to Wisconsin\u2019s success remains. \u00a0Zach LeDay<\/strong> has blossomed for the Hokies since transferring from South Florida<\/strong>.\u00a0 He leads them in both points and rebounds with 16.3 and 7.4, respectively. \u00a0Like Hayes, he is a versatile scorer who works both inside and out the paint to get his buckets.<\/p>\n

East Region: Building Blocks For Tradition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Despite the blue bloods residing in the region like Villanova, Duke, Florida, and Wisconsin, there are a few teams trying to build up their NCAA tournament tradition. Virginia Tech is making its first appearance since the 2006-07 season.\u00a0 The Marquette Golden Eagles<\/strong> are back for the first time in five years, having last gone dancing in 2013. Then there is the South Carolina Gamecocks<\/strong>, finally making it back to the dance after a 13-year absence. Adding to that March Madness<\/strong> drought is the fact that they haven\u2019t won a tournament game in 44 years. Yes, you read that right.<\/p>\n

Winning breeds more winning. These programs are hoping to make a splash this season so they can build on that and be back dancing again, sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

East Region: Players to Watch <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Kris Jenkins (Villanova Wildcats) – <\/strong>The maker of last season\u2019s biggest shot is back. He hit the buzzer-beating three to secure the National Championship last year. Guards Jalen Brunson<\/strong> and Josh Hart<\/strong> have carried the Wildcats this season and that will continue through their run in March. However, if a big shot is needed late in a game, make sure you keep your eyes on Kris Jenkins<\/strong>, because he will have no fear in the biggest moments.<\/p>\n

Luke Kennard (Duke Blue Devils) \u2013 Grayson Allen<\/strong> gets the headlines and Jayson Tatum <\/strong>will be a top-5 NBA<\/strong> draft pick, but its Kennard<\/strong> who leads Duke. He is scoring just over 20 points per contest, and hitting 44% from three. In the ACC tournament he shook off a few bad first halves to heat up big time after the break. The left handed sophomore can score from anywhere. He is adept at slicing to the basket and it almost automatic from the free throw line.<\/p>\n

Jonathan Motley (Baylor Bears) \u2013 <\/strong>The 6\u201910\u201d junior elevated his game to impressive heights this year.\u00a0Motley<\/strong> averaged 17 points and just under 10 rebounds per game. He is also a disruptive presence in the middle of Baylor\u2019s zone defense. The Bears struggled slightly coming down the stretch after a 20-1 start that saw them ranked number one in the country. Jonathan Motley was not fazed by his team\u2019s woes, averaging 20 points per in the last 15 games.<\/p>\n

Duane Notice (South Carolina Gamecocks) – <\/strong>The senior guard from Ontario, Canada<\/strong> has had an up and down season. Last year\u2019s SEC<\/strong> 6th<\/sup> man award winner has seen his shot abandon him at times. That said, and despite having SEC Player of the Year<\/strong> Sindarius Thornwell<\/strong>, Duane Notice is key if the Gamecocks want to end that 44-year drought. Notice spearheads South Carolina\u2019s suffocating defense. He will be tasked with harassing Marquette freshman guard Markus Howard<\/strong> and disrupting the flow of their offense. The Gamecocks are 14-2 when Notice hits two or more threes this season.<\/p>\n

Andrew Rowsey (Marquette Golden Eagles) \u2013 <\/strong>The junior transfer from UNC-Asheville <\/strong>is a heat check waiting to happen. After scoring 20 points a game his first two collegiate seasons, he has accepted his role off the bench for Marquette. He was named the Big East 6th<\/sup> man of the<\/strong> Year<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0The sharpshooter scored 11 points a game and shot 45% from three.\u00a0 He can heat up in a hurry and has nine 20 point games this year.<\/p>\n

Repeat After Me<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Villanova\u2019s road to a repeat championship will not be easy. Virginia, Florida, Wisconsin, and Duke all have championship pedigree and will be standing in the way. There is a reason that it has been so long since a repeat champion has happened. That is also why those\u00a0teams from Florida and Duke are revered so much. Even at programs with winning traditions, they stand out more than most.<\/p>\n

There are some intriguing potential match-ups in the 2nd<\/sup> round of the East region.\u00a0 Baylor and SMU could renew an old South West Conference rivalry in an all-Texas battle should they both advance. If Marquette can get by the Gamecocks, its sets up a teacher versus student coaching battle. Golden Eagle coach Steve Wojociechowski<\/strong> had a memorable career as Duke\u2019s starting point guard under coach Mike Krzyzewski<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Buckle up, because as we all know in March, anything can happen.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n