Delaware is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014, and the No. 15 Blue Hens’ reward is a date with No. 2 seed Villanova in South Region action on Friday afternoon from Pittsburgh – so it should be a huge fan advantage for the Wildcats, who are solid favorites.

These schools have played 15 times and Villanova is 15-0. They last met during the 2019-20 season when the two teams faced off in Newark, N.J. as part of the Never Forget Tribute Classic and the Cats won 78-70.

Before all else, Nitrobetting looks at important game details that help you lock in on the best picks. Below, you can find event information, team and player stats, and the latest College Basketball odds. We also have timely betting trends and predictions at your disposal.

Delaware vs. Villanova Game Information

Day 1️⃣ in the books ? #LetsMarchNova #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/wGljkiTpGd

— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) March 18, 2022

• When: Friday, March 18, 2022, 1:45 PM ET
• Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
• TV: CBS
• Radio: 94.7 WDSD-FM (Delaware) / WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM (Villanova)
• Live Stream: March Madness Live
• NCAAB Betting Odds: Delaware (+15.5) / Villanova (-15.5)

Why Bet on the Delaware Blue Hens?

Delaware (22-12) finished fourth in the CAA regular-season standings but upset UNC Wilmington 59-55 on March 8 in the conference tournament title game. Tournament Most Outstanding Player Jyare Davis led the way with 18 points, including a basket with a minute left that put the Blue Hens in front for good. Andrew Carr, who joined Davis on the All-Tournament Team along with Kevin Anderson, recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Jameer Nelson Jr. and Ryan Allen both scored 10 points for Delaware, which limited the Seahawks to 37.0 percent shooting from the field.

Delaware won its sixth conference tournament title in program history and its second in the CAA. It’s the sixth NCAA Tournament for the Blue Hens and first since 2014. Delaware has a balanced lineup with six players averaging at least 9.5 points per game, led by second team All-CAA performer Nelson Jr. who leads the Blue Hens with 13.7 points. Dylan Painter paces UD with 6.6 rebounds and ranks second with an 11.9 scoring average, while Allen is third on the squad at 11.8 points per outing.

Painter appeared in 23 games for the 2018 NCAA national champion Wildcats, averaging 0.9 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest. He started VU’s 2018 season opener against Morgan State and scored three points before electing to transfer.

Why Bet on the Villanova Wildcats?

Villanova (26-7) finished second to Providence in the Big East regular season but won the conference title with a 54-48 win over Creighton last Saturday. Star Collin Gillespie, held without a first-half point, sank consecutive 3-pointers in the final minutes to help carry the Wildcats to their fifth tourney title since 2015. Gillespie finished with 17 points, while Justin Moore added 16 points.

Gillespie was the Big East Player of the Year and third-team All-American. He is the school’s all-time leader in games played (151). In those 151 games, Villanova is 120-31 (.795). With 1,789 points, he stands 13th on VU’s all-time scoring list, and his 471 assists rank 10th all-time.

In each of the nine seasons since the Big East realigned into its current format (2013-14), Villanova has won either a regular season or tournament championship. The Wildcats’ Adjusted Offensive Efficiency number is 118.0 points per 100 possessions (No. 8 in the country). VU’s Adjusted Defensive Efficiency rating is 93.8 points per 100 possessions, which ranks No. 28 in the nation. Villanova averages 9.3 made 3-pointers per game, which ranks 25th nationally.

Villanova has reached the NCAA Tournament for the 16th time in the last 17 seasons and the ninth season in a row (not including the 2020 tournament, which was cancelled). This is the seventh time in the last nine years that the Wildcats have won at least 25 games. Villanova is ranked No. 7 in the NET rankings and owns eight Quad 1 victories on the year, with its overall resume bolstered by 14 victories at road and neutral sites.

This is the seventh time since 2010 that the Wildcats have been a No. 2 seed or higher in the NCAA Tournament. They are 30-13 in NCAA Tournament play since 2005 (.698).

Delaware vs. Villanova Betting Trends

• Delaware is 8-17 ATS in their last 25 games following an ATS win.
• Delaware is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight-up win.
• Delaware is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games as an underdog.
• Villanova is 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 Friday games.
• Villanova is 16-5 ATS in their last 21 NCAA Tournament games.
• Villanova is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games as a favorite.

Delaware vs. Villanova Expert Betting Predictions

Villanova 73, Delaware 60

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2021-22 NCAAB season previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest college basketball odds on our online BTC sportsbook.