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UConn Huskies vs. Villanova Wildcats Gambling & NCAA Handicapping Prediction

Huskies vs Wildcats Pick – NCAA Tournament

The Huskies needed overtime to dispatch St. Joe’s out of the A10 on Thursday. [ad-4468020]

#2 Villanova Wildcats vs. #7 Connecticut Huskies
Saturday March 22
First Niagara Center – Buffalo, NY
9:40PM
Moneyline: Villanova -170, Connecticut +150
Spread: Villanova -3.5
Total: 132.5
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Connecticut

They were down significant chunks of the game but were able to stay in it because they barely turned the ball over – just 8 over the whole game – and were not outrebounded too badly.

The strengths of this team really showed as they excelled late in the game and in overtime. Great guards are a real godsend this time of year.

Shabazz Napier did not have a good shooting game but did his usual stat stuffing with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists – all team highs.

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In support were Niels Giffey, DeAndre Daniels and Ryan Boatright who all scored in double figures, boding well for the rest of the tournament. As long as Shabazz does not have to do it completely on his own the Huskies can be a dangerous team.

This region is full of familiar opponents for the Huskies. That will be a small factor in this one but more important will be that they have the steadier hand leading the attack.

I would much rather put my trust in Napier than almost any PG in the tournament and since I would have made this game a pick’em I have to go with the Huskies
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Villanova

The Wildcats earned that lofty seed with their regular season record but I am not convinced they are an elite team.

The final score was flattering in their opener against Wisconsin-Milwaukee but it felt more like they outlasted them than a domination. In this next round they get a very familiar foe in Connecticut, their former Big East brother.

These two teams are both perimeter oriented and the pace of the game should be good.

Unlike UConn the Wildcats are not overly reliants on a single player.

James Bell is the leadering scorer but he JayVaughn Pinkston and Darrn Hilliard all essentially average 14ppg. Villanova plays with intensity and shares the ball well but none of these players are the kind to really take over a game.

I also worry that PG Ryan Arcidiacono can shoot and/or pass the team to a loss. He has been steady this year but the Huskies perimeter players will push him.

Villanova was not supposed to be this good this season and now that they have avoided a first round flameout I feel they are ripe for a fall.

A familiar and experienced team seems just the squad to do it too. Unless the number changes I think all the value is on the other side.

This should be a good game though.

Spread prediction: Connecticut +3.5
Totals prediction: Over
Score prediction: Connecticut 77 – Villanova 70

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.