On Friday, 2-seeded Villanova will take on 15-seeded Delaware in Pittsburgh in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The Wildcats, led by head coach Jay Wright, are currently 26-7 on the year, and have won five straight, including the Big East tournament title. Villanova is led by third-team All-American and Big East tournament MVP Collin Gillespie, who is averaging 15.9 points per game and shooting 42% from three on the year.
In addition to Gillespie, the Wildcats have looked to Justin Moore and Jermaine Samuels for scoring help, as the two have combined to average over 25 points per game this season.
Villanova has thrived this season by playing fundamentally-sound basketball, valuing the ball and hitting their free throws at high rates. The Wildcats like to slow down their opponent and look to their veterans to lock down on defense and score in clutch moments.
“I love what Villanova has done,” Fox Sports bracketologist Mike DeCourcy told PSN. “Dual Big East Championships is huge. Number two seed. A great accomplishment. I certainly think they will be playing next weekend in San Antonio, but I think the challenges there for them probably rise a little bit too high.”
Delaware sits at 22-12 on the year, and recently won the CAA tournament title with wins over three of the conference’s top four seeds along the way.
The Blue Hens average 73.8 points per game as a team, led by Jameer Nelson Jr., son of former college and NBA star Jameer Nelson. Nelson averages 13.7 points per game, and is followed by Dylan Painter, Ryan Allen, and Kevin Anderson, who each average more than ten points per game.
While they are in their first tournament since 2014, the Hens have a tough task ahead of them against the red-hot Wildcats.
CHANNEL, TIME
The game will be televised on CBS, with tip-off set for 2:45 p.m.
BETTING LINES
According to Draft Kings, the current spread is Villanova (-15.5), with the moneyline set at Villanova (-1750). The over/under is currently hovering around 133.5 points.
