The Villanova Wildcats (17-2) and Providence Friars (16-3) will be playing at the Wachovia Center for this game. Action begins at 1:00 pm ET on Sunday, Jan. 24 and can be seen on FOX.
The Wildcats enter this game hoping for similar success after edging Seton Hall 72-71 on Wednesday. Josh Hart played a pivotal role, recording his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Friars, meanwhile, are coming off a 71-68 win against Butler on Tuesday. Ben Bentil was the team’s top scorer, registering 20 points on 6-for-14 shooting.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Villanova, a substantial 13-point favorite, takes on Providence. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at 134 points for this matchup. The Wildcats come into this game 17-2 Straight Up (SU) and 10-8 Against The Spread (ATS). The Wildcats are one of the best in Division I in terms of free throw percentage, shooting an impressive .754 from the free throw line. Villanova is one of the most disciplined teams in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.48. Opposing teams know they’re in for a battle when they play Villanova’s stingy defense. The Wildcats are one of the top teams when it comes to defense, allowing just 60.6 points per game. Villanova’s defense can be considered one of the best in the country. The Wildcats allow a .379 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the country.
As for their opponent, the Friars have 16-3 SU and 11-7 ATS records. The Friars are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking 35th in Division I at 1.41.
These conference foes meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Villanova won the last game in the matchup, bumping its SU record to 7-3 over Providence in their most recent meetings. On the other hand, Providence holds the advantage ATS with a record of 7-3. Providence held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once, while Villanova was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Prov, ATS Winner – Prov, O/U – Under
Notes
Villanova is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
Villanova is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
Villanova is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Villanova’s last 5 games when playing Providence.
Villanova is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Providence.
Villanova is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Providence.
The Villanova Wildcats stand undefeated at 7-0 SU against the Big East Conference. The Providence Friars have a winning record (4-2) in the conference.
Providence scores an average of just 74.0 points per game (ranked 170th). Villanova ranks fifth in points allowed, giving up 60.6 points per game.
Providence scores just 72.8 points per away game (ranked 113th). Villanova ranks seventh in points allowed at home, giving up 57.4 points.
The Villanova Wildcats rank 30th for their offensive rating of 114.7. The Providence Friars have a defensive rating of 95.8 (ranked 44th).
The Providence Friars average 68.7 possessions per game and 1.078 points per possession. The Villanova Wildcats earn fewer possessions with 65.9, but they score more points with 1.147.
Villanova has an average effective field goal percentage of 53.8%. Providence is undefeated (2-0) when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Villanova Wildcats average 25.0 three point attempts per game, and the Providence Friars attempt 20.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Villanova is 12-2 and Providence is 11-1.
The 22nd-ranked team in the category, Villanova has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.48 this season. Providence ranks 35th with an A/TO of 1.41.
The Providence Friars rank 98th in offensive rebounds. The Villanova Wildcats rank 151st in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Opponents have had an average turnover percentage of 21.5% when playing Providence this season. Villanova is undefeated this season (1-0) when its TO% is 21.5% or higher.
