UConn Huskies vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/11/2022

by Amedeus Mastrangelo

Friday, Mar 11, 2022
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Friday, March 11, 2022
Venue:  Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

 

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  UConn +4, Villanova -4; Over/Under:  131.5 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  UConn +4, Villanova -4; Over/Under:  131.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  UConn +4, Villanova -4; Over/Under:  131.5 points
 

Season Record

UConn Huskies:  24-8 (3rd place, Big East)
Villanova Wildcats:  25-7 (2nd place, Big East)
 
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UConn Huskies vs Villanova Wildcats Preview and Analysis

 
Recent Form
UConn Huskies:  4-1 last 5
Villanova Wildcats:  4-1 last 5
 
 
 

UConn Huskies Analysis

UConn is coming into this game with a 24-8 record overall and they are 5-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They have a record of 13-6 this season against conference opponents. They have won 7 of their last 8 games and are coming into this one on a 2 game winning streak. Their last loss was against the Creighton Bluejays while their 2 wins since then have come against the DePaul Blue Demons and the Seton Hall Pirates in their last game. Tyrese Martin and RJ Cole both led the team in points in that game with 17 each while Isaiah Whaley was next on the team with 10 points. Martin and Andre Jackson both led the team in assists in that game with 4 each while Adama Sanogo led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 36.1% from the field, 30% from 3-point range, and 85.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 76.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 65.7 PPG against them. UConn has an ATS record of 12-17-1 this season and their O/U record is 18-12.
 
 

Villanova Wildcats Analysis

Villanova is coming into this game with a 24-7 record overall and they are 3-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They have a record of 16-4 against conference opponents this season. They have won 8 of their last 9 games and are coming into this one on a 3 game winning streak. Their last loss was against the UConn Huskies while their 3 wins since then have come against the Providence Friars, the Butler Bulldogs, and the St. John's Red Storm in their last game. Caleb Daniels led the team in points in that game with 19 while Justin Moore was next on the team with 15 points. Collin Gillespie led the team in assists in that game with 3 while Eric Dixon led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 35.7% from the field, 31% from 3-point range, and 85% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 73.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 63.6 PPG against them. Villanova has an ATS record of 15-14-2 this season and their O/U record is 16-14-1.
 

 

UConn vs Villanova Prediction

UConn is coming into this game as a 4 point underdog with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. UConn has been playing very well in their recent games and they are coming off of a big win against SHU in the last round by 10 points. Of all the top 3 teams in the Big East, they were the only team to win their game impressively and they had to play against the toughest opponent of the 3. Providence barely won against Butler after trailing the whole game and Villanova squeaked by St. John's by 1 point in that win. UConn is playing the best right now of all the teams left and they actually beat Villanova by 2 points a little over a week ago. Villanova will come for their revenge here but they really did not play well in their last game and they have struggled in their last 3 games against conference opponents as all 3 games were within 5 points. UConn is playing much better right now and even though they may not win this game, They will keep it close enough to cover the spread as this could end up being a 1 or 2 point game.
 
UConn Villanova Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, March 11, 2022 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Uconn 71 Villanova 70.
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NCAAB Betting Trends

 
UConn Huskies: 1-5 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 14-8 OVER as an underdog. 36-22 OVER against conference opponents.
Villanova Wildcats: 86-55 ATS off a no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite. 164-118 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins. 6-1 OVER in a neutral court game where the total is 130 to 139.5.
 

Key Injuries

 
UConn Huskies:  J. Hawkins (G) Ques Fri - Concussion.
Villanova Wildcats:  N. Nkoku (F) Ques Fri - Personal. J. Samuels (F) Ques Fri - Back injury.
 

Notable Quotes

 
"That's why you come to a place like UConn. The place was rocking with UConn fans. Tomorrow's gonna be insanity in here." - Dan Hurley after his team’s win against SHU in the last round.
 
 
"We knew coming into this game it was going to be this kind of game. We just toughed it out." - Jay Wright on his team’s close win against St. John’s in the last round.
 
 

Starting Lineups

 
UConn Huskies
R. Cole 
A. Jackson 
T. Martin 
Adama Sanogo 
I. Whaley
 
Villanova Wildcats
E. Dixon 
C. Gillespie 
J. Moore 
Jermaine Samuels 
B. Slater
 

Statistical Leaders

 
UConn Huskies
PPG: R. Cole (15.8)
APG: R. Cole (4.1)
Reb/G: A. Sanogo (8.6)
 
Villanova Wildcats
PPG: C. Gillespie (16.3)
APG: C. Gillespie (3.1)
Reb/G: E. Dixon (6.5)
 
Coaches:
UConn Huskies: Dan Hurley (4th season)
Villanova Wildcats: Jay Wright (21st season)


Amedeus Mastrangelo

About the Author:

Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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