The No. 1 Villanova Wildcats (32-4) meet the No. 5 West Virginia Mountaineers (26-10) in the Sweet Sixteen at TD Garden. The game starts at 7:27 p.m. ET on Friday, March 23, 2018.
Villanova opened as a 5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 153 points.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Villanova Wildcats Betting Prediction
The Mountaineers will be looking for similar success after blowing out the No. 13 Marshall Thundering Herd in the Second Round, 94-71. The Mountaineers had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 51.7 (above their season average of 36.7), while the Thundering Herd had a turnover percentage of 21.6 (above their season average of 15.5). With 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting, Jevon Carter was the game’s leading scorer.
In the Second Round, the Wildcats dismantled the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide, 81-58. The Wildcats forced 15 turnovers and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 35.1 (above their season average of 28.9). Mikal Bridges was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points on 7-for-16 shooting.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the productive offense of Villanova takes on the elite defense of West Virginia. The Wildcats rank first in offensive efficiency, while the Mountaineers are 54th in defensive efficiency.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Villanova Wildcats Free Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Villanova, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Villanova ranks 49th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while West Virginia ranks 198th (4.0).
The Mountaineers average 15.3 assists per game, which ranks 64th in the NCAA. The Wildcats rank 188th in assists allowed per game (13.9).
West Virginia ranks 13th in steals per game (8.1) while Villanova ranks 92nd (6.7).
The Wildcats average 29.0 three pointers per game, which ranks seventh in the nation. The Mountaineers rank 82nd in three pointers allowed per game (20.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Mountaineers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.0, down from 11.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 85.0 points per game (1.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.6 points per game (5.7 below their season average).
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