Nova Report
The 6-1 Villanova Wildcats head east to XFinity Mobile Arena in Philly to take on the 5-3 Penn Quakers in the Big 5 Championship game. Nova is -19.5/148.5. Tip is 7:30 eastern on NBCS-Philadelphia.
Penn has beaten St.Joe’s, LaSalle, Drexel, Merrimack and Rowan. They lost to Providence by 25 and most recently Hofstra by 18. They are led by 6’5” Ethan Roberts (20.3 ppg, 39.4% from 3), 6’9” TJ Power (15.3 ppg, 45.7% from 3) and 6’5” Mike Zanoni (10.6 ppg, 45.1% from 3). They shoot the three well as a team (over 40%), only 45% inside the arc and are soft on the glass. They play typically 7 players. Last out they shot 32% from the field. Expect positive regression today.
For Villanova, Bryce Lindsay has been quiet the last two games (averages 18 ppg). Matt Hodge (11.1 ppg) was 1-11 in his last game. Duke Brennan, the Nova glass cleaner, should have a big night on the boards. Tyler Perkins (12.1 ppg) played for Penn two years ago and will look to make a statement. Freshman guard Acaden Lewis (13.3 ppg) continues to get better. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was tonight’s leading scorer.
Penn will look to get open 3’s vs Villanova’s porous (but improving) 3 point defense. Nova will play man to man and attempt to get Penn to go inside the arc for shots. Both teams did not shoot well in their previous games and they should score more this evening. Nova has better talent and more depth and should put away Penn in the second half. Even though the Cats covered against Temple last out I still am hesitant to lay close to 20 points.
Nova Pick: Over 148 (buying hooker)
Nova Pick Record:3-3-1