Michigan Wolverines vs. Villanova Wildcats Picks, Predictions, Odds

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

The Michigan Wolverines (19-14) of the Big Ten Conference will meet the Villanova Wildcats (28-7) of the Big East Conference in Sweet Sixteen action in the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for Thursday at 7:29 p.m. ET at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the game can be viewed on TBS.

Score Prediction

Villanova 71, Michigan 68

Best Bet

Michigan +5 (-109)
Over 134.5 (-110)

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MICHIGAN WOLVERINES vs. VILLANOVA WILDCATS PREDICTIONS

Michigan was bumped from the Big Ten Tournament in the first round by Indiana, and it didn't appear that the Wolverines would be making the Field of 64. Not only did the Wolverines make it, but obviously they ousted Colorado State and Tennessee to make the Sweet Sixteen for the fifth consecutive season. Head coach Juwan Howard, who has made headlines for various reasons, has this team playing with a lot of confidence strolling into San Antonio for a date with the 2-seed. They're not likely to be fazed in the least bit.

Villanova not only has topped Delaware and Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament, it has covered both games. The Big East Tournament champions are 3-2 ATS in the postseason, while going 4-1 to the UNDER. The Wildcats shot 44% (23-of-52) against the Buckeyes, including 35% (8-of-23) from behind the 3-point line, and they were a very efficient 85% (17-of-20) from the charity stripe. Villanova turned it over just nine times, helping it make up for a minus-7 differential in the rebounding department. All-everything Collin Gillespie dropped 20 points, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, one of four players hitting for 11 or more points.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES vs. VILLANOVA WILDCATS BETTING ODDS

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MICHIGAN WOLVERINES vs. VILLANOVA WILDCATS BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Thursday, March 24, 2022
Matchup: No. 11 vs. No. 2
Region: South
Venue: AT&T Center
Location: San Antonio, Texas
TV-Time: TBS - 7:29 p.m. ET

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 19-14
ATS: 15-18
O/U: 21-12

Michigan has won and covered in NCAA Tournament wins over Colorado State and Tennessee, averaging 75.5 PPG while allowing 65.5 PPG as the OVER has cashed in each outing. In fact, the OVER is 3-0 in three postseason games, and 8-2 across the past 10 games overall.

The Wolverines have cashed in five of the past seven games as an underdog, while going 4-1 ATS in the past five NCAA Tournament games. It's also 9-1-1 ATS in the past 11 neutral-site games as an underdog.

For totals, the Wolverines have hit the OVER in five straight as an underdog, while going 4-1 in the past five neutral-site games. The OVER is 19-7 in the past 26 games overall, although the UNDER is 3-1-1 in the past five NCAA Tournament games as an underdog.

VILLANOVA WILDCATS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 28-7
ATS: 18-16-1
O/U: 17-18

Villanova has covered back-to-back games for the first time since a 6-0 ATS run from Dec. 21-Jan. 16 in conference play. The Wildcats have been sharp against the number in neutral-site games, too, going 5-2 ATS in the past seven. The Wildcats are also 19-7 ATS in the past 26 NCAA Tournament games.

As far as the total, the UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games overall, while going 4-1 in the past five as a favorite, too. The UNDER is also a perfect 7-0 in the past seven games following a cover, while going 4-1 in the past five following a straight-up win. The UNDER is 6-1 in the past seven neutral-site games, too, while cashing in seven of the previous eight neutral-site contests when favored.

**Michigan has covered four of its past five NCAA Tournament games. (AP)**

INSIDE THE STATS - MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Record: 19-14
PS/G: 73.2 (118th)
PA/G: 69.6 (192nd)

INSIDE THE STATS - VILLANOVA WILDCATS

Record: 28-7
PS/G: 72.8 (129th)
PA/G: 62.9 (24th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

MICH: Eli Brooks - G (12.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 38.9 3P%)
MICH: Hunter Dickinson - C (18.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.5 BPG, 56.3 FG%)
NOVA: Collin Gillespie - G (16.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 43.1 3P%, 91.5 FT%)
NOVA: Justin Moore - G (15.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 36.1 3P%)

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES vs. VILLANOVA WILDCATS BETTING CONCLUSION

These teams have met three times since Nov. 25, 2014, with Villanova winning two of the games. That includes a win April 2, 2018, as Villanova topped Michigan 79-62 for the national championship. Michigan avenged that loss at Villanova on Nov. 14, 2018 in the most recent matchup, blasting the Wildcats 73-46. Eli Brooks played in that game, going for five points in 16 minutes for the Wolverines, while Gillespie played 34 minutes, going for five points, four rebounds and three assists.

The Wolverines come into this game with a lot of confidence, but the back-to-back wins are their first since Feb. 8-10. Michigan hasn't won three consecutive games since Jan. 18-26. Villanova is quite talented, however, and won't be intimidated by Michigan. Gillespie and the Wildcats have championship experience, and this is a team on a mission to grab yet another national title. Things are breaking the right way for a good chance at the Final Four and more.

MARCH MADNESS PICK RESOURCES

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES vs. VILLANOVA WILDCATS BETTING TRENDS

Michigan is 5-2 ATS in the past seven games as an underdog.
Michigan is 9-1-1 ATS in the past 11 neutral-site games as a 'dog.
Michigan is 4-1 ATS in the past five NCAA Tournament games.
Villanova is 5-2 ATS in the past seven neutral-site games.
Villanova is 17-4 ATS in the past 21 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.
Villanova is 19-7 ATS in the past 26 NCAA Tournament games.
The OVER is 19-7 in the past 26 games for Michigan.
The OVER is 5-0 in the past five as an underdog for Michigan.
The UNDER is 4-1 in the past five games for Villanova.
The UNDER is 4-1 in the past five as a favorite for Villanova.
The UNDER is 6-1 in the past seven neutral-site games for Villanova.

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Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish