The No. 1 Villanova Wildcats (16-1, 4-1 Big East) visit Georgetown to take on the Hoyas (12-5, 2-4 Big East) in a matchup that pits sensational offense against exceptional defense. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
Villanova is a 13.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 157 points.
Villanova Wildcats vs. Georgetown Hoyas Free Prediction
The Wildcats will be hoping for a similar result after defeating the St. John’s Red Storm in their last game, 78-71. The Wildcats made 19 of their 24 free throws (79.2 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 28.5). With 25 points on 7-for-11 shooting, Donte DiVincenzo led Villanova in scoring.
In the Hoyas’ last matchup, they fell to the No. 13 Seton Hall Pirates, 74-61. Seton Hall’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Georgetown. The Pirates had a rate of 0.213 (below their season average of 0.245), while the Hoyas posted a mark of 0.121 (below their season average of 0.339). Georgetown’s Marcus Derrickson put together a good performance, leading the team in scoring with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
Georgetown does a solid job at getting to the charity stripe. They rank fifth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.325), but Villanova is among the best in the NCAA at keeping opponents off the line (ranking eighth by allowing a FTA rate of 0.164). Moreover, the Wildcats’ second-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 125.2) will face off against the Hoyas’ 42nd-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 95.6).
Villanova holds records of 16-1 straight up (SU) and 11-6 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to place the total low when the Wildcats are involved, as 10 of their 16 games have gone over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Georgetown owns records of 12-5 SU and 6-7-1 ATS. Unlike Villanova, games involving the Hoyas have typically gone under the O/U total (69.2 percent).
DiVincenzo has averaged 13.6 points and 1.2 steals over the last five games for Villanova.
After the Wildcats won both games against the Hoyas last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, Villanova won 81-55. The Wildcats had a much better turnover percentage (9.4 vs. 26.1) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.537 vs. 0.404).
Villanova Wildcats vs. Georgetown Hoyas Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Villanova, ATS Winner – Villanova, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Villanova is 8-3 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 4 unders.
Georgetown is 3-6 ATS at home with 6 unders and 2 overs.
Villanova ranks 26th in three pointers attempted per game (27.0) while Georgetown ranks 210th (19.5).
The Hoyas rank 14th in rebounds per game (41.1) while the Wildcats rank 171st (35.2).
Villanova ranks 18th in steals allowed per game (4.8) while Georgetown ranks 161st (7.3).
The Hoyas rank 28th in assists per game (17.2) while the Wildcats rank 145th in assists allowed per game (13.8).
Villanova ranks 47th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while Georgetown ranks 84th (3.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Villanova is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Georgetown is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.2, down from 18.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hoyas have scored an average of 70.2 points per game (8.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.0 points per game (7.1 above their season average).
