Virginia Cavaliers vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction, 11/15/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Virginia Cavaliers vs Villanova Wildcats

Date: Friday, November 15, 2024

Location: CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD

TV: ESPN+

The Virginia Cavaliers (2-0) are on their way to CFG Bank Arena on Friday where they will play the Villanova Wildcats (2-2).

The Virginia Cavaliers took the court against Coppin State and went home with a win by a final score of 62-45 in their last game. Virginia ended the contest with a 40.4% FG percentage (21 out of 52) and made 9 of 27 shots from distance. When they shot from the free throw line, the Cavaliers made 11 of 12 attempts for a percentage of 91.7%. In terms of rebounding, they earned 38 with 6 of them being on the offensive end. They also recorded 14 assists in the matchup as well as creating 10 turnovers and earning 7 steals. In terms of the defense, Virginia allowed the other team to go 28.0% from the field on 14 out of 50 shooting. Coppin State distributed 7 assists and had 8 steals in this matchup. Furthermore, Coppin State pulled down 28 rebounds (3 offensive, 25 defensive), but didn't notch a block. Coppin State went 81.3% at the free throw line by knocking down 13 of their 16 shots. They made 4 of their 19 shots from beyond the arc. Regarding fouls, the Cavaliers finished with 13 and Coppin State accumulated 8 fouls.

Elijah Saunders is a player who came through for the game. He accounted for 15 points on 5 out of 9 shooting. He was on the court for 29 mins and also collected 5 boards. He ended up shooting 55.6% from the field and also dished out 1 assist.

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Virginia comes into this one with a win-loss mark of 2-0 for the year. They have an average of 63.5 points per game (334th in the country) on 47.9% from the field. The Cavaliers are hitting 37.5% on shots from beyond the arc (15 of 40) and 73.3% from the charity stripe. As a team, Virginia is pulling in 35.5 rebounds per contest and has accounted for 31 assists on the season, which is 314th in Division 1 in terms of passing. They turn it over 11.5 times per contest and as a squad are committing 13.5 personal fouls on a nightly basis.

When they are on defense, the Cavaliers are forcing their opponents into 9.5 turnovers every game while drawing 12.5 fouls. They give up 31.3% on shots from distance while they are 3rd in college basketball in opponents points per game (50.5). Cavaliers are giving up a FG percentage of 33.0% (35 of 106) and they surrender 27.5 rebounds per game as a unit. They are currently ranked 32nd in college basketball in giving up assists to the opposition with 21 surrendered this year.

For their last game, the Villanova Wildcats took a loss by a score of 83-76 when they faced Saint Joseph's. The Wildcats corralled 26 defensive rebounds and 12 offensive rebounds for a total of 38 in this matchup. They also gave up possession of the ball 13 times, while getting 6 steals in the game. Saint Joseph's earned 15 personal fouls in the matchup which took the Wildcats to the free throw line for a total of 16 tries. They were able to bury 14 of the free throw tries for a rate of 87.5%. With respect to 3-point attempts, Villanova converted 8 out of 23 tries (34.8%). When the final whistle blew, the Wildcats finished 27 out of 66 from the field which had them at 40.9%. The Wildcats permitted Saint Joseph's to make 26 of 60 attempts from the field which gave them a shooting percentage of 43.3% for this contest. They finished 33.3% from three-point range by going 9 of 27 and finished the contest at 22 of 25 at the charity stripe (88.0%). Regarding cleaning the glass, Villanova allowed Saint Joseph's to pull down 28 in all (7 on the offensive side).

Eric Dixon ended up being a major contributor for the Wildcats in this game. He made 8 of 22 for this contest for a field goal percentage of 36.4%, and had 9 rebounds. He accumulated 24 points in his 38 minutes on the court and tallied 1 assist for the contest.

Villanova has a win-loss mark of 2-2 this year. As an offense, the Wildcats are shooting 48.3% from the floor, which ranks 114th in the country. Villanova has accounted for 322 points so far this season (80.5 per contest) and they collect 37.5 boards per contest. They are getting an assist 14.0 times per game (201st in college basketball) and they cough up possession 12.5 times per game. The Wildcats commit 17.3 personal fouls per contest while shooting 81.8% from the free throw line.

The Wildcats on the defensive end are ranked 215th in the country in points per game surrendered with 72.5. They are able to force 10.5 turnovers on a nightly basis and have let teams shoot 44.8% from the floor (264th in Division 1). The Villanova defense concedes 35.4% on 3-point attempts (34 of 96) and opponents are converting on 82.4% of their shots from the free throw line. They have allowed 16.3 dimes and 25.5 boards per game, which has them ranked 312th and 5th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Villanova

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