UConn women at Villanova
After the whirlwind that was the last 10 days, No. 3 UConn (4-0, 3-0 Big East) will completeitsstretchoffivegamesin11daysTuesdayevening, when it plays at Villanova in whatwillbeoneofitstoughestconferencegamesyet.
The Wildcats (7-0, 2-0) enter the game as the only other undefeated
The basics
Site: Finneran Pavilion
Time: 7 p.m.
Series: UConn leads, 36-1 7
Last meeting: No. 3 UConn 76, Villanova 43 in Hartford, Jan. 29, 2013
TV: SNY (Meghan Culmo and Allen Bestwick)
Livestream: Fans outside of SNY’s market can watch the game on the Fox Sports App or https://www. foxsports.com/. Some fans say they are only able to access games via fox.com/sports or the Fox Sports Now app, though, so try that if needed.
Radio: UConn IMG Sports Network on 97.9 ESPN
Villanova probable starters, sixth man:
Maddy Siegrist, F, 6-1, So.; Brianna Herlihy, F, 6-0, Sr.; Brooke Mullin, G, 5-11, So.; Sarah Mortensen, G/F, 6-1, Sr.; Raven James, G, 5-6, Sr.; Bella Runyan, G, 5-11, Fr.
UConn probable starters, sixth man:
Christyn Williams, G, 5-11, Jr.; Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F, 6-5, Jr.; Anna Makurat, G, 6-2, So.; Evina Westbrook, G, 6-0, R-Jr.; Paige Bueckers, G, 5-11, Fr.; Aaliyah Edwards, F, 6-3, Fr.
The matchup
UConn’s offense: The Huskies have shown more offensive balance over the last few games, with six players notching double figures most recently against Xavier. Williams has had a nice run as well, shooting an efficient 8-for-1 1 on Saturday. Nelson-Ododa and Bueckers round out UConn’s trio of scorers averaging at least 1 5 points. UConn’s defense: UConn’s defense has fared well against overmatched opponents, limiting them to 48.5 points per game. Seton Hall’s athletic guards gave the Huskies’ defense the most trouble so far; otherwise, the unit was able to impose its will against the likes of Creighton and Xavier. Villanova’s offense: The
Wildcats are led by Siegrist, the conference’s top scorer (24.4 points per game) and rebounder (1 2.6 rebounds per game). While they’re in the middle of the pack in scoring offense among Big East teams (70.9 points), their assist rate (7 1 .6 percent) is among the best in the country. They look to shoot a healthy amount of 3s, though they’ve only made 26.3 percent of them this season. Villanova is also one of the better offensive rebounding teams in the conference.
Villanova’s defense: The Wildcats sport the second-best scoring defense in the country, only behind UConn, holding opponents to
57.1 points per game on 36.3 percent shooting (25.5 percent team in the league, following wins over St. John’s (74-65) and Creighton (73-68). After Tuesday, UConn has an eight-day respite from games until it returns to the court with a Dec. 30 meeting at Marquette.
Here’s what you need to know about Tuesday’s matchup:
from beyond the arc). Siegrist and Herlihy are also forces on the defensive glass.
UConn keys: Better defensive communication from this squad of seven newcomers, which will be all the more important with the Huskies facing a player as talented as Siegrist. In addition, continue to rebound well (especially on defense) to get out in transition and not let Villanova settle into their half-court defense.
Players to watch: Who will Geno Auriemma tap to contain Siegrist? The coach said he’s unsure whether this squad has a lockdown defender who can take an opponent’s best player out of the game. Tuesday is his first chance to really see what options he has for
that role.
About Villanova’s coach: Denise Dillon, a 1 996 grad of Villanova, took the reins this offseason following the retirement of Harry Perretta, who spent the previous 42 years leading the Wildcats. Dillon notched a 329-204 record in 1 7 years at Drexel and achieved a 68-43 record as a player in the program.
Villanova’s mascot: Will D. Cat Famous alumni: Soon-to-be First Lady Jill Biden (she got her master’s there), actor Bradley Cooper
(for one year), singer Toby Keith (also for one year, but received an honorary degree).