Nova Report
The 16-12 Villanova Wildcats play the 7-20 Seton Hall Pirates at 8:30 pm eastern in the Prudential Center. Nova is -7.5/130.5.
The Pirates knocked off UCONN 3 games ago and gave Xavier all they can handle after almost coming back from a 20 point deficit. Isaiah Coleman, averaging 18 ppg in Big East play has been unstoppable lately. The rest of the team tends to struggle though freshman Godswill Erheriene looks to be improving (10 points last game). The Hall is simply offensively challenged. They play at a slow pace (as does Villanova), can draw fouls but are woeful from deep. Recently, they’ve implemented a ‘Diamond Press’ which caused countless turnovers by both UCONN and Xavier. Expect to see it tonight.
Villanova is coming off of a big home win over Marquette where they were on fire from 3. Defensively, they played with intensity. Can that offense continue? Will they play with intensity vs. the doormat of the Big East? Eric Dixon (22.9 ppg) broke out of a slump and scored 22 vs. Marquette. Brickus was on fire, Poplar was solid but Longino was quiet vs. Marquette.
Laying 7.5 on the road with Nova is risky as 1. They play down to their competition and 2. It’s tough to repeat a huge offensive game back to back. Nonetheless, the coaches will impress upon them that they need to keep improving as they move into March. For Seton Hall, they have nothing to lose. Going against my better judgment and taking Nova/Over in a 5 point teaser.
Nova Pick: 5 point teaser Nova-2.5/Over 125.5
Nova Pick Record:12-16