Villanova Wildcats vs. Seton Hall Pirates College Basketball prediction, preview
Both Villanova and Seton Hall have exceeded expectations out of the gate, at least up against what oddsmakers projected these teams to be. The 9-2 Wildcats are 8-3 ATS and the 11-1 Pirates are 8-4 ATS. Neither team has a bad loss, with Seton Hall falling in the championship game in Maui to USC, and ‘Nova’s losses as an underdog to loaded BYU and Michigan squads.
This should be a terrific matchup on Tuesday night in New Jersey, in what’s really the game of the week, given the break that college hoops takes over Christmas. As terrific as Seton Hall has been this season, going against the Pirates as a home favorite is actually where you want to target them if you’re going to fade them.
Seton Hall is a perfect 5-0 ATS away from home and 4-0 ATS as an underdog. On Tuesday the Pirates are neither — just 3-4 ATS as a home favorite. Villanova has been tremendous in road/neutral environments, including a win as a road dog at Wisconsin on Friday night (in Milwaukee). The reason the Wildcats have been so good is their balance — KenPom ranks them 30th in offensive rating and 37th in defensive rating.
Playing against Seton Hall isn’t pleasant — KenPom ranks the Pirates 13th in defensive rating. However, with ‘Nova’s three guards all shooting over 40% from downtown, I think spacing the floor and finding good looks represents a reasonable game plan to offset the Pirate’s tenacious defense. With Seton Hall just 115th in offensive rating, ‘Nova should have a clear advantage scoring the ball.
I like what Villanova has put together this season, and this team has already proven capable of going into hostile atmospheres and getting gritty wins. I like the Wildcats to do so again on Tuesday in Newark.
