Posted on
3/11/2008 8:28:36 PM
College Basketball Odds - Villanova vs. Syracuse
By Robby Maddux
There are seven 20-win teams in the Big East, but only one will reign supreme in the conference tourney that tips off at 12:00pm EST on Wednesday. As usually, Madison Square Garden in New York, NY will be the site, starting with a matchup between the Villanova Wildcats and the Syracuse Orange.
Both teams are on the bubble and will have to have strong performances in the Big East tourney to get into the big dance, making this a huge game for both schools and a stellar NCAA basketball betting event.
Syracuse and Villanova split their regular-season meetings straight up and against the spread this year, with the visiting team winning each game by double digits. However, the Orange should have a significant home court advantage in this one.
Villanova enters the game with a record of 12-3, but that record is a bit misleading, considering the Wildcats have only one quality win that
came against a Pittsburgh team that was playing its first Big East game without both Levance Fields and Mike Cook.
Villanova likes to play an up tempo game behind Scottie Reynolds, one of the most talented guards in the Big East. The Wildcats play aggressive defense and like to go for the steals and force turnovers.
Villanova isn't ranked in the top-100 in defensive efficiency, and teams that can exploit their aggressive defense usually don't have a problem scoring on them. The Orange have the second-highest scoring offense in the conference, which should be able to score in the low-mid 80's in the tourney opener.
The Wildcats are a young club and haven't played well away from home. Villanova gives five freshman at least ten minutes a game, and two sophomores 25 minutes a game.
Syracuse is also a young team but is slightly more talented with Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris, and Donte Greene all earning Big East honors.
NCAA Basketball Free Picks: Syracuse
Note: ESPN will broadcast the entire Big East tournament. This will be the last season where only the 12 best records in conference play qualify for the Big East conference tournament. Starting next year, all 16 teams will get a shot to advance to the Big Dance by winning the Big East tourney and gaining automatic entry.
Be sure to checkout the numbers for this great game in the BetUS NCAAB odds.
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