Styles Clash As Villanova WBB Prepares for Texas Tech

Villanova Women’s Basketball will face No. 7 seed Texas Tech in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, a matchup that Wildcats’ head coach Denise Dillon described as a mix of two opposing styles.

Speaking with the media on March 17, Dillon complimented the Lady Raiders for their three-point shooting — they attempt 22.34 threes per game, converting on 34.27 percent of them, the 50th-best mark in the nation. Texas Tech’s defense also ranks in the top 50 nationally, as the Lady Raiders allow just 36.8 percent of their opponents’ shots to fall and force 19.5 turnovers per game.

The Wildcats’ offense, on the other hand, ranks No. 14 in both assists (17.9 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.34), pitting strength against strength with the season on the line. Dillon said Villanova will need to adapt once the game begins.

“Big keys: keeping them off the glass, getting them off the three, and handling that pressure, taking care of the ball,” Dillon said. “It’s definitely a different matchup. I think the way we play, our style, our system, is unique… It’s a good thing that you’re a little different than your opponent. So it might take a little bit to recognize and figure out a way to win the matchup.”

Finding Lanes

Dillon described how Villanova’s five-out offense, predicated on three-point shooting and players cutting toward the basket, depends on chemistry and passing, a potential sticking point against the Lady Raiders’ defense.

“There aren’t a lot who commit to a five-out system. It takes discipline, it takes read, it’s a read and react offense,” Dillon said. “So a lot rely on skill and talent — and they [Texas Tech] certainly have it. I think for us, it’s always been about the camaraderie, and all that chemistry on the floor to get looks for each other. Those assists are so important.”

While Texas Tech’s defense provides a new look for Villanova, Wildcats’ lead scorer Jasmine Bascoe said she’s familiar with the Lady Raiders because she watches the games of her friends around Division I.

“I’ve watched some of my friends play against them all year so yeah, we’re excited to play them,” Bascoe said. “I think it’s going to be different compared to a Big East team, obviously, but we’re ready for whatever they throw at us.”

Leaving An Impression

After making it back to the Big Dance for the first time since 2023, Bascoe said she’s excited to leave a strong impression of the Wildcats, one that could boost their reputation in the coming seasons. She also seemingly reaffirmed her commitment to Villanova during those seasons, an important move for an All-Big East player certain to attract attention from teams looking to poach away a star.

“I think this is a good first step for us. And then for the next two years, we’re looking to do the same thing,” Bascoe said. “So yeah, very excited, very happy to get out there, but this is an expectation and a goal that we’re gonna set every season from now on.”

Experience could prove pivotal for this Wildcats team, one with four freshmen — including starting guard Kennedy Henry — and just three players with experience on the court in an NCAA Tournament game. One of those three players, senior Ryanne Allen, said that at this point in the season it isn’t fair to refer to the freshmen as inexperienced, however.

“The freshmen aren’t freshmen anymore,” Allen said. “They’ve played all year, some of them have started, they’ve had a lot of experience.”