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The DePaul Blue Demons once again bring up the rear of the Big East standings. They’ve won a grand total of one game in conference play, and likely won’t be tallying No. 2 this evening against the No. 2 ranked Villanova Wildcats. It is however possible that the Blue Demons find a way to cover the game with the Cats invading the Windy City off what’s likely to be an incredibly physical game with Xavier.
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Though Jay Wright’s kids find themselves situated atop the Big East standings with a 23-2 overall record and 10-2 conference record, they’ve done nothing but cost those that backed them on the betting line some big money. After failing to log a cover against Georgetown last time out, Nova saw its losing streak against the line makers increase to six straight. It’s failed to cover two straight in the visitor’s role, but has been straight money on the road for under bettors with it cashing in every game.
DePaul is the only team in the Big East that’s failed to tally 10 wins on the season. This program is stealing money every year it continues to remain a member of the conference. While Villanova has had its fair share of issues covering point spreads, they pale in comparison to the Blue Demons who are tied with Georgetown for the worst overall against the spread record at 8-15. It has however been its most competitive at home where it sits two games over .500 and 6-7 against the spread.
Key Stat
16.7 – This is the amount of personal fouls the defending champs have committed over their last three games. That’s just over 2 more fouls per game than their seasonal average. On top of that, they’ve averaged 15.7 fouls per game when on the road. The absolute one thing the DePaul Blue Demons have been able to do well this season is convert at the charity stripe. It’s knocking them down at a 74.8 percent clip ( No. 41 ), and converted six of just seven attempts against Villanova in the team’s earlier season meeting. If it can get to the line more often in this one, it should allow for them to stick close once again.
Last Meeting
The Blue Demons hung tough in both team’s Big East opener back on December 28. DePaul actually held a 53-51 lead with six and a half minutes remaining in the game, and only trailed 63-62 with just over 37 seconds remaining. Nova ended up sealing the deal from the free throw line to secure the 68-65 win and avoid the embarrassment of having their 45 game home win streak snapped by a team they were favored to beat by nearly 25 points. The loss was DePaul’s 13th straight against the Wildcats, and they’ll take the floor on Monday having dropped six straight to them at home.
Free College Basketball ATS Pick
This will be the sandwich game of a three-game gauntlet that kicks off with a visit from Creighton and ends with a trip to Hinkle Fieldhouse to battle the Butler Bulldogs. You can’t help but feel for Dave Leitao’s squad, but it doesn’t want any of your sympathy. Though it’ll likely enter this tilt losers of eight in a row, the team has been battling of late. It’s covered three of its last five and the two games not covered saw it come short of the pointspread by an average of just 3.0 points per loss.
Villanova has left Chicago with a double-digit win in each of its last four visits and will be heavily favored to win this game as well. DePaul did however do a great job of breaking down the Wildcats’ defense in the first meeting, and also outboarded them 30-28. Look for the Blue Demons guards to give Nova headaches once again to keep their squad in this one all the way through.
College Basketball Odds: Villanova 74, DePaul 68
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