Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/18/2022

Game Time: 2:45 pm ET, Friday, March 18, 2022

Venue:  PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Where to Watch:  CBS

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Delaware +15.5, Villanova -15.5; Over/Under:  133.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Delaware +15.5, Villanova -15.5; Over/Under:  133.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Delaware +15.5, Villanova -15.5; Over/Under:  133.5 points

 

Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens:  22-12 (4th place, CAA)

Villanova Wildcats:  26-7 (2nd place, Big East)

 

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Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens:  3-2 last 5

Villanova Wildcats:  5-0 last 5

 

 

 

Delaware is coming into this game with a 22-12 record overall and they are 5-2 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. Their last loss was against the UNC Wilmington Seahawks but they have gone on a 3 game winning streak since then with wins coming against the Drexel Dragons, the Towson Tigers, and UNC Wilmington in their last game. Jaylen Sims led the team in points in that game with 18 while Mike Okauru was next on the team with 10 points. Shykeim Phillips, James Baker, Jaylen Sims, and Jamahri Harvey all led the team in assists in that game with 1 each while Tan White led the team in rebounds with 6. They are 46.9% from the field, 35.2% from 3-point range, and 74.3% from the free throw line with their shooting this season. Their offense is averaging 73.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69.9 PPG against them. Delaware has an ATS record of 15-18 this season and their O/U record is 18-15.

 

 

Villanova is coming into this game with a 26-7 record overall and they are 5-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They have won 10 of their last 11 games and are coming into this one on a 5 game winning streak. Their last loss was against the UConn Huskies while their 5 wins since then have come against the Providence Friars, the Butler Bulldogs, the St. John's Red Storm, UConn, and the Creighton Bluejays in their last game. Collin Gillespie led the team in points in that game with 17 while Justin Moore was next on the team with 16 points. Gillespie led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Jermaine Samuels led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 33.3% from the field, 25% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 72.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 63.1 PPG against them. Villanova has an ATS record of 16-15-2 this season and their O/U record is 16-16-1.

 

Villanova is coming into this game as a 15.5 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Villanova has been playing very well in their recent games winning 5 straight, including their Big East tourney which they went on to win. They have not been beating a lot of teams by double digits recently but they have also been playing against stronger teams in their conference as well and they do have a few wins over weaker conference opponents this season by double digits over 20 points. They are going up against a Delaware side that finished 4th in their conference and even struggled against their own conference opponents all season with a 10-8 record. They do not play in a strong conference but they found a way to win 3 straight in their conference tourney and get this bid to the NCAA tourney. Delaware did a very good job to get to this game but this is as far as they will go as Villanova is one of the best teams in the nation and Delaware will not be able to score a lot of points on their defense here while Villanova keeps pulling away in the game. Villanova will cover the spread in this game with a massive win. 

 

Delaware Villanova Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, March 18, 2022 (2:45 pm ET start time) is Villanova 77 Delaware 57.

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Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens: 18-26 ATS after playing a game as favorite. 5-10 ATS off 2 straight wins against conference rivals. 10-3 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive unders.

Villanova Wildcats: 40-14 ATS after 3 or more consecutive unders. 99-60 ATS after allowing 65 points or less 2 straight games. 13-4 UNDER after a win by 6 points or less.

 

 

Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens:  None.

Villanova Wildcats:  None.

 

 

"I can't say enough about our team and our guys belief in each other and in our program. We dug in and guarded against a really good team.” - Martin Ingelsby on his team winning the CAA tourney.

 

 

"I'm still kind of surprised when he makes those plays. It's incredible. But we put it in his hands to make those plays." - Jay Wright after his team won the Big East tourney.

 

 

 

R. Allen 

K. Anderson 

A. Carr 

J. Nelson 

D. Painter

 

E. Dixon 

C. Gillespie 

J. Moore 

Jermaine Samuels 

B. Slater

 

 

PPG: J. Nelson Jr. (14)

APG: K. Anderson (3.6)

Reb/G: D. Painter (6.9)

 

PPG: C. Gillespie (16.3)

APG: C. Gillespie (3.1)

Reb/G: E. Dixon (6.5)

 

Coaches:

Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens: Martin Ingelsby (6th season)

Villanova Wildcats: Jay Wright (21st season)