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UConn and Villanova face off in what should be an elite Big East classic! It's time to continue our college basketball odds series with a UConn-Villanova prediction and pick.
UConn defeated Seton Hall 62-52 in the quarterfinals last night. The No. 20 team in the nation is set to take on a very good Villanova team as they split in the season series at 1-1. UConn took down Villanova last time they faced on Feb. 22. The Huskies are now (23-8) on the year.
Villanova is looking for revenge against the Huskies but it won't be an easy game. It was just a one-game difference that separated these teams in the Big East standings. Villanova has now won three straight since the loss to UConn and are trying to get back to the Championship game. The Wildcats' record this season is (24-7). This should be a classic!
Here are the UConn-Villanova NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
Big East Tournament Odds: UConn-Villanova Odds
UConn: +2.5 (-114)
Villanova: -2.5 (-106)
Over: 131.5 (-110)
Under: 131.5 (-110)
Why UConn Could Cover The Spread
Tyrese Martin and R.J Cole each scored 17 points to help lead the Huskies past Seton Hall. The starters played the majority of the game as Tyler Polley was the only one to really come off the bench. The defense is what helped them get past Seton Hall as they allowed just 52 points. That will usually get the job done but the one thing they need to improve on is their three-point shooting. They ended just 6-20 form deep and without their defensive efforts, the game would have been closer.
Their last game against Villanova was a much-higher scoring game where they finished 10-24 from beyond the arc. That is a slightly better performance and it was enough to get it done. They will need to play a similar style of basketball as Villanova is looking for revenge. This spread is close so if they want to cover they will need to keep it a one-possession game at the very end. It's going to be on Cole, Martin, and Adama Sanogo to all have solid games to get them past the Wildcats here.
Why Villanova Could Cover The Spread
Villanova comes into this game as the favorites here. There isn't much that separates these two squads besides the one-game difference. Both teams have won four of their last five games and are playing very well. Villanova will need to defend better than they have all season long but that won't be easy. Cole, Martin, and Sanogo all average at least 13 points per game this season, and any one of them can take over a game. Villanova is one of the worst teams in the nation in blocks per game at just 2.3. So without the rim protection, they must try and force them to shoot threes. Luckily for the Wildcats, UConn isn't shooting the three-ball well lately.
Neither side is very good against the spread this season. It doesn't say as much in the NCAA compared to the NBA due to the fact that most of these games are a lot closer. UConn finished (13-17-1) ATS as Villanova ended a little better at (15-14-2). This game will be played at Madison Square Garden as it usually is, so it will once again be an elite atmosphere.
Final UConn-Villanova Prediction & Pick
I'm taking Villanova to cover this spread and win a nail-biter. I expect this to be close I just think senior Collin Gillespie and junior Justin Moore will lead them to victory tonight.
Final UConn-Villanova Pick: Villanova -2.5 (-106)
