Friars vs. Wildcats Prediction
The strong defense of the Providence Friars will go up against an elite offense in the 13th-ranked Villanova Wildcats tonight. Will Villanova set the tone and help the total get to the over on its home court?
Game Snapshot
781 Providence Friars at 782 Villanova Wildcats
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Finneran Pavilion at 6:30PM ET
TV: FS1
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Wildcats are a 10.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 135 points. As of Wednesday afternoon, 66 percent of public bets are coming in on host Villanova. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Friars clamp down on Red Storm
Providence earned a 70-56 triumph at St. John’s Saturday to improve to 14-10 overall and 4-7 in the Big East Conference. The Friars pulled away in the second half as they outscored the hosts 39-27. Providence shot 21-of-53 from the floor, 7-of-17 on 3-pointers and 21-of-28 at the free throw line. Nate Watson led the Friars with 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting plus 8-of-10 at the free throw line. He also pulled down five rebounds. Isaiah Jackson accounted for 12 points, seven boards and three assists. David Duke had 11 points and three rebounds. Alpha Diallo added 10 points, 15 caroms and three assists.
Wildcats miss at buzzer
Villanova could not convert on its final possession Saturday afternoon as it lost 66-65 at Marquette to fall to 19-5 overall and 10-1 in the conference. The Wildcats outscored the hosts 39-36 in the second half, but could not get over the hump. Villanova shot 23-of-57 from the field, 9-of-29 from 3-point range and 10-of-15 at the free throw line. Phil Booth paced the Wildcats with 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting including 1-of-7 from 3-point distance plus 4-of-7 at the free throw line. He also tallied three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Eric Paschall registered 17 points, six rebounds and two assists. Saddiq Bey added 10 points, six caroms, three assists and three steals.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Providence
The under is 4-0-1 in the last five Friars road games. The under is 9-1-1 in the last 11 Providence games overall.
Villanova
The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings. The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings at Villanova.
Prediction:
Villanova plays at one of the slowest paces in the country and instead gets it done with efficiency. But the Friars have been exceptional on defense lately, while also not playing at a very fast pace. When these two teams met back on Jan. 5, the final was 65-59 in favor of the Wildcats. Look for another low-scoring affair that stays under the total.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: PROVIDENCE FRIARS/VILLANOVA WILDCATS UNDER 135