PITTSBURGH – Nope, wasn’t going to be easy, getting past Ohio State. Looked all kinds of hard-earned easy for awhile inside PPG Paints Arena, Villanova building a lead to double-digits, then up to 15 points. A glide path into the Sweet 16?
Nothing of the kind. This became a battle of attrition, two exhausted rosters not letting up, also not finding the net. The Wildcats and Buckeyes traded seven empty possessions, the front rim the favorite destination for most shots.
Then came something entirely different, Villanova big man Eric Dixon, open outside, not hesitating with his second three-point try of the day, second make. Biggest shot of his life, Dixon made it look as easy as a day in the park back home in Abington.
“He’s got guts, man,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said after the game.
Allowed a breath, Villanova finished off a 71-61 victory, moving back to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the last six NCAA Tournaments. Villanova will show up in San Antonio as one of the hotter teams left, facing Michigan.
Ohio State, feeling all kinds jolts of adrenaline from its comeback, had drawn within 60-58 with 5 minutes, 30 seconds left. The Buckeyes kept hitting the offensive boards, and getting otherworldly play from freshman Malaki Branham, with plenty of other contributors.
But for those last 5 1/2 minutes, Ohio State got one field goal and one free throw.
There were some huge tide-stemming shots by Villanova vets. Justin Moore hit a three up top after Ohio State had gotten within 57-53 (and scoring on the next two possessions, still coming.) A Samuels drive with 4 1/2 minutes left was big after OSU got within Two. Collin Gillespie called for the ball and worked a height advantage in his favor for a pull-up jumper.
Early minutes count
There were some early oohs and aahs inside the place, as Gillespie took everyone on a full tour of his basketball abilities.
A steal after jumping into a passing lane, taken the other way for a layup. A three-pointer off an outside screen. Another smooth three up top off the dribble. A couple of free throws. Right there, Gillespie scored 10 straight ‘Nova points, 10 points of separation that loomed important deep into the second half.
Getting a lead is so important in these NCAA first-round matchups, when the rim starts getting smaller, especially if you’re a No. 2 seed and the success of your March will be judged on these 40 minutes.
Dixon huge
Big second-half contributions from Dixon just after halftime pushed Villanova’s lead to 46-31 in the first three minutes of the second half. He began with a baby hook on Villanova’s first possession. Dixon’s three-point shooting has to be on the scouting report. This season, he’s made 48.3%. But if you guard him for a half and he doesn’t consider taking one, maybe you get a little lax. That happened after a pass from Gillespie.
At the other end, Branham drove and Moore, not wanting to pick up a third foul right away, gave a little room. Except Dixon came over to knock the shot out of bounds. Next defensive stand, Dixon went low to rip at the ball outside, then dove after it, completing the steal.
Ohio State wasn’t going away. Branham hit a couple of smooth pull-up shots. When Kyle Young drove and scored, the Buckeyes got within 48-39 with 13:36 left.
Battle inside and out
Villanova did not depend on its three-point shooting to carry the day. In the first half, ‘Nova had 16 points in the paint to eight for Ohio State, making 9-of-15 two-point shots while the Buckeyes made just 5 of 13. You saw Samuels working for a couple of his hoops in especially tight quarters.
Villanova’s defense was active early, getting into passing lanes. Ohio State knew it needed another scoring option after E.J. Liddell and Branham, didn’t find any, nobody else having have more than three points in the half.
Up 33-22 with 4 minutes left, Villanova was shooting 57% from the field. Daniels and Samuels worked in those close quarters. By halftime, Villanova was shooting 52%, a shooting advantage also resulted in a rebounding advantage, 19-11. But it wasn’t just having more opportunities at misses. Villanova had six offensive rebounds in the half to just seven defensive boards for Ohio State.
A pressing Villanova first-half issue was lineup management, with Jordan Longino out for his second game due to a left knee injury and foul trouble sending a number of ‘Nova players to the bench after second fouls.
First, Moore picked his up, limiting him to nine first-half minutes. Brandon Slater soon joined him. Caleb Daniels picked up his second with 1:24 left in the half.
You can’t know if it impacted the scoreboard, since Villanova was up 10 points when Moore went out, up eight when Slater sat, and up 11 at halftime. It all mattered, as it turned out.
