The No. 2 Villanova Wildcats (28-4, 15-4 Big East) challenge the Butler Bulldogs (20-12, 10-9 Big East) in the Big East Conference Tourney at Madison Square Garden. The game begins at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018.
Butler Bulldogs vs. Villanova Wildcats Free Prediction
The Bulldogs will be looking for similar success after barely hanging on to beat the Seton Hall Pirates in their last outing, 75-74. Butler had a turnover percentage of 7.9 (better than their season average of 14.0). Seton Hall, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (15-19; 78.9 percent). Butler rallied around Kamar Baldwin, who was the game’s leading scorer with 32 points on 12-for-20 shooting.
The last time the Wildcats played, they easily got past the Marquette Golden Eagles, 94-70. The Wildcats, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.0, had a phenomenal mark of 34.5 and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.698 (above their season average of 0.597). Mikal Bridges was the game’s high scorer with 25 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
The prolific offense of Villanova (first in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 124.0) will battle against the mid-tier defense of Butler (136th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 102.3). The Wildcats figure to have the advantage on that end of the court. Furthermore, the Bulldogs rank 303rd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.202), while the Wildcats rank 35th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.191).
Bridges has averaged 23.4 points and 1.8 steals over the last five games for Villanova.
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Wildcats won the most recent matchup 86-75. The Wildcats made 20 of their 23 free throws (87.0 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (23.3 vs. 17.1). In the victory, Donte DiVincenzo led all scorers with 30 points.
Butler Bulldogs vs. Villanova Wildcats Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Butler, ATS Winner – Butler, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Villanova ranks 17th in assists per game (16.8) while Butler ranks 125th (14.0).
The Wildcats rank 10th in three pointers attempted per game (28.6) while the Bulldogs rank 110th (23.1).
Villanova ranks 36th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while Butler ranks 121st (3.4).
The Wildcats are ninth in the NCAA with 4.6 steals allowed per game while the Bulldogs are 25th with 5.0 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.0, down from 7.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 87.2 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.4 points per game (1.3 above their season average).
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