If the Villanova Wildcats‘ current trend in the NCAA Tournament continues, they still have a lot of basketball left in them. Beginning with its title in 2016, Villanova has been alternating national championships and second-round exits over its last four appearances in the event. After being eliminated early in 2019, the fifth-seeded Wildcats look to continue the trend and move a step closer to their third crown in five tourneys when they take on the South Region’s top-seeded Baylor Bears in the Sweet 16 of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Both Villanova (18-6) and Baylor (24-2) have stayed true to form, posting double-digit victories over lesser opponents while many other high seeds have been bounced early in this year’s unpredictable March Madness competition.
Tip-off from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is set for 5:15 p.m. ET on CBS. The Bears are 7.5-point favorites in the latest Baylor vs. Villanova odds at William Hill Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 142. Before making any Villanova vs. Baylor picks, check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past four-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of $2,200 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Baylor vs. Villanova in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament 2021. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Villanova vs. Baylor:
- Baylor vs. Villanova spread: Bears -7.5
- Baylor vs. Villanova over-under: 142 points
- Baylor vs. Villanova money line: Bears -320, Wildcats +260
- BAY: The Over has hit in 12 of the Bears’ last 14 games
- NOVA: The Wildcats are 17-5 against the spread in their last 22 NCAA Tournament contests
Why Baylor can cover
Non-conference opponents have been no match for the Bears this season, and the NCAA Tournament 2021 has been no exception. After posting eight victories over schools that don’t reside in the Big 12 by an average of 30.4 points during the regular season, Baylor defeated Hartford by 24 in the first round and followed with a 13-point triumph over Wisconsin. It had three players score 16 or more points but also played strong defense against the Badgers, limiting them to 29 points in the opening half and just 38.1 percent shooting overall from 3-point range.
A top seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, Baylor is counting on top scorer Jared Butler (16.9 points), Davion Mitchell (team-high 5.4 assists) and leading rebounder Mark Vital (6.7) to guide it to the success other No. 1 seeds have enjoyed in the Sweet 16. In the last five Tournaments, top-seeded clubs have lost only once in 16 games while going 11-4-1 against the spread. They have own a 110-29 all-time record in the round — including a 40-9 mark versus fifth-seeded squads, which bodes well for the Bears’ chances of reaching the Elite Eight for the first time since 2012.
Why Villanova can cover
The Wildcats proved they also can be dangerous from 3-point range in their 84-61 second-round victory over North Texas. Villanova was 15-for-30 from beyond the arc, matching its season high for most 3-pointers in a contest. The Wildcats tied the NCAA Tournament record as eight different players connected — including junior forward Cole Swider, who went 3-for-4 off the bench.
Villanova lost its first two games after losing senior guard Collin Gillespie for the season with a knee injury but has posted a pair of double-digit wins in the Tournament. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has led the team offensively, scoring 22 points in a 73-63 first-round triumph over Winthrop before recording 18 versus the Mean Green. The sophomore forward has scored at least 10 points in eight straight contests, a stretch during which he has posted five double-doubles.
How to make Villanova vs. Baylor picks
The model is leaning over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 153 points. It also says one side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Villanova vs. Baylor? And which side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine right now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the computer model that has crushed its college basketball picks.
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