Villanova vs Cincinnati NCAA 2013

BIG EAST CONFERENCE MATCHUP

VILLANOVA WILDCATS (+7.5) VS CINCINNATI BEARCATS 

ODDS: BET365

This Big East matchup will be nationally broadcasted at 8PM EST on ESPN3. The Cincinnati Bearcats (18-6) are trying to turn things around after losing two straight, while Villanova is looking to string three wins together for only the third time this season. For this game I like the points, I’m going with the Wildcats to cover +7.5 in Cincinnati tonight. 

For the first time in three weeks the Bearcats have fallen out of the associated presses top 25 teams in the country. They have been struggling as of late and won’t get any easier as Villanova enters town tonight. The Wildcats have been streaky this season but enter winning two straight and seem to have ironed out the kinks becoming a real threat. They are 4-2 in their last six, with two victories coming at the time against #5 ranked Louisville and #3 ranked Syracuse. Villanova could easily pounce on the snake bitten Bearcats of late. 

Something that could easily decide this game is whether it turns into a foul game when the 2nd half counts down. Cincinnati is 272nd averaging 19 defensive fouls per game. If they get into foul trouble Villanova could easily win this game, they enter the best free-throw shooting team in the country. Look for the Wildcats to drive the ball straight at Cincinnati center Cheikh Mbodj, he is 2nd in the Big East averaging 3.5 fouls per game, and leads the Big Easy with 5 disqualifications this season already. 

This is going to be a tough game for Villanova because Cincinnati will be playing desperate for the victory. I don’t see the Wildcats winning this game but with a spread of +7.5 and how good Villanova has been playing as a team, its tough to pass up the points. Bearcats walk away winners, but only marginally. 

TRENDS 

VILLANOVA 

CINCINNATI 

• 1-9 against the spread in all home lined games this season
• 3-7 against the spread after a conference game this season
• 12-24 straight up when playing on tuesday night the last 3 seasons