The VIllanova WIldcats got a huge scare last time out against DePaul but escaped with the victory to remain undefeated on the season. The No. 1 ranked team in the country will now prepare for an epic Big East clash against fellow undefeated the Creighton Bluejays.
Creighton is the home team and ranked No. 10 in the nation so this will be one of the most heavily-anticipated games of the season up to this point. Villanova may have been caught looking ahead and almost got upset by the Blue Demons but enter unblemished and should be favored despite playing on the road.
Even so, Creighton is a legitimate foe which may be able to defend its home court and come away victorious as the underdog.
At 12:30 p.m. ET, tune into CBS for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Odds at BookMaker.eu
Villanova is 13-0 straight up and 8-5 against the spread on the season. The Wildcats have been favored in every game this season and have covered in both of their true road games this year. Villanova will likely be giving points in a tough environment but is talented enough to come away with the win.
Creighton is 13-0 straight up as well, and has gone 9-2-1 against the spread. The Bluejays are 4-1-1 against the spread at home this year. They have only been the underdog in one game thus far but were able to cover the spread in that one.
Player to Watch
Josh Hart -- Villanova’s senior guard is a National Player of the Year candidate with the way he’s been playing thus far. Hart is averaging 20.1 points per game with 6.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He is shooting 56 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from three-point range as there are very few holes in his game.
Hart came up big last time out against DePaul, hitting a late three-pointer to secure the victory and help his team avoid the upset. Hart’s excellence has played a large role in Villanova ascending to No. 1 nationally and being looked at as a legitimate national championship contender.
Hart has saved some of his best performances for tough competition, highlighted by a breakout 37-point game against No. 23 Notre Dame a few games back.
Key Stat
89.8 . That’s the number of points per game Creighton is averaging on the season. The Bluejays are shooting a sparkling 53.8 percent from the field and are averaging 19.0 assists per game so the ball movement is impressive.
Marcus Foster leads the way with 19.1 points per game while Maurice Watson adds 12.8 points and 9.0 assists. Khryi Thomas and Justin Patton are each averaging more than 12 points per game as the team has nice offensive balance.
Creighton has scored over 100 points three times this season but may have a tough time reaching their average against a Villanova defense which only allows 61.2 points per game.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Villanova is an elite team and there is no questioning its worth among the top teams in the nation. However, on this night, Creighton is going to be the team to emerge victorious.
It’s going to be a hyped up crowd and the Bluejays are a legitimate opponent. While Creighton isn’t going to light up the scoreboard as much as it is used to, there are enough offensive weapons to spring the upset. Go with the Bluejays to remain undefeated and put the rest of the college basketball on notice that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Villanova’s reign at No. 1 will end with a loss in this one.
College Basketball Odds: Creighton 75, Villanova 74
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