Nova -1½ vs Pitt
Game Time: 1/29/2007 7:00:00 PM
By: Michael Alexander
A crucial Big East contest tonight has Pittsburgh traveling to Villanova. Take the Wildcats at home over the Panthers.
The Pittsburgh Panthers take their two game winning streak on the road as they face conference opponent Villanova.
The Panthers have been playing well, winning nine of their last 10 games and have racked up a 19-3 overall mark. They have padded their backers pockets as well going 11-7 against the spread but haven't been as profitable on the road going only 4-4 against the spread.
The Panthers' strength this season lies in their defense as they are giving up an average of only 61.3 points per game while their opponents are hitting only 39.9% of their shots. They do slip on the road a bit as their total jumps over seven points to 68.7.
The Villanova Wildcats had their two game winning streak snapped on Saturday as they lost on the road to Notre Dame, 66-63, after leading most of the game. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 14-6 overall, including 5-2 at home. They have also padded their backers pockets this season going 10-6 against the spread including 4-2 against the spread at home.
The strength of Villanova lies in their offense as they are scoring a potent 82.9 points per game when playing on their home floor while hitting 42.9% of their shots from the floor. Their defense hasn't been all that shabby either as they give up a very respectable 66.2 points per game.
Things to consider: Pittsburgh is 5-15 ATS after two straight games where their opponent was called for 15 or less fouls since 1997. Villanova is 9-1 ATS in home games when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. greater than .800) over the last three seasons. Villanova is 20-8 ATS versus good rebounding teams that are outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game over the last three seasons.
The last 12 times either of these teams traveled to the other's court, they came away with an ATS loss. Tonight will make it 13. I'm taking Villanova in this one.
Play: Villanova -1½
Game Time: 1/29/2007 7:00:00 PM
By: Michael Alexander
A crucial Big East contest tonight has Pittsburgh traveling to Villanova. Take the Wildcats at home over the Panthers.
The Pittsburgh Panthers take their two game winning streak on the road as they face conference opponent Villanova.
The Panthers have been playing well, winning nine of their last 10 games and have racked up a 19-3 overall mark. They have padded their backers pockets as well going 11-7 against the spread but haven't been as profitable on the road going only 4-4 against the spread.
The Panthers' strength this season lies in their defense as they are giving up an average of only 61.3 points per game while their opponents are hitting only 39.9% of their shots. They do slip on the road a bit as their total jumps over seven points to 68.7.
The Villanova Wildcats had their two game winning streak snapped on Saturday as they lost on the road to Notre Dame, 66-63, after leading most of the game. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 14-6 overall, including 5-2 at home. They have also padded their backers pockets this season going 10-6 against the spread including 4-2 against the spread at home.
The strength of Villanova lies in their offense as they are scoring a potent 82.9 points per game when playing on their home floor while hitting 42.9% of their shots from the floor. Their defense hasn't been all that shabby either as they give up a very respectable 66.2 points per game.
Things to consider: Pittsburgh is 5-15 ATS after two straight games where their opponent was called for 15 or less fouls since 1997. Villanova is 9-1 ATS in home games when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. greater than .800) over the last three seasons. Villanova is 20-8 ATS versus good rebounding teams that are outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game over the last three seasons.
The last 12 times either of these teams traveled to the other's court, they came away with an ATS loss. Tonight will make it 13. I'm taking Villanova in this one.
Play: Villanova -1½
