The Creighton Bluejays (16-5, 5-3 Big East) travel to No. 8 Villanova to play the Wildcats (17-3, 7-1 Big East) in a game that has the potential to be high-scoring. The game is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 1, 2020.
Creighton Bluejays at Villanova Wildcats ATS Prediction
In the Bluejays’ last outing, they defeated the Xavier Musketeers, 77-66. The Bluejays made 20 of their 26 free throws (76.9 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 12.6 (better than their season average of 14.2). Creighton was led by Ty-Shon Alexander, who was the game’s leading scorer with 24 points on 5-for-15 shooting.
The Wildcats easily got past the St. John’s Red Storm in their last contest, 79-59. The Wildcats had a better free throw rate (0.148 vs. 0.049) and held the Red Storm to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.9 (below their season average of 31.7). With 17 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, Collin Gillespie had a good outing for Villanova.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Gillespie scored a game-high 24 points in the first game, in which the Wildcats beat the Bluejays 64-59. He also had seven rebounds. Villanova out-rebounded Creighton. The Wildcats had nine offensive rebounds and 37 total rebounds, while the Bluejays had four and 33, respectively.
This battle figures to be a high-scoring affair as two of the NCAA’s best offenses face off. Villanova currently ranks 38th with 110.2 points per 100 possessions and Creighton is 33rd (110.6). Also, the Bluejays rank 14th in turnover percentage (15.8 percent), while the Wildcats rank 277th in opponents’ turnover percentage (18.0 percent).
Creighton at Villanova Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Villanova, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Villanova ranks 25th in three pointers attempted per game (27.2) while Creighton ranks 196th in three pointers allowed per game (23.4).
The Wildcats average 36.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 115th in the NCAA. The Bluejays rank 219th in rebounds allowed per game (37.0).
Creighton ranks 11th in steals allowed per game (4.7) while Villanova ranks 95th (6.2).
The Wildcats average 15.2 assists per game, which ranks 44th in the NCAA. The Bluejays rank 116th in assists allowed per game (12.4).
The Bluejays’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.8, down from 8.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 71.8 points per game (2.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 62.0 points per game (3.8 below their season average).
