Butler vs Villanova Expert NCAA Basketball Pick

Posted by Henry Watkins on Friday,February 19, 2016 2:20, EDT in

It is the goal of every team heading into the season to end up at the top of the national rankings, but that has not been a very good place to be this year. The teams that have been #1 have routinely lost shortly after getting there. The Villanova Wildcats are the latest to be sitting in the top spot, and with just a few games left to play, they have to be considered the favorites to stay there. There are a few tricky tests left before they can march into the tournament madness as the top ranked team in the nation, and that begins with a visit by the Butler Bulldogs this coming weekend. Villanova already have a win over the Bulldogs this year, with that one coming on the road. That game was a close one, though, and while Villanova will be the NCAAB betting lines favorites for this game, it is not one that they can take lightly.

How to bet the Butler Vs Villanova NCAAB Odds, TV and Game Info

When: Saturday, February 20, 2:30 PM EST
Where: The Pavilion, Villanova, Pennsylvania
TV: Fox
Radio: 97,5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: FoxSportsGo
NCAAB Odds: TBA

Why bet on the Butler Bulldogs

Butler (18-8, 7-7) were in a pretty good position once non-conference play came to a close, but they came somewhat undone once they started facing other teams in the Big East. The Bulldogs had a pair of wins against ranked opponents earlier in the season, but they have lost all 4 of those games in conference play. One of those losses came at the hands of Villanova, a 60-55 defeat on home court. It has been a little up and down for Butler on the road this season, but they have won their last 2 starts on the road, which is worth considering when you are placing your bets. The Bulldogs are averaging 80.8 PPG, and are giving up 69.8 PPG.

Why bet on the Villanova Wildcats

The Villanova Wildcats (23-3, 12-1) are certainly full value for their top ranking. They are coming into this game on a 6-game winning streak, and they have also won 15 of their last 16 starts. Their only loss in conference play came against the Providence Friars in a game that was initially postponed and played a night after the scheduled date. It’s tough to say whether that had an impact on their performance that night, but it does seem odd that the only game they have lost of late may have been one that they were perhaps not fully prepared to play. That was the only game the Wildcats have lost at home all season long. Villanova are averaging 76.0 PPG, and are giving up just 61.3 PPG.

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Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The Wildcats have been close to impossible to beat at home this season, and I’m not sure that Butler have enough to get the win on the road here. Like the last meeting between these two, I think this one will be pretty tight.

Butler Bulldogs 69 Villanova Wildcats 74