Nova Report
The 14-4 Villanova Wildcats are on campus to play the 9-9 Georgetown Hoyas. Tip is 7:00 pm eastern on Peacock. Villanova is -8.5/143.5.
The Hoyas lost their last game played by 2 to the #2 ranked UCONN Huskies while the Wildcats were beaten by St.John’s by 7. Georgetown has been close in all of their Big East games but just can’t close to get the win.
They are led by a pair of excellent guards: KJ Lewis (14.8 ppg, 31.5% from 3) and Malik Mack (14.3 ppg, 32.7% from 3). They have a pair of 7 footers (Iwuchuckwu and Halaifonoa both averaging just over 10 ppg). 6’7” Caleb Williams averages 10.2 ppg and 39% from 3 plus Isaiah Abraham 6.5 ppg, 43.2% from 3, rounds out their top players. Overall, they do not turnover the ball much nor force turnovers. They out rebound their opponents, allow 34.3% from 3 and are typically not as efficient shooters from 2 as their opponents.
For the Wildcats, they were badly out rebounded by St.John’s in their last game and outshot 52% to 44%. The Cats Achilles heel is going against teams that are tall and strong. Georgetown fits the tall part but aren’t as physically strong as the two teams that made Nova look bad: Michigan and St.Johns.
Nova has lost games to Creighton and St. John’s at home. This is a game they can’t afford to lose if they want to eventually secure a bid to the Big Dance. The Cats have sputtered offensively as of late and have just not defended well in transition or beyond the arc. Nova fans are waiting for top scorer Bryce Lindsay to get on track. He’s been in a 4 game shooting slump. Personally, I hope he waits until Saturday at UCONN. Acaden Lewis was a little sloppy at guard vs. St John’s. He should fare better today. Hodge struggled shooting last out and he should get open looks. Brennan and Perkins have been solid. Askew has been making key baskets. The key for both teams is rebounding and keeping their key players out of foul trouble.
The opening line was -10.5 and it didn’t take too long to get to -8.5. It’s possible that Nova wakes up offensively and covers the number. It’s also possible that the Hoyas take the Cats to the wire.
Nova Pick: 5 point teaser Nova-3.5/Over 138.5
Nova Pick Record:9-8-1