Villanova (-3) at SETON HALL, Noon
The Pick: Villanova -3
There might not be a bigger, big-game player in the country than Seton Hall’s Myles Powell.
The Trenton native scored 27, 28, and 34 points in wins over nationally-ranked teams Kentucky, Maryland and Marquette and simply willed the Pirates to wins in all three of those upsets.
This afternoon Powell and Seton Hall (17-12) get another chance to knock off a top 25 team when they host No. 23 Villanova (22-8) at The Rock.
The defending national champion Wildcats have been all over the place this season. They began the season dreadfully, including a loss to Furman. After six straight wins they lost to Ivy also-ran Penn. They put together an 11-game win streak, but then lost three straight and four of five.
Maybe wins over Marquette and Butler have the ‘Cats back on the right track as the Big East and NCAA Tournaments near.
‘Nova blew out The Hall, 80-52, on The Main Line earlier this season and held Powell to his lowest output of the season with just three points on 1-for-5 shooting in a game where he was under the weather.
Powell, who should win Big East Player of the Year, will get his Saturday. This is the kind of a game, however, a Jay Wright coached team usually wins.
The Wildcats are a decent 6-4 against the spread on the road this season, while the Pirates are an abysmal 4-10 against the spread at The Rock. Any thoughts of moving back on campus? Just asking.
Take Villanova and give the points in this one.