It’s an old-school Big East matchup this weekend. Villanova (17-5, 8-3) comes into this matchup with hopes at an NCAA Tournament berth. The Wildcats have surpassed all expectations under new head coach Kevin Willard. They’ll have a chance to pad their resume on the road against Georgetown (13-10, 5-7). The Hoyas, despite a disappointing season, have reeled off four straight wins.
Villanova enters as 4.5-point favorites (-110) over Georgetown. The total is set at 138.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here’s a college basketball pick, preview and prediction for Saturday’s game between the Wildcats and Hoyas.
Villanova vs. Georgetown prediction, preview
Willard’s tenure has been a breath of fresh air for a much-maligned program. Villanova has failed to reach the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons. As things stand right now, they are on track to break that streak. This Wildcats group is formidable due to a lack of notable weaknesses. They rank 31st in adjusted offensive efficiency (121.7) and 37th in adjusted defensive efficiency (99.8) on KenPom. However, a deliberate pace of play limits scoring for both sides.
Nova’s strength is in the backcourt; guards Bryce Lindsay and Tyler Perkins form a lethal guard tandem. Combined, the duo are averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Fellow ball handler Acaden Lewis has also impressed with a team-leading 5.3 assists per game. Down low, Grand Canyon transfer Duke Brennan is putting up a double-double (12.0 PPG, 10.6 REB). Depth is not a strong suit for the Wildcats. Just six players on this squad have notched more than 3.7 points per game.
As for the home team, it’s been a roller coaster ride of a season so far. The Hoyas are one of college basketball’s most inconsistent teams, and it’s reflected in their resume. Georgetown has fallen short against #3 UConn, Creighton, and Seton Hall by single-digits. However, the school has gone just 1-5 against Quad 1 opponents. That includes a 66-51 defeat on the road vs. Villanova in January.
With that being said, Ed Cooley’s crew has gained some momentum in recent weeks. As previously mentioned, the Hoyas have reeled off four straight wins over Providence, DePaul, Butler and Creighton. The latter three are all above-average Big East teams this season. To boot, Georgetown has gone 9-4 when playing at home.
Guards KJ Lewis (15.2 PPG) and Malik Mack (14.2 PPG) carry Georgetown’s scoring. Just one other player, Julius Halaifonua, is putting up double-digit points per game. Cooley, much like Willard, prefers a slower-paced offense. However, the Hoyas have produced at least 70 points in each of their previous four contests. It’ll be interesting to see if that continues against an upper-echelon Big East defense.
Villanova vs. Georgetown pick, best bet
Villanova has shown its mettle in a variety of different situations, especially on the road. Away from Philly, the Wildcats have gone 5-2; that includes victories over Seton Hall, Butler and Wisconsin. An even worse Georgetown group, even on a hot streak, shouldn’t pose a significant challenge. The Hoyas might hang around this afternoon, but I expect the visitors to clear this modest total.
