Villanova vs. West Virginia College Basketball Odds & Sweet 16 Preview

The West Virginia Mountaineers have used their “Press Virginia” fullcourt defense to deliver routs against Murray State and Marshall in their first two games in the NCAA men’s tournament thus far. Instead of facing a 12-seed or a 13-seed, though, this time they face the top seed in the East in Villanova, who advanced to the regional semifinal with big wins over Radford and Alabama. Take a look at our College Basketball odds prediction for this Sweet 16 tilt.

Villanova vs. West Virginia College Basketball Odds & Sweet 16 Preview

🎥: ‘Cats met with the media yesterday ahead of Friday’s SWEET 16 Matchup with WVU. #LetsMarchNova #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/xKKBYmQHt3

— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) March 20, 2018

When: Friday, March 23, 2018, 7:27pm ET Where: TD Garden, Boston TV: TBS Radio: None Live Stream: March Madness Live NCAAB Odds: Villanova -5.5, O/U 153

Why should you bet on the Wildcats?

Only two of the four 1-seeds in this tournament have made it to the Sweet 16 (along with two 9-seeds and two 11-seeds), but Villanova has set themselves apart from the competition with the emphatic nature of their victories. They were expected to rout Radford in the first round (and they rolled by 26), but their 23-point win over Alabama was much less competitive than many had expected, especially after Alabama took down Auburn in the SEC Tournament. In that game, Mikal Bridges went 7 for 16 for 23 points and posted three boards and two blocks — all in just 26 minutes. Their offensive style is similar to that of Kansas, and they have the same commitment to rebounding (particularly on the offensive glass) that makes the Jayhawks so dangerous. The Wildcats have covered the spread in five of their last six games and in eight of their last 10 games in March Madness. In their last nine games on a neutral floor, they have covered the spread eight times. In their last 13 games against Big 12 schools, they have covered the spread nine times. If you like Villanova, you see them putting the same damage on West Virginia that the top Big 12 teams were able to do in conference play, and you see the Wildcats simply overwhelming that fullcourt press with their depth and quickness.

Why should you put your money on the Mountaineers?

West Virginia feasted on a relatively easy non-conference schedule to roll to a 15-1 start to their season, but their Big 12 slate tested them, as they went just 9-9 in conference play, including their action in the conference tournament. They have won three games in a row just once during that stretch. In their 94-71 win over Marshall, guard Jevon Carter led the way with 28 points and posted five assists, five rebounds and five steals. That fullcourt press led to six turnovers by Marshall point guard Jon Elmore in the first half alone. The stifling attack was the key for West Virginia in their first two wins — but will it be able to slow down the high-flying Villanova offense? The Mountaineers have covered the spread just three times in their last 11 games coming after another win against the spread, and in just three of their last 11 games against teams from the Big East. If you like West Virginia, whether to win or to cover, you see Villanova succumbing to a defensive look that is different from what they have season throughout this season, and you see West Virginia working hard against a Villanova defense that has gotten key stops in the clutch. Villanova did almost falter against Providence in the Big East Tournament final, so it is possible for a high-octane team to take a run at the Wildcats.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I’ve always thought that “Press Virginia” makes for an energetic, entertaining form of basketball. However, there’s a reason why teams don’t run fullcourt presses all game long in the NBA or at the elite levels of NCAA play — the opposition is simply too quick, particularly on the larger floors that tournament arenas offer. West Virginia’s plan worked against their nonconference slate and to some degree in Big 12 play — and in the opening two rounds — but Villanova will solve it and win, 94-80.