Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, March 5, 2022
Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Where to Watch: Fox
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Villanova -8.5, Butler +8.5; Over/Under: 128 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Villanova -8.5, Butler +8.5; Over/Under: 128.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Villanova -8.5, Butler +8.5; Over/Under: 128.5 points
Season Record
Villanova Wildcats: 22-7 (2nd place, Big East)
Butler Bulldogs: 13-17 (10th place, Big East)
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Villanova Wildcats vs Butler Bulldogs Preview and Analysis
Recent Form
Villanova Wildcats: 4-1 last 5
Butler Bulldogs: 1-4 last 5
Villanova Wildcats Analysis
Villanova is coming into this game with a 22-7 record overall and they are 8-5 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. This will be their last conference matchup of the year and they are currently 15-4 in their conference games this season. They have won 6 of their last 7 games and are coming into this one off of a win in their last game. Their last loss was against the UConn Huskies while their 6 wins in that span came against the UConn Huskies, the St. John's Red Storm, the Seton Hall Pirates, the Providence Friars, the Georgetown Hoyas, and Providence again in their last game. Caleb Daniels off the bench led the team in points in that game with 20 while Eric Dixon was next on the team with 15 points. Collin Gillespie led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Justin Moore led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 40.4% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 84% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 73.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 63.8 PPG against them. Villanova has an ATS record of 14-13-2 this season and their O/U record is 15-13-1.
Butler Bulldogs Analysis
Butler is coming into this game with a 13-17 record overall and they are 9-6 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. This will be the last conference matchup on their schedule this year and they are currently 6-13 in their conference games this season. Their last win was against the DePaul Blue Demons but they have gone on a 4 game losing streak since then with losses coming against the St. John's Red Storm, the Providence Friars, the Seton Hall Pirates, and the Marquette Golden Eagles in their last game. Bryce Golden led the team in points in that game with 14 while Aaron Thompson was next on the team with 12 points. Thompson led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Bryce Nze led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 38.2% from the field, 17.4% from 3-point range, and 55.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 63.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66.1 PPG against them. Butler has an ATS record of 14-16 this season and their O/U record is 14-16.
Villanova vs Butler Prediction
Villanova has been playing very well in their recent games winning 6 of their last 7 and they will be trying to finish their season strong with a win in this last game. Villanova has played in some close games in their last 2 but both of those games were against top 3 teams in the Big East, both being ranked opponents. Villanova has been winning a lot of their conference games by double digits recently and they have been great all season with a 15-4 record. They have still been a solid 8-5 on the road this season and they are going up against a Butler team that is only 9-6 at home and has not been playing well recently. They are only 6-13 against conference opponents this season and they have lost their last 4 games straight. Their last 3 games have all been losses by single digits though and with this being the last game of the season, they will likely throw everything they have at Villanova to try and get a win here. Villanova is a much stronger team and they will get the win on the road here but Butler will come to play and keep this game close, losing by single digits.
Villanova Butler Prediction: Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, March 5, 2022 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Villanova 76 Butler 70.
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NCAAB Betting Trends
Villanova Wildcats: 168-118 ATS off a home win. 52-28 ATS off a home no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite. 33-22 OVER when the total is 120 to 129.5.
Butler Bulldogs: 13-18 ATS after playing a road game. 19-12 OVER when the total is 129.5 or less. 20-12 OVER revenging a loss vs opponent.
Key Injuries
Villanova Wildcats: None.
Butler Bulldogs: J. Bolden (G) Ques Sat - Back injury. C. David (F) Out indefinitely - Knee injury. P. Thomas (G) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed injury.
Notable Quotes
"How many more of these do we need? We've been in these on the road. We've been in these at home." - Jay Wright after his team’s win against Providence.
“Basketball is a game that I love very much. It's not who I am. It's what I do.” - Jair Bolden on his last game playing for Butler.
Starting Lineups
Villanova Wildcats
E. Dixon
C. Gillespie
J. Moore
Jermaine Samuels
B. Slater
Butler Bulldogs
Bryce Golden
C. Harris
B. Hodges
B. Nze
A. Thompson
Statistical Leaders
Villanova Wildcats
PPG: C. Gillespie (16.5)
APG: C. Gillespie (3)
Reb/G: E. Dixon (6.5)
Butler Bulldogs
PPG: C. Harris (10.4)
APG: A. Thompson (4)
Reb/G: B. Hodges (6.6)
Coaches:
Villanova Wildcats: Jay Wright (21st season)
Butler Bulldogs: LaVall Jordan (5th season)