Big East Tourney: Providence (+9) vs. Villanova

[t-wizzle]

These two teams split their regular season matchups, each winning on the other's home floor. Providence was really leaking oil down the stretch after a great start. Nova got stronger as the season went on and once again won the regular season title.

Nova plays very solid defense. They limit their mistakes on offense and can beat you a lot of different ways with their versatile players. Hart really developed into a stud this year.

Providence has Kris Dunn who is a sure-fire lottery pick at the point and Bentil down low but outside of that they are probably overmatched. Still, they've proven they can hang with the Wildcats.

I think Ochefu has an ankle injury which really hurts Nova's interior defense. I lean Friars here but no play as of yet. What do you guys think?

[unde0087]

I can see Nova shutting down Ochefu for the rest of the conference tournament if not 100%, Nova will be in serious trouble without him in the big dance as they will have no answer for teams with size.

[Harry N. Lloyd]

Take the points with the Friars.

[KRIT]

Just read that Ochefu is doubtful for tonight. Provo or pass, he is the key to that team.

[Snowball]

i might take ML
Nova might not put 100% into this.

[t-wizzle]

i might take ML
Nova might not put 100% into this.

Why would they not put 100% into this?

[cbiscuit]

I don't see how you could back nova here. Without Ochefu line shoud be -5 at best.

[t-wizzle]

I don't see how you could back nova here. Without Ochefu line shoud be -5 at best.

Stop. Ochefu is not worth 4 points.

[KRIT]

Fwiw nova won at Provo by 12 without ochefu.

[Snowball]

Why would they not put 100% into this?

They are probably a 1 seed even if they lose this.
Nobody in country has fewer losses than Villanova.
They won the Big East regular season.
It's neutral court and Ochefu is questionable.

I can't say this for sure but experience is littered with seeing
teams not give a crap about these conference tournaments.
Motivation is what drives these tournaments. Desperation.

[BigDofBA]

They are probably a 1 seed even if they lose this.
Nobody in country has fewer losses than Villanova.
They won the Big East regular season.
It's neutral court and Ochefu is questionable.

I can't say this for sure but experience is littered with seeing
teams not give a crap about these conference tournaments.
Motivation is what drives these tournaments. Desperation.

I think it a horrible angle to fade a team because they "might" not put a 100% into it.

Teams seem to care when it comes post-season time.

Uconn comes to mind from a few years ago with Kemba Walker. They won the Big East tourney and road the momentum to a national title.

Can you give an example of when a team went out early in their Confernce tourney and then won it all?

Why would you make a bet hoping a team doesn't care? Odds are they do care.

[Snowball]

Going PC +9.5 (-130) and ML.
Ochefu is game-time decision.
Bentil will pentrate. Need rebounds and bench play.
gl. all

[Snowball]

Fwiw nova won at Provo by 12 without ochefu.

PC is better now and Bentil had a bum ankle that game.
Plus PC beat Nova at their place.

[TPowell]

I agree, think Providence hit the dog days of conference play and decided not to play. They've won 4 straight against subpar competition and I think they are much more motivated now. This is the same team that looked VERY good to start the season

[SBRMAN23]

Cant believe i believed the hype and took these bums. Dunn is the most overrated player in the country. When hes one of the best players on the court this guy disappears from games

[drfunkmaster]

[TPowell]

Bentil fouls out with 10 mins left in game after scoring 35+ the night before

[unde0087]

Provo falling apart

[KRIT]

Provo seemed like they really wanted to cover that line. Shooting 2's down 8 with under 25 seconds. Maybe i'm just bitter cause I lost by the hook.

[SBRMAN23]

Provo seemed like they really wanted to cover that line. Shooting 2's down 8 with under 25 seconds. Maybe i'm just bitter cause I lost by the hook.

They didnt look that way for most the game. I think they were just trying to extend the game anyway they can so they were making layups and 2s bad luck for sure Krit. Get em nxt one