by James Q
Saturday, Dec 11, 2021Villanova Wildcats vs Baylor Bears Prediction, Spread and Trends to Watch - 12/12/2021
Game Time: Noon ET, Sunday, December 12th, 2021
Venue: Ferrell Center, Waco, Texas
Where to Watch: ABC
Opening NCAAB Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings Sportsbook: NL
Caesars: Spread: NL
VegasInsider: Spread: NL
Opening Line : Baylor -3.5; O/U 138
Season Record
Villanova: 0-0 conf, 7-2 overall (Big East)
Baylor: 0-0 conf, 8-0 overall (Big 12)
A college basketball matchup of ranked teams with real aspirations to win the NCAA tournament. For both these programs the Sweet 16 would be nice, but both squads have the talent to become national champions (again).
The Villanova Wildcats may have benefitted from an early exit in the Big East Tournament, as the Wildcats didn’t seem to start playing as a team until they faced North Texas. The Wildcats are on an upward trend in forcing turnovers and winning the possession battle. The Wildcats are ranked #6 in the nation.
The Baylor Bears will be the best team Villanova has faced by far. The #1 South Region Bears from last season are back and it is still all about the Baylor Defense. Guard Davion Mitchell may be gone to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, but the depth of the program has stepped up. They are still ready to shoot from beyond the arc, still keeping a low turnover rate, and have plugged in a new scorer. The Bears are ranked #2 in the nation.
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Villanova Wildcats vs Baylor Bears Preview and Analysis
RECENT FORM
Villanova is 7-2 on the season, but 5-4 ATS. They have logged 4 Overs and 5 Unders. They are 1-1 in road games. They lost to UCLA and Purdue so far, both really good teams. The Villanova odds should be good in this game as they have tested their mettle against tougher competition… They may not be favored but they should at least hang in there.
Baylor is 8-0 on the season, but 5-2-1 ATS. They have notched 4 Overs and 4 Unders. They have beaten a who’s who in college basketball. Like Incarnate Wood… Who? .. Nicholls State… Who?.. Central Arkansas… Why Bother? Then they got on to real schools and plowed through Stanford, Arizona State, Michigan State… Everything is seen as practice before Gonzaga.
OFFENSIVE ANALYSIS
Villanova is 71st in points per game with 78.2, 160th in rebounds with 33.7 per game, and 6th in AST/TO ratio with 1.7. They won their last game over the Syracuse Orange 67-53. It was also a win ATS. The Wildcats are shooting 44.6 FG% and 39.2 3PT%.
Baylor is 14th in points per game with 84, 43rd in rebounds with 37.3, 19th in AST/TO ratio with 1.5. They won their last game against Arkansas Pine Bluff (Who?) 99-54 and in the process covered a massive -38.5 point spread. Baylor is shooting 48.3 FG% and 34.7 3PT%
DEFENSIVE ANALYSIS
Villanova is 346th in blocks with 1.7 per game. They are ranked 61st on defense, only allowing 62 ppg. They allow 40.9% FG and 33% 3PT
Baylor is 117th in Blocks with a whopping 3.9 per game. They are ranked 9th in defense and only allow a stingy 56.4 ppg. They allow 39.3 FG% and 28.8 3PT%
Villanova Wildcats vs Baylor Bears Prediction
Our prediction for Sunday, December 12th, is… Baylor 86 - Villanova 75
Baylor is ready to strike. These teams have met in big time tournament games and Baylor will not let Villanova off the hook for a second. The defending Champs will defend.
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NCAAF Betting Trends
Villanova is 17-7 ATS against Big 12 conference opponents since 1997.
Baylor is 2-0 ATS versus Villanova over the last 3 seasons.
1 of 2 of these games have gone Over.
These teams have never before played each other AT BAYLOR before.
Starting Lineups
Villanova: PG Collin Gillespie, SG Justin Moore, F Brandon Skater, F Jermaine Samuels, F Eric Dixon
Baylor: C Flo Thamba, G Kendall Brown, G Adam Flagler, G James Akinjo, G Matthew Mayer
Statistical Leaders
Villanova
Points: Collin Gillespie 17.3
Assists: Collin Gillespie 3.7
Rebounds: Jermaine Samuels 6.1
Steals: Collin Gillespie 1.4
Blocks: Jermaine Samuels 0.8
Baylor
Points: LJ Cryer 15.4
Assists: James Akinjo 6.1
Rebounds: Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua 8.3
Steals: James Akinjo 2.3
Blocks Flo Thamba 1.1
Coaches
Villanova: Jay Wright. Coach Wright has built a powerhouse program with Villanova Basketball. He has had the job since 2001 and it has resulted in 2 National Championships, 3 Final Fours, regular season Big East titles and 4 Big East Tournament Champions. He also won the AP Coach of the Decade for the 2010s. His record at Villanova is 497-192.
Baylor: Scott Drew. Coach Drew has had the Baylor job since 2003. He is the reigning tournament Champ and 2x Big 12 Coach of the Year. He is 380-215 at Baylor and makes almost $3 million year.
James Q
About the Author:
James Q. has been involved with sports and gambling his entire life. A former division 1 scholarship basketball player, James understands sports (and especially basketball) inside-and-out. Following his basketball playing days, James parlayed his gambling skills into a semi-pro poker career. James resides in Los Angeles, and especially loves the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Rams, and Los Angeles Dodgers. And when he isn't betting on sports (and writing about it), James can be found performing stand-up comedy on the Sunset Strip.
