The Big East will have its top two teams set for a duel in Philadelphia this coming weekend, with the No. 12 Seton Hall Pirates meeting the No. 10 Villanova Wildcats in a game that could determine which is the best team in the conference. Seton Hall and Villanova are +2500 and +3000 to win the national title, respectively.
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Betting Preview for the Seton Hall Pirates vs Villanova Wildcats NCAA College Basketball Game on February 8 2020
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
When: Saturday, February 8, 2020, 2:30 PM ET
Line: Seton Hall Pirates (Odds) vs. Villanova Wildcats (Odds) – view all 2019-20 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Seton Hall Pirates (16-5 Overall / 8-1 Conference)
The Pirates had their 10-game win streak snapped last Saturday, as they were defeated by the Xavier Musketeers at home, 74-62. You can say that Seton Hall had that kind of loss coming following two games of subpar showings in wins over the Providence Friars and the DePaul Blue Demons. Perhaps the loss to Xavier could serve as a wake-up call for Myles Powell and the rest of the Pirates, whose strength lies mostly in its defense that ranks 13th in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Pirates are allowing just 89.9 points per 100 possessions and 65.2 points per game. Seton Hall’s ability to defend well against 3-point shooters will be key in defeating Villanova, which is one of the best outside shooting teams not only in the Big East but in the nation as well. The Pirates are holding their opponents down to only 29.6 percent shooting from deep and 39.3 percent from the field.
The Pirates are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last four games versus Villanova.
Betting on the Villanova Wildcats (17-4 Overall / 7-2 Conference)
Like the Pirates, Villanova also had a lengthy unbeaten streak broken last Saturday, when the Wildcats lost to the Creighton Bluejays at home, 76-61. It was the Wildcats’ first loss in eight games. It was also the first time in two years that Villanova was beaten at its home court. Villanova simply just didn’t have it in that game, especially on offense. The Wildcats shot just 36.1 percent from the floor and went 7 of 26 from deep. Saddiq Bey, the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer only had nine points on a salty 4-of-13 shooting. Collin Gillespie, the team’s leading scorer this season, had 18 points, but shot 2 of 8 from behind the arc. A piece of good news for Villanova is Jermaine Samuels seemingly over a sprained left foot that caused him to miss last week’s 79-59 win over the St. John’s Red Storm, as he scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in the Creighton game.
The Wildcats, who are averaging 73.9 points per contest, are 3-3 ATS in their last six home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Villanova wins, 71-69.
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