Villanova has won its last five games in a row with a big one over the Big East-leading Friars. Now the Wildcats face a UConn team that’s won four of its last five games and has been a solid defensive team in the meanwhile. The Huskies could gain some major ground in the Big East standings with a win as they would only be a couples games behind.
How to watch Villanova vs. UConn Basketball
Game Matchup: #8 Villanova Wildcats (21-6, 14-3 Big East, 2nd in Big East) vs. #21 UConn (19-7, 10-5 SEC, 3rd in Big East)
Venue & Location: XL Center (Hartford, Connecticut)
Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 Try 7 days free with fuboTV
UConn’s R.J. Cole, Adama Sanogo, and Tyrese Martin have been leading the way for the Huskies and hope to figure out Villanova the second time around, and at home. The Wildcats already beat UConn back in the first week of the month so now they’ll have to do it in a hostile environment.
Odds and prediction
Spread:
- Villanova +1.5 (-110)
- UConn -1.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Villanova -105
- UConn -115
Total: 137.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Odds are via BetMGM.
Villanova vs. UConn Basketball Game Betting Preview
Villanova has been a hot shooting team as of late and is leading the country in free throw shooting percentage at 82.8 percent with a few games having shot in the 90s as a team. Should the game get close, the Wildcats certainly hold the edge there and from beyond the arc on defense. UConn allows teams to shoot 34 percent from there while Villanova holds teams to 31.3% there.
UConn will have a pretty good chance to win this game if it can limit Villanova’s shooting. It is an elite rebounding team so the Huskies should be able to limit second chance opportunities and create some for themselves. UConn averages the sixth-most total rebounds in the country and is No. 7 in offensive rebounding.
Much like hitting free throws, taking care of the ball is an integral part of the game and Villanova is quite good at that. They average only 10 turnovers per game and force 12.5 with 6.5 of those being steals. Those live ball turnovers allow them to get out in transition and get easy shots. It’s a coincidence that UConn averages 12.5 turnovers on its end as well. While it isn’t a lot, it may be enough for Villanova.
