Courtside Players Club (11/17/23)

CBB

(1 Pick)

8:30PM EST: Villinova -6.5 (3 Units)

High expectations for these clubs gong into the season. Both have underperformed, specfifically Maryland after an impressive first year under new HC Kevin Willard. They're sitting at 1-2 after back to back losses to UAB and Davidson. Nova is 2-1 after two blowout wins against weaker teams but are coming off a 76-72 loss to Penn. Nova shot just 27.3% from deep and got just 17 points from what's a decent bench. They're supposed to take care of business against a team like Penn but they still played their game.

Home court should really come into play here. Nova has one of the best in the country and that'll be magnified tonight. Nova ranks 11th in CBB with just 7.3 turnovers per game while Maryland ranks 252nd with 14.3. The Terps have been incredibly sloppy with the basketball and while the Pavillion only seats 6,500, it's a raucous crowd. Villanova should see some extra possessions to help push this past the 6.5.

Marlyand has also shot just 22.6% from 3 this season. Not like they're playing the best defenses either, they're seeing decent looks. They have to attack and the Wildcats 2 PT defense has been it's strength. Conversely Villanova loves the 3 ball. They average 32.7 3PT Shots per game, 5th most. The Maryland defense has been league average defending the 3. This will also be the best team they face this season.

Maryland's going to have to make perimiter shots and take care of the basketball. Two things they've failed to do so far this year. Their play style or failure of it also plays right into Nova's hands.