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The Villanova Wildcats seek to maintain an upward trajectory with a challenging matchup on Saturday evening. Villanova hosts the No. 14 UConn Huskies at Wells Fargo Center in the final regular season game for both Big East programs. Villanova is 6-1 in the last seven games, improving to 16-14 this season. UConn is 23-7 overall with seven wins in the last eight contests and a victory over Villanova at home on Dec. 28.
Caesars Sportsbook lists the Huskies as 3-point favorites for this 7:30 p.m. ET tip. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 138.5 in the latest UConn vs. Villanova odds. Before making any Villanova vs. UConn picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters Week 17 of the season 76-46 on all-top rated college basketball picks this season, returning more than $1,600 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on UConn vs. Villanova and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Villanova vs. UConn:
- UConn vs. Villanova spread: UConn -3
- UConn vs. Villanova over/under: 138.5 points
- UConn vs. Villanova money line: UConn -150, Villanova +126
- UConn: The Huskies are 9-10 against the spread in Big East games
- NOVA: The Wildcats are 10-9 against the spread in Big East games
- UConn vs. Villanova picks: See picks at SportsLine
Featured Game | Villanova Wildcats vs. Connecticut Huskies
Why UConn can cover
UConn’s defense sets an excellent pace. The Huskies allow 65.0 points per game, No. 1 among Big East teams, and UConn is holding opponents to 41% shooting and 30% from 3-point range. UConn also has conference-best marks in assists allowed and blocked shots, with Villanova entering as one of the worst offensive rebounding teams in the country, securing only 22.5% of missed shots.
On offense, UConn is in the top 10 of the country in adjusted offensive efficiency, and the Huskies dominate the offensive glass. The Huskies secure 39.2% of available offensive rebounds, the nation’s best mark, and UConn grabs more than 40% of missed shots in conference play. With top-three marks in the Big East in 3-pointers per game (9.0), assists percentage (61.9%), assists per game (17.4), free throw attempts per game (19.6) and free throw accuracy (76.1%), UConn is exceptionally difficult to stop.
Why Villanova can cover
Villanova is led by junior forward Eric Dixon, who has scored 49 points in the two games. Dixon is averaging 16.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season, and the Wildcats are also buoyed by the nation’s best free throw shooting. Villanova is shooting 82.9% from the free throw line, clearing the field by a wide margin, and UConn is dead-last in the Big East in free throw rate allowed. The Wildcats lead the Big East with only 10.3 turnovers per game, maximizing possessions in an effective manner.
On defense, Villanova is No. 2 in the Big East in securing 74.8% of available rebounds, and opponents are shooting only 32.5% from 3-point range in Big East play. UConn commits a turnover on 18.9% of offensive possessions, further boosting Villanova’s potential defensive efficiency.
How to make UConn vs. Villanova picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 143 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time. You can get the model’s picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Villanova vs. UConn? And which side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.
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