The No. 5 Villanova Wildcats (2-0) and the Lafayette Leopards (0-1) battle at PPL Center. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 17, 2017.
Lafayette Leopards vs. Villanova Wildcats Odds Preview
The Leopards lost a close one to the George Mason Patriots in their last contest, 67-65. With 18 points on 7-for-17 shooting, Matt Klinewski was the top scorer from either team. George Mason had a much better free throw rate (0.145 vs. 0.000). Lafayette, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.6 vs. 21.2).
In the Wildcats last matchup, they blew out the Nicholls Colonels, 113-77. With 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting, Mikal Bridges was Villanovas leading scorer. Villanova played a perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.6 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.664. Nicholls was 15.6 and 0.450, respectively, for those same stats.
The productive offense of Villanova will battle against the bottom-tier defense of Lafayette. Since last season, the Wildcats rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while the Leopards are 290th in defensive efficiency. The Wildcats should have the advantage on that end of the court. Moreover, the Leopards rank 315th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.204), while the Wildcats rank first in opponents FTA rate (0.155).
The Leopards are 9-22 straight up (SU) and 1-1 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Lafayette games have had a tendency to go under the O/U total since last season (100.0 percent).
The Wildcats, on the other hand, are 33-3 SU and 18-18-1 ATS since last season. Vegas has had a tendency to set the total high when Villanova has been involved over that same time frame as 63.9 percent of their games have finished under the projected point total.
The Wildcats won the sole game against the Leopards last season, 88-48. The Wildcats dominated every facet of the game. They had a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 27.0 and a ridiculous effective field goal percentage of 0.604. The Leopards were 12.2 and 0.338, respectively, for those same stats.
Lafayette Leopards vs. Villanova Wildcats Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Villanova, ATS Winner – Lafayette, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Wildcats rank 115th in assists per game (14.3) while the Leopards rank 260th in assists allowed per game (14.9).
- Villanova allows the sixth-fewest blocks per game (2.1) while Lafayette ranks eighth (2.2).
- Villanova ranks 66th in three pointers attempted per game (23.8) while Lafayette ranks 305th in three pointers allowed per game (25.5).
- The Wildcats rank seventh in rebounds allowed per game (29.9) while the Leopards rank 246th (37.2).
- Villanova ranks 37th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while Lafayette ranks 261st (7.6).
