Bucknell vs. Villanova: 3-Point Preview

If a stingy defense meets a bad offense, is it really defense?

Sir Isaac Newton once proposed the above question 31 years ago.

Villanova comes into Thursday night's game averaging 12.5 steals per game while allowing only only 55 points per contest. Sure, Nova's two games have come against lesser opponents (and Bucknell will be no different), but their pressure defense has given opponents fits. It should continue to stifle Thursday night against a Bucknell team that is only shooting 40 percent early on this season. The Bison will continue to have a difficult time scoring against the Wildcats stingy defense.

Will the real 3-Point shooters please stand up?

Villanova likes to shoot from behind the arc. That we know already, since the 'Cats have launched 54 shots from three-point land through two games.

The Problem? Only 15 of those 54 attempts have actually gone through the hoop.

Darrun Hilliard is 2-14 from distance, and Ryan Arcidiacono hasn't been much better, shooting only 25 percent. With Nova's plethora of guards, they'll be launching the 3-ball all year long. And if they can start converting, this offense will be able to strike in an instant. But is this just a case of early season struggles? Or will this poor shooting continue throughout the year?

One last tune up

With a date with No. 15 VCU looming, as well as the always tough Big 5 schedule shortly after, this is one final tune up game for the Wildcats. Nova will look to use this game to sort out any kinks, knock off any lingering rust, and really fire on all cylinders as the schedule begins to bulk up in terms of quality opponents.

One final point, it should be noted that Villanova head coach Jay Wright is a Bucknell alum (1983), having played for and captained the Bison.