Jayhawks vs. Wildcats Prediction
The top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks have a tough test on tap this afternoon as they are on the road at the 18th-ranked Villanova Wildcats. Can Kansas take care of business as the small road favorites?
Game Snapshot
609 Kansas Jayhawks at 610 Villanova Wildcats
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Wells Fargo Center at 12PM ET
TV: FOX
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According to oddsmakers, the Jayhawks are a 2-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 146.5 points. As of Saturday morning, 52 percent of public bets are being placed on host Villanova. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.
Jayhawks win ninth straight
Kansas cruised to a 98-57 home win last Saturday over UMKC to improve to 9-1 overall and 6-0 at home. The Jayhawks led 43-24 at halftime on their way to the decisive victory. David McCormack paced KU with 28 points on 11-of-14 shooting plus 6-of-6 at the free throw line. He also contributed seven rebounds and two steals. Devon Dotson accounted for 18 points, three assists, three steals and two boards. Marcus Garrett added 13 points and four dimes.
Widcats down Blue Hens
Villanova picked up a 78-70 win last Saturday over Delaware in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center. The Wildcats (8-2) led 37-32 at halftime and continued to pad the lead after the break. Jermaine Samuels paced Villanova with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting including 1-of-7 from 3-point range plus 5-of-5 at the charity stripe. He also tallied five rebounds and two steals. Justin Moore registered 16 points, three boards and three assists off the bench. Saddiq Bey accounted for 13 points and two caroms. Cole Swider had 12 points and six rebounds. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl added 10 points, eight boards and two steals.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Kansas
The Jayhawks are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall. Kansas is 1-5 ATS in its last six games as a road favorite.
Villanova
The Wildcats are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games as an underdog. Villanova is 1-5 ATS in its last Saturday games.
Prediction:
The Jayhawks have struggled lately aas a road favorite and now face a Wildcats team that has an elite offense ranked third in the nation in terms of adjusted efficiency. As long as Villanova can ride its home crowd and get enough stops, I love its chances here. The Wildcats have fared well against the top two teams they have played so far this season, but neither of those contests were at home. Today could be very different.
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