UCLA vs Villanova: NCAA Tournament Predictions
Written March 21, 2009 by Jordan Haimowitz
The UCLA Bruins squeaked by VCU in the first round by one point. The Bruins are led by three seniors who carry this team on as well as off the court. Guard Darren Collison is their biggest star, he averages 14.5 points and 5 assists per game. He defines the phrase “court general”. Josh Shipp is a combo guard who plays stifling defense and is a great offensive weapon averaging 14.5 points and 3 rebounds per game. The big man inside, Alfred Aboya collects 10 points and 6 rebounds a game and in my opinion will be the key to this game. Aboya will get the task of guarding Dante Cunningham of Villanova. It will be key for UCLA to keep Nova off the boards. This game is being played in Philadelphia, right in The Wildcats backyard. Second chance opportunities for the Cats would be devastating. The Bruins average only one less point a game then Nova but give up four less against. That is an area that people are focused on during this game. When UCLA goes cold, their defensive can stay sturdy. When Nova gets cold, things like being down 10 at half to American can happen. UCLA has a ton of things going for them. Villanova is favored by 2 points over UCLA Saturday.
Nobody is luckier then the Villanova Wildcats in this entire tournament. They got a #3 seed (which i thought was to high) and ended up being sent to, well, nowhere. These are virtual home games as they are being played in Philly. The Wildcats are very, I’d say wild. They play at an extremely frantic pace. Scottie Reynolds is the point guard and leader of this team averaging 15.5 points and 4 assists per game. Corey Fisher is a major contributor and a three point shooting machine, he collects 11 points and 3 assists per game.. The key piece to this teams success is their force inside Dante Cunningham. He is very a multi-facet talent. Cunningham can shoot mid range and pull his defender away from the hoop. He averages 16 points and 7 rebounds per contest. He will be matching up against UCLA’s senior Alfred Aboya as stated above. This will be the difference in this game, bank on it. Whichever of these two big men solidify the paint for their squad will most likely march on to the sweet sixteen. The American Eagles gave Villanova way more then they expected in the first round be down as many as 14 in the second half. The Cats fed off the home crowd’s intensity and hammered them as the game went on.. If they come out as bad tomorrow as they did on Thursday, they will not be as fortunate.’
Haimo’s Hot Notes: UCLA has the leadership, talent and coaching to take care of business against Villanova. They must play with intensity and poise as the crowd will be trying to give Villanova that sixth man edge. I do expect The Wildcats to come out stronger in this game. They have so much talent that you’d have to think that. Their will be many disappointed fans however as I believe their run will be cut short in a second round exit. UCLA was predicted by many to get knocked out vs VCU and they are not being given a legit shot by analysts in this game. The combination of consistent defense and controlling the boards will help The Bruins to a big time victory and will march on to the sweet sixteen.
UCLA is 16-16-1 ATS this year
Villanova is 16-14 ATS this year
Betting Line: Villanova -2
Jordan’s Pick: Take UCLA +2
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