Pedro Oliveira
To start with the Elite 8 phase at March Madness, we have the meeting between the University of Houston vs. Villanova University. The Cougars are coming off an excellent victory over the Arizona Wildcats by a score of 72-60 while the Wildcats ended the Michigan Wolverines’ dreams in the Sweet 16, before a score of 63-55. Who will triumph in the regional final and be part of the Final Four in 2022?
Picks and Predictions for the Houston Cougars vs Villanova Wildcats NCAA Basketball Championship Elite Eight Game on March 26
- Where: AT&T Center – San Antonio, Texas
- When: Saturday, March 26, 6:09 PM ET
- Betting Line: Houston Cougars (-2.5) vs Villanova Wildcats (+2.5)
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 32-5
- Conference Record: 15-3
- Spread: -2.5
- Over/Under: Over 128
- Moneyline: -140
It is evident that the matchup is given for Houston to be the favorite to advance: its iron defense has been one of the few that has survived so far in March Madness, and was exhibited with its victory against the University of Arizona, one of the teams with the best offense in the whole country. Against the Wildcats they will only have to continue to apply their game as usual, dominating the perimeter and the board offensively to limit Villanova University on all sides.
Causing losses will also be key, however, they must be careful when sending them to the free line, it is something that Villanova will look to exploit as they are among the best free throw sets in the entire NCAA. The Cougars are 9-1 ATS in neutral places, and with the performances of Kyler Edwards (19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists), Jamal Shead (21 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals) and Josh Cartlon (10 points, 7 rebounds), Houston is more than tuned to provoke one more upset and reach its fifth consecutive Final Four.
Villanova Wildcats Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 29-7
- Conference Record: 16-4
- Spread: +2.5
- Over/Under: Under 128
- Moneyline: +120
Without a doubt, this is the most complicated encounter for Villanova, a defense so efficient that it can limit them in almost all areas. However, the discipline of this team on both sides of the duel makes that as dark as the picture may seem, it does not mean that all is lost. If Collin Gillespie (12 points, 6 rebounds) has a good game, it is very likely that things will go on the side of the Wildcats, it will undoubtedly be the key for this Saturday.
The defense of Jermaine Samuels (22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks) will also be essential to win this game, finding a way to keep the Cougars offense inconsistent will not be easy but it has to be Villanova’s main objective. Once Houston stops scoring, they can use all the offensive tools to their advantage to pull away and sentence the duel. That’s easier said than done, but the Wildcats have been a very well-rounded team throughout March Madness.
JefeBet Prediction
Houston has at hand the most variants to take this game forward, controlling the perimeter will limit much of what Villanova can do offensively, but in the same way they can be weakened on offense and lose their advantage easily. Although the Wildcats have a very talented roster, so far the Cougars have looked more relentless, and that’s why they’re my favorites to enter the Final Four next week.
