Villanova vs UConn NCAAB Pick: Big East Tourney Quarterfinal (Mar 13)

• Villanova defeated Seton Hall 67-55 in the Big East Tournament’s first round.
• UConn received a double-bye into the quarterfinals, has not played in postseason.
• These two teams last met on Feb. 18, 2025, UConn won 66-59.

The Villanova Wildcats and the UConn Huskies are set to clash in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Both teams have had competitive seasons, and this matchup promises to be a thrilling contest with significant implications for their NCAA Tournament aspirations and Big East Championship.

Villanova Comes Knocking

Villanova enters this game with a 19-13 overall record and an 11-9 mark in Big East play. Their recent 67-55 victory over Seton Hall showcased their defensive tenacity and ability to control the game’s tempo.

The Wildcats are led by senior forward Eric Dixon, the nation’s leading scorer, averaging 23.6 points per game.

Complementing him is forward Wooga Poplar, who contributes 14.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

Villanova excels in perimeter shooting, leading the Big East with a 39.8% three-point shooting percentage. To secure a win against UConn, the Wildcats will need to maintain their sharpshooting and tighten their defense to contain the Huskies’ versatile offense.

UConn Has Been Consistently Good

The UConn Huskies boast a 22-9 overall record and a 14-6 conference record, earning them the No. 3 seed in the tournament. They are currently on a four-game winning streak, their longest since an earlier eight-game stretch.

The Huskies’ offense averages 78 points per game, with key contributions from guard Solo Ball (14.8 points per game) and forward Liam McNeeley (14.7 points per game).

Forward Alex Karaban has also been instrumental, averaging 16.4 points per game over the last five games. Defensively, UConn allows 68.3 points per game and leads the nation in blocks per game (6.5). To advance past Villanova, the Huskies will need to leverage their defensive strengths and maintain offensive efficiency.

Villanova Wildcats vs UConn Huskies Pick

UConn enters the game as a 5.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 135.5 points. Given UConn’s recent form and defensive capabilities, they have an advantage in this contest.

However, Villanova’s experience and perimeter shooting make them a formidable foe. This game is expected to be exciting with the potential for a narrow margin of victory. Lean towards UConn’s experience to edge them out.