College Basketball: Villanova at Pitt
Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 4:00 ET (Broadcast on CBS)
Pitt goes for Big East crown against fading Villanova
WILDCATS: Villanova is finding the end of the regular season difficult, as they've lost their past 3 games and 5 of their last 7 SU overall. The Wildcats have looked like a tired bunch of late, ultimately losing their last 2 games by a combined 34 points. Villanova is 21-9 SU this season, which has earned them a national ranking of #19 this year. The Wildcats are just 11-15-1 ATS overall this season. Villanova has lost their last 2 meetings SU with Pittsburgh, dating back to 2009. The Wildcats are 7-4 SU and 3-7 ATS in true road games this season. Villanova is 2-1 ATS as the listed underdog this year. G Corey Fisher is averaging Villanova high's of 15.7 PPG and 5 APG this season. The Wildcats are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games following an ATS loss. Villanova is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games. The Wildcats are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 against the Big East Conference. Villanova is 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games following a SU loss. The Wildcats are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Wildcats are 1-10 ATS last 11 games overall. Under is 8-1 last 9 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Injuries: G Corey Fisher (knee) is probable.
Villanova motivated by Big East seeding [Philly.com]
PANTHERS: (-9.5, O/U 135.5) Pittsburgh has alternated wins and losses over their last 4 games, as they are battling for a #1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Pittsburgh is leading the toughest conference in the nation, the Big East Conference. The Panthers are currently ranked 5th in the nation, thanks to a 26-4 SU and 13-12 ATS record. Pittsburgh is 16-1 SU at home this year, yet just 6-7 ATS. The Panthers are 1-2 ATS as a home favorite between 9.5 and 12 PTS this season. Pittsburgh is 10-7 ATS against the Big East Conference this year. Even in defeat, the Panthers are still competitive. Their past 2 SU losses have come by a total of 4 PTS, with one game even going to overtime. G Ashton Gibbs is averaging a Panthers high 16.3 PPG this year, while shooting nearly 47% from the 3 point line. G Brad Wanamaker is averaging 12.2 PPG and a team high 5.1 APG this year. The Panthers are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games as a home favorite between 7 and 12.5 points.
Panthers are 6-2 ATS last 8 home games against a team with a winning road record. Over is 6-0 last 6 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Injuries: F Talib Zanna (thumb) is out.
Pitt seniors want undisputed Big East title [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
Projected Score: Pitt 71, Villanova 58
Comment . . .
What do you think are the key handicapping factors in this game?