The Villanova Wildcats are once again a top favorite to make the Final Four with the NCAA Basketball Championship Odds as the top ranked team in the country. Villanova is coming off three consecutive seasons of 30+ wins. The Wildcats are firmly ensconced as an elite powerhouse program and perennial national title contender. The Georgetown Hoyas are trying to reclaim their past glory of the 1980’s with first year head coach Patrick Ewing. Ewing played for the Hoyas 1984 national championship team and was a NBA star, but now Ewing faces the daunting task of a major rebuild. The rebuilding Hoyas will host the powerful Wildcats on Wednesday night.
#1 Villanova Wildcats vs. Georgetown Hoyas
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 17, 2018, 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
NCAA Basketball Odds at SBG: Villanova -13
Wildcats vs. Hoyas TV Coverage: FS1
The Villanova Wildcats have been able to maintain good betting value with the NCAA Basketball Championship Odds despite their increasing popularity with the betting public. Villanova is 16-1 straight up and 11-6 against the spread. The Wildcats have had 11 out of their 17 games go over the total. Villanova is coming off a 78-71 win at St. John’s but failed to cover as 11.5-point overlays. The Wildcats are 3-2 against the spread on the road with three out of their five away games going over the total. The Wildcats are an elite offensive team that ranks sixth in college basketball for scoring at 88.3 points per game. Junior guard Jalen Brunson is the trigger man for the Villanova attack with team a best 18.8 points and 5.2 assists per game. Redshirt junior Mikal Bridges is another key component to the Villanova attack with 17.5 points per game. Villanova is 4-1 straight up in Big East Conference play.
Georgetown Stats
The Georgetown Hoyas are 12-5 straight up and 7-7 against the spread so far on the season. Georgetown has struggled in home games with a mark of 3-6 against the spread at the online sportsbook. The Hoyas are 2-4 straight up in Big East Conference games so far. Georgetown is coming off a 74-61 loss at Seton Hall in which they went under the total for the third consecutive game. Georgetown has gone under the total in five out of 14 lined games including six out of nine games at home. Junior center Jessie Govan has been doing his best Patrick Ewing imitation with a team best 17.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
Villanova has covered the spread in two out of their last three games against Georgetown. Four out of the last six meetings between the Wildcats and Hoyas have gone under the total. Villanova has covered the spread in eight out of their last 13 away games against Georgetown. Four out of the last five meetings between Villanova and Georgetown at Capital One Arena have gone under the total.
Matchup to Watch
Villanova has a huge coaching advantage with the NCAA Basketball Championship Odds in this matchup. That is nothing against Ewing, but the fact remains the Hoya legend is in his first ever year as a head coach at any level. Villanova’s Jay Wright is in his 17th season at Villanova has emerged as one of the elite coaches in the country. Villanova is a well-established program that Wright completely built himself.
Wildcats vs. Hoyas NCAA Basketball Picks
This is a mismatch both on the court and with the coaches. Villanova is far head of Georgetown in development, so I will take Villanova.
NCAA Basketball Betting Pick: Villanova Wildcats -13
NCAA Basketball Betting Score Prediction: Villanova 81, Georgetown 65