Providence at Villanova Lines, Betting Pick & TV Info

In a bit of a strange move, Villanova returned to the top spot in the Associated Press Top 25 this week by jumping over No. 2 Kansas even though KU didn’t lose. The Wildcats shouldn’t have any trouble staying atop the polls as long as they take care of a mediocre Providence team in Saturday afternoon in Philly. Nova will be a solid NCAA Basketball lines favorite.

Providence at Villanova Lines, Betting Pick & TV Info

Nice game by Kyron and the team tonight, 74-56 is the final from D.C. #GoFriars pic.twitter.com/YTgLWv5S3B

— PCFriarsMBB (@PCFriarsmbb) January 17, 2017

When: Saturday, Jan. 21, Noon ETWhere: Wells Fargo Center, PhiladelphiaTV: FoxStream: Fox Sports GoRadio: Providence / VillanovaOpening NCAA Basketball Lines: Villanova favored by TBA

Why Bet On Providence?

Behind a near triple-double from junior point guard Kyron Cartwright, the Friars (13-7, 3-4 Big East) won 74-56 at Georgetown on Monday. The Friars led 42-27 at halftime and Georgetown could not move any closer.Cartwright had 10 points, eight assists and seven rebounds at the half and finished with 16 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. The 11 assists marked a new Big East best for Cartwright, while his nine boards set a new career high. Junior forward Rodney Bullock had 22 points for the second straight game while connecting on 9-of- 18 field goals. It marked his seventh 20+ point game of the season. Junior guard Jalen Lindsey chipped in 14 points, grabbed five rebounds and hit 4-of- 7 3-pointers while junior forward Emmitt Holt added 11 points (4-5 FG).The Friars shot 47.3 percent (26-55) in the game and hit 42.9 percent (9-21) of their shots from beyond the arc. On the strength of Cartwright’s effort, PC dished out 19 assists — the most by the Friars since Dec. 17. Over the last two seasons, Providence and Villanova have played six games. The two teams have met four times during the regular season and have met each of the last two seasons in the Big East Semifinals.The Friars have posted a 111-253 (.305) mark all-time versus top-25 teams, including a 1-4 record this season. The Friars have posted a 2-13 mark all-time versus No. 1 ranked teams. The Friars’ two victories over top-ranked teams were an 82- 81 double overtime win over Michigan on December 29, 1976 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center and an 81-73 win over Pittsburgh on February 24, 2009 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The last time the Friars faced a top-ranked team on the road was November 30, 2014 when the Friars were defeated by Kentucky, 58-38, at Rupp Arena.

Why Bet On Villanova?

The Wildcats celebrated their return to the top spot in the poll with a 76-46 thumping of Seton Hall on Monday. Kris Jenkins (16 points), Josh Hart (11 points, four rebounds and four steals) and Darryl Reynolds (eight points and nine rebounds) set an early tone. The Wildcats posted their 47th straight win in their on-campus arena.It was 36-20 at halftime. Balance defined the Villanova effort in the first half. Each one of the seven Wildcats who saw action scored not fewer than three points (Mikal Bridges) but not more than seven (Jenkins). Meanwhile, VU held the Pirates to 3-of- 15 shooting from inside the arc in building their advantage. Any Pirate hopes of a second half reversal were quickly swept away in a 9-1 burst by the Wildcats to open the second half.In addition to setting a new standard for consecutive Pavilion wins, the Wildcats also earned the 1,700thwin in program annals. Villanova began playing intercollegiate basketball in 1920. Both Hart and Jenkins have played in every game for Villanova since they arrived on campus in 2013.Currently sitting at 129, they’re just 15 games from breaking the school record. If they continue to win, that 15th game would be the Big East Tournament Championship. The Wildcats are led in scoring by Hart. He is averaging 18.8 points per game. Hart, the Preseason Big East Player of the Year, also is leading the team in rebounding (6.5 rpg).According to KenPom, the Wildcats are projected to win the remainder of their regular season games and the Big East Tournament. Last year, the Friars earned an 82-76 overtime win to end Villanova’s 32-game home win streak (that was off campus). Providence and Creighton are the only teams in the last four seasons that have won a road game at Villanova (56-2).

Providence at Villanova Betting Pick: Villanova Wildcats

Villanova will blow out the Friars and cover the big spread.