The reformed Big East Conference has lived up to its marquee as a super power college basketball conference with the top ranked team in the nation. The number one ranked Villanova Wildcats have somehow been able to maintain good online gambling value despite emerging as one of the consistently elite programs in the country. The sharp dressed and handsome Jay Wright only adds to the Villanova appeal as one of the top coaches in the country. This combination of style and success has drawn a lot of betting action towards Nova. The Wildcats host Creighton on Thursday.
Back at it tomorrow night vs. Creighton! #GoNova #NOVAvsCreighton #BIGEASThoops
Tickets: https://t.co/dZ4oTu1vMr
Preview: https://t.co/OKjKYEX24p pic.twitter.com/9R09645fwL— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) February 1, 2018
Creighton Bluejays vs. #1 Villanova Wildcats
Date and Time: Thursday, February 1, 2018, 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
Creighton +13 (-110) 163 (-110)
Villanova -13 (-110) 163 (-110)
Bluejays vs. Wildcats TV Coverage: FS1
Creighton
The Creighton Bluejays are a bubble team for March Madness betting and an inconsistent online gambling commodity both on the hardwood and at the cashier’s cage. Head coach Greg McDermott’s Jays are 17-5 straight up and 12-9 against the spread. On the road the Bluejays are just 3-4 against the spread with four of their seven away games going over the total. Creighton is coming off an 85-77 win over Georgetown as 12 point overlays. The under has hit in seven out of the last nine games for Creighton. In the Big East standings Creighton is in third place behind Xavier and Villanova. Offense is the emphasis of McDermott’s program in the most extreme sense. While Creighton ranks sixth in the nation for scoring offense the Bluejays ranks 200th in the nation for scoring defense.
Villanova
The Villanova Wildcats have a record of 20-1 straight up and 14-7 against the spread. At the Wells Fargo Center the Wildcats are 4-3 against the spread with five out of their seven home games going over the total. Jay Wright’s club escaped Marquette with an 85-82 road win as seven point overlays. Gamblers have been treated well by Villanova recently with three payouts in the last four games. High octane offensive basketball is also the signature of the Villanova program. The Wildcats rank fifth in the nation for scoring offense and 103rd for scoring defense. Jalen Brunson leads Nova with 19.4 points per game. In the win at Marquette Brunson drained 31 points.
Team vs. Team
Jay Wright’s Villanova team has dominated the sportsbook number against Creighton. Villanova has won seven consecutive straight up games against Creighton with six payouts in that span. This head to head series has gone under the total in four straight games. Home court has proven to be a huge advantage for the Wildcats against Creighton. Nova has three straight payouts over Creighton at the Wells Fargo Center with all three games going under the total.
Matchup to Watch
Creighton actually gets lost in the shuffle in this matchup as a quality college basketball team with above average betting potential. But the fact remains that the Villanova Wildcats are the clearly superior online gambling commodity in this matchup with better balance. Creighton is too one dimensional and lacks the defense to keep pace against Nova.
Bluejays vs. Wildcats NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
Creighton is capable but the trends and current play both point to Villanova.
NCAA Betting Online Pick: Villanova Wildcats
NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Wildcats 88, Bluejays 71