On Sunday, Feb. 2, Villanova (11-10, 5-4 Big East) will face off against Marquette (12-6, 4-3 Big East) at home in the Finneran Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and will be broadcasted on FloSports. Marquette currently sits at fifth in the Big East conference, with Villanova right behind in sixth place. Currently, Marquette leads Villanova in the all-time series, 16-20.
This is the second meeting between the Wildcats and the Golden Eagles this season. Marquette took down Villanova, 64-59. Villanova was without its leading scorer, freshman guard Jasmine Bascoe, due to injury. Bascoe currently averages 15.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. In Bascoe’s absence, sophomore guard Maddie Webber collected 16 points and six rebounds. Webber has scored double digits in her last six games, averaging 16 points and 3.2 rebounds. During that stretch of games, Webber tied a career-high in single game three-pointers with five.
Since then, Villanova has won three of its last four games, while Marquette has won two of its last three, recently defeating Georgetown, 75-58.
Marquette is led in scoring by sophomore Skylar Forbes, who is averaging 15.9 points per game. Sophomore Halle Vice also stands out as a key player, as she currently averages 10.6 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game. Vice will match up with Villanova junior center Denae Carter in the post, who currently leads the Wildcats in rebounds, with 6.2 per game.
The Golden Eagles have averaged 68.2 points per game while holding opponents to 57.1 points. Marquette has performed well in the paint, leading the Big East in total rebounds (39.8) and blocks per game (4.7). According to SABER (Schedule Adjusted Basketball Efficiency Ratings), Marquette has the second-best defensive rating in the Big East behind UConn.
Villanova, however, lacks defensively. According to SABER, Villanova has the worst defense rating in the Big East. Carter is Villanova’s strongest rebounder. Besides Carter, there is a lack of rebounding in the paint causing the Wildcats to lose out on second chance opportunities. The team will need to be efficient on offense to remain in front.
Villanova will be looking to continue the momentum following its win at home this past Sunday, in which it defeated Xavier, 67-52. Despite having two key players sidelined with injuries — senior guard Kaitlyn Orihel and graduate guard Lara Edmanson — freshman guard Dani Ceseretti was able to step in their place to assist in the win.
“We’re hoping [Edmanson and Orihel] will be back for the Marquette game,” head coach Denise Dillon said postgame on Sunday. “It’s a good time for us now to have this bye week for them to get a little more rest.”
With a possible healthy starting lineup, the Wildcats will be a different team compared to their previous matchup with the Golden Eagles. Villanova looks to grab its seventh home win of the season.
