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College basketball week 16: 5 important things to know

By Chris Stone

NORMAN, OK - FEBRUARY 17: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks at the court after passing the half court line against the Texas Longhorns at Lloyd Noble Center on February 17, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Longhorns defeated the Sooners 77-66. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - FEBRUARY 17: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks at the court after passing the half court line against the Texas Longhorns at Lloyd Noble Center on February 17, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Longhorns defeated the Sooners 77-66. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 17: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Xavier Musketeers in the first half of a game at Cintas Center on February 17, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 17: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Xavier Musketeers in the first half of a game at Cintas Center on February 17, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

5. Villanova beat Xavier…again and flashed its title credentials…again

Here’s the thing. It’s not that Xavier’s bad at basketball. It’s just that Villanova has the Musketeers’ number in a way that no other program does. On Saturday, the Wildcats doled out a 95-79 beating at the Cintas Center for their 10th win over Xavier since the formation of the new Big East ahead of the 2013-14 season. The Musketeers own one win over Villanova in that time frame.

Saturday wasn’t just the latest in a long line of one-sided dominance in the rivalry, though. It also re-established the Wildcats as one of the favorites to win the national title. With two losses in three games, they had been on a skid of sorts.

Much of Saturday’s post-game conversation centered around the Wildcats’ 16 made 3-pointers as if their offensive explosion were out of the ordinary. Villanova’s made 16 or more 3s in five other games this season. Its overall adjusted offensive efficiency is pushing 2014-15 Wisconsin to be the best of the KenPom era dating back to 2001-02.

Next: College basketball bracketology

The old adage “defense wins championships” doesn’t apply so well to college basketball. In fact, you’re likely better off entering March Madness with an elite offense than an elite defense. Still, Villanova needs to find some level of its old self before the dance. The Wildcats rank 42nd in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom. No team has won a national title since 2001-02 with a defense outside the top 20.

The good news is there’s a precedent for improving defensively in March. Back in 2015, Duke transformed its defense just in time to cut down the nets, going from 37th in adjusted defensive efficiency prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament to 11th once it was over.