UConn Huskies vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/04/2023

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, March 4, 2023

Venue:  Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Where to Watch:  Fox

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  UConn -2.5, Villanova +2.5; Over/Under:  138.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  UConn -2.5, Villanova +2.5; Over/Under:  138.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  UConn -2.5, Villanova +2.5; Over/Under:  138.5 points

UConn Huskies:  23-7 (12-7) (5th place, Big East)

Villanova Wildcats:  16-14 (10-9) (6th place, Big East)

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UConn Huskies:  4-1  last 5

Villanova Wildcats:  4-1  last 5

UConn is coming into this game with a 23-7 record overall and they are 5-5 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 12-7 in their conference games this season as well. They are entering this game on a 4 game winning streak with wins coming against the Seton Hall Pirates, the Providence Friars, the St. John’s Red Storm, and the DePaul Blue Demons in their last game. Adama Sanogo led the team in points in that game with 26 while Tristen Newton was next on the team with 12 points. Andre Jackson led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Andre Jackson led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 54.7% from the field, 43.5% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 79.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 65 PPG against them. UConn has an ATS record of 19-10-1 this season and their O/U record is 18-12.

Villanova is coming into this game with a 16-14 record overall and they are 10-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 10-9 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game on a 3 game winning streak with wins coming against the Xavier Musketeers, the Creighton Bluejays, and the Seton Hall Pirates in their last game. Justin Moore led the team in points in that game with 23 while Cam Whitmore was next on the team with 19 points. Eric Dixon led the team in assists in that game with 3 while Eric Dixon led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 53.7% from the field, 43.5% from 3-point range, and 95.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 69.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.8 PPG against them. Villanova has an ATS record of 13-17 this season and their O/U record is 15-15.

The current betting odds have UConn listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. UConn enters this game as a ranked team with their 23-7 record overall but despite their troubles in the Big East this season, they still have one of the best teams in the conference with their talent. They are still 12-7 in their conference games making them one of the better teams in the Big East and they are 5-5 in their road games this season. They have won 4 games in a row now and have really been getting hot over the last few weeks as they have been rolling over teams and blowing them out in their games. Villanova hasn't been great this season with their 16-14 record overall and they are only 10-9 in their conference games. They have been good at home with their 10-3 home record and have also been getting really hot in their games lately, but UConn still has a much better team and now that the tournaments are right around the corner, they are finally playing like the team they are supposed to be. The best way to place a bet here is on UConn to cover the spread in this game as they look to keep rolling over teams into the conference tournament. 

UConn Villanova Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, March 4, 2023 (7:30 pm ET start time) is UConn 77 Villanova 72.

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UConn Huskies: 11-3 ATS after a win by 15 points or more. 15-7 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins. 11-5 UNDER after scoring 80 points or more in a win over a conference rival.

Villanova Wildcats: 4-10 ATS after one or more consecutive overs. 4-8 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 10-5 UNDER off a road win.

UConn Huskies:  H. Diarra (G) Ques Sat - Abdominal.

Villanova Wildcats:  N. Njoku (F) Out indefinitely - Foot.

“I think this team has got a really good confidence to them. I think we got some personalities in here. We’ve got some gunslingers on the perimeter that are going to let it fly and let it rip. Then we’ve got some guys that can dominate at center. I just think it’s a great collection of guys.” - Dan Hurley after his team’s win against DePaul in their last game. 

“We’ve been in tough games all year long. We’re pretty seasoned in playing single-possession, end-of-the-game type of situations. It’s something that our guys have become comfortable playing in and it’s starting to pay dividends now at the end of the season.” - Kyle Neptune on his team right now with the season coming to an end soon.

J. Hawkins 

A. Jackson  

A. Karaban 

T. Newton 

A. Sanogo

C. Daniels 

E. Dixon 

J. Moore

B. Slater 

C. Whitmore

PPG: A. Sanogo (17.2)

APG: T. Newton (4.5)

Reb/G: A. Sanogo (7.2)

PPG: E. Dixon (16)

APG: J. Moore (3)

Reb/G: E. Dixon (6.5)

Coaches:

UConn Huskies: Dan Hurley (5th season)

Villanova Wildcats: Kyle Neptune (1st season)