UConn Huskies vs. Villanova Wildcats NCAAB Betting Lines, and Expert Preview – February 20, 2021
The UConn Huskies are raring to go and face the No. 10 Villanova Wildcats, especially since they know that the current top team in the Big East is fresh off a loss. The Wildcats are always tough to crack, as what the Huskies would likely find in this matchup. We check out each team’s betting background along with their College Basketball odds once they are available.
UConn vs Villanova Game Info
- When: Saturday, February 20, 2021 | 1:00 pmET
- Where: Finneran Pavilion, Pennsylvania
- TV: FOX
- Radio: ESPN Radio 104.5 The Team
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- NCAA Basketball Odds: UConn Huskies (+6.5) / Villanova Wildcats (-6.5) | O/U: 139.0
READ MORE: Virginia vs. Duke NCAA Basketball Odds, Analysis & Prediction
Why Bet on the UConn Huskies?
James Bouknight has finally made his way back to the court after spending weeks away from the action to tend to an injury, and in his first game since January 6, the hotshot Huskies guard dropped 18 points with four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Having Bouknight again means that the Huskies now has a clear go-to scorer who’s also one of the best players in the Big East. Bouknight boosts UConn’s offense that is putting up 71.3 points per game. Bouknight aside, it’s UConn’s defense and rebounding which will mostly define how the Huskies will fare against Villanova.
As of this writing, UConn is No. 1 in the Big East both in defensive rebounds (23.2) and opponents’ points (65.5) per game.
Why Bet on the Villanova Wildcats?
Villanova is aching for a win to rinse off the bad taste of its 86-70 loss in Omaha to the Creighton Bluejays. It was an uncharacteristic loss for Jay Wright’s boys, as the Wildcats registered a poor 37.5 FG%, way below their season standard of 46.1 FG%.
Collin Gillespie, who’s usually reliable on offense, had a rough night against Creighton, shooting just 2 of 8 from the field and finished with eight points. Gillespie is averaging 14.1 points per game this season, so he’ll be eager to break out of his shooting slump this Saturday.
Villanova rarely shoots bad in a game and had just gone 63% from the field in the previous match against the Marquette Golden Eagles. A quick glance at KenPom would reveal that the Wildcats are fifth in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency.
What worried Wright more, however, was his team’s defense. Creighton finished the game with a 59.3 FG% and a 12-of-26 line from behind the arc.
The Wildcats are ranked fourth in the Big East in terms of scoring defense. Big East teams are averaging a shade under 70 points per game on 47.6 FG%.versus ‘Nova this season.
Nevertheless, Villanova is a well-coached team, with Wright at the helm, and he’ll make sure the Wildcats will address their defensive issues and put up a better effort on that end of the floor in the next game. Big East teams are scoring only 69.3 points against Villanova this season.
Villanova Wildcats Betting Trends
- UConn is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games.
- UConn is 7-3 SU in its last 10 home games.
- The Over is 3-0 in Villanova’s last three games.
- Villanova is 5-5 ATS in its last 10 games.
- The Over is 5-0 in UConn’s last five games on a Saturday.
- The Under is 4-1 in Villanova’s last five games against a team with a .500 or better record.
UConn vs. Villanova Expert Betting Prediction
James Bouknight is a game-changing force for UConn. The Huskies are simply a much better team with him around. Bouknight’s offense plus UConn’s defense should give Villanova a run for its money, but then again, the Wildcats have zero Quadrant 2 losses this season.
Speaking of which, UConn has a .500 record (2-2) in Quadrant 1 games and just 1-3 in Quadrant 2 matches. A win over Villanova would certainly and positively impact UConn’s resume for March Madness seedings.
The Wildcats are 3-0 in such games, to date, and features an offense that’s No. 1 in the Big East in adjusted efficiency.
Feel free to browse sports betting guides. While you are at it, go ahead and check out all the latest NCAA Basketball betting odds and lines.
*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice
READ MORE: 2021 March Madness Betting Odds (January)
