Sweet 16 Predictions and Betting Preview: Villanova vs Michigan
Sportsmemo content contributor Kyle Kargel gives his Villanova vs Michigan predictions and betting preview for the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 24. At the time of posting, the Wildcats are favored by 5-points against the Wolverines with the total sitting at 135 points.
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Thursday, March 24 | Sweet 16 Betting Notes |
---|---|
Point Spread: | Villanova Wildcats -5 vs Michigan Wolverines |
Total: | 135 Points |
Game Time: | Approx. 7:29pm ET / 4:29pm PT |
Arena: | AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX |
TV: | TBS |
Villanova vs Michigan Analysis
Like a few other teams in the tournament, no one expected Michigan to make it this far after wins over Colorado State and Tennessee.
They were 6.5 point underdogs before prevailing in a tightly contested game against the Volunteers last weekend 76-68. They’ll have one more day of rest than their opponent Villanova who were able to hold off a late charge by Ohio State winning 71-61.
The Wildcats will face their second Big Ten opponent in a row and will once again rely on the leadership of “Mr. Villanova” himself Colin Gillespie.
It may take more than leadership though to take down a Michigan team that had high expectations coming into this season.
Michigan Making Most of NCAA Tournament Birth
The Wolverines were led by big man Hunter Dickinson who put up 27 points on 8-13 shooting and 3-5 from three against Tennessee showing versatility all over the floor including offense and defense.
He’s a menace down low and if/when he gets the three point shot going, he can be the most effective center in the country.
The three three pointers were the most he’s had in a game since a February 10 win over another Sweet 16 team, Purdue which should tell us that when he’s on from deep, the Wolverines as a team can be hard to beat as this opens up the floor for other players to be effective.
This includes fifth-year senior leader Eli Brooks who put in 23 points himself on 9-14 shooting showing elusiveness near the rim, making a clutch hook shot with under a minute left to put the Wolverines up two possessions against Tennessee.
In order to bear Villanova though it will take a team effort. This includes Caleb Houstan who didn’t score a single point against the Volunteers.
He will need to break out of his shell, especially if the Wolverines are without starting point guard Devonte Jones as he’s been in and out of the line up over the past few games with concussion symptoms.
Wildcats Outwork Buckeyes
Sophomore forward Eric Dixon will likely be the one with the tough task of playing defense on Hunter Dickinson which could be tough considering Dickinson is seven feet tall and he’s 6’8” making him the tallest Wildcats player in their rotation.
Although for what it’s worth Player of the Year Candidate E.J. Liddell put up 17 points on the Wildcats and they were still able to come away with a double digit victory.
Where Villanova will have to get creative is with forward Jermaine Samuels who was able to compile 17 points himself on 7-9 shooting.
It’s not going to be easy though as the Wolverines’ Musa Diabate possesses enough talent at 6’11” on the offensive and defensive end to contribute down low for the Wolverines.
Villanova will be forced to create more scoring from outside which will have to be from Gillespie. He did score 20 points against Ohio State but wasn’t as efficient, only going 5-14 and 2-9 from three.
Villanova vs Michigan Prediction
At the time of this writing the line for this one favors Villanova by five points. I think the size advantage alone the Wolverines will have is enough to keep this one within that amount.
Unless Villanova starts shooting the lights out from three the Wolverines may have a shot at winning this game, but at the very least, take the Wolverines plus the points and if the sportsbook you use offers college player props, take Dickinson to go over his projected points total.
Prediction: Michigan Wolverines +5
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Villanova vs Michigan GoldSheet Preview
College Basketball Stat Sheet
GoldSheet prepares a daily college basketball stat sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Thursday’s sheet, with notes on the Villanova vs Michigan contest.
NCAAB Odds Screen
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