New York City- Nineteen to nothing. After less than ten minutes of play in the second Big East semifinal, that was the Villanova lead over Butler. It was not the story of the game yet it did give us a slight hint. Villanova is scary good and they proved it with a thorough 87-68 beating of Butler in the Big East semifinal.The Wildcats will face Providence for the championship at Madison Square Garden. The numbers:

Possessions: Villanova 68, Butler 67

Offensive efficiency: Villanova 128, Butler 102

Four Factors:

eFG pct: Villanova 59, Butler 53

FT Rate: Villanova 28, Butler 25

OREB pct: Villanova 35, Butler 11

TO rate: Villanova 16, Butler 18

Leading scorers: Villanova - Mikal Bridges 18 points.

Butler- Kelan Martin 13

Taking a look at it closer Butler was efficient on offense, shot the ball well and kept turnovers under 20%. Problem was Jay Wright’s team looked like a national championship favorite not ‘just’ contender. Wildcats clearly had the upper hand in each of the Four Factors as well as posting a superlative efficiency.

Villanova shared the wealth with five players in double figures. They also assisted on 17 of 29 field goals for a 59% assist rate. Butler did lead 32-24 in points in the paint. Villanova again showed inside prowess, 10-4 in second chance points as they outrebounded the Bulldogs 37-25. In addition, the Wildcats shot 14 of 34 (41%) from long distance. Butler was 7 of 20 for 35%. With that perimeter game clicking, wasn’t as urgent for Villanova to look inside.

Butler coach LaVall Jordan, a night after a big win over Seton Hall, commended his team’s refusal to pack it in. Down 19-0 in the early going Jordan knew a comeback against a team like Villanova would be a long shot. Jordan felt his team kept after it and did note the score was even following that 19-0 start.

Wright spoke about his offense being the aggressor two straight nights, against Marquette in the quarterfinal and here facing Butler. Wright also spoke in tempo free terms saying, "the Big East has the leading conference offensive efficiency in the country." You can do a very good job on defense per Wright but the efficiency numbers may not prove it. "They (Butler) shot 48% and I think we had a good defensive effort," Wright added.

Definitely good enough to advance to the championship game.