Nova Report
The Villanova Wildcats are in East Lansing, Michigan to take on the Michigan State SPARTANS. Sparty is -6.5/130.5. As you may know, they just knocked off the 4th ranked Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday. Previously, they took #2 ranked Gonzaga to the brink and lost by 1. Tonight at 5:00 pm eastern on FS1 they do battle with a team who struggled to beat the 361st ranked team in the country.
On the plus side, Nova matches up pretty well with the likes of Hauser and Sissoko upfront as well as their guards: Hall, Hoggard and Walker. Also, on the plus side, State is coming off an emotionally draining double OT win vs. Kentucky. On the downside, the Cats can’t shoot ! 0-15 from 3 in the first half vs. Delaware State. Additionally, defensively they are having communication issues with their young players.
I have no clue why the line is only -6.5. Traditionally, Nova plays UP to their competition. They will need for a few guys to shoot well to do that tonight.
What Will Happen
State has to be gassed a little. Expect a slow pace from both sides. Nova will try 3’s. Sparty will go inside to knock out Dixon with fouls. The Key for Nova will be Daniels who needs to step up. And, who knows, maybe Freshman Brendan Hauser, the San Antonio Assassin, will have a breakout game from 3. For State, it’s all about how much emotion they can generate and can Hauser continue to dominate both inside and outside. The line tells me, Nova keeps it close.
My Pick: 5 point teaser, Nova+11.5/Over 125.5
Nova Pick Record:1-2