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Villanova will face off with a second top-10 team in their last three games, as they get set to take on a Virginia team that is known for their defense. The Wildcats have a solid defense of their own to go along with a talented group of guards.
Here is what you need to know heading into this one.
How to watch, listen, or stream
Game time: Noon ET
TV: ESPN 2 (Dave O'Brien and Jay Bilas on the call)
Radio: 610 Sports Radio WTEL
Live Stream: WatchESPN App
Gamblin' Info
Line: All of the major bookies have Virginia as a five point favorite, per OddsShark.
Records ATS: Villanova is 6-2 against the spread, while Virginia is 4-3.
O/U: 130
Three things to watch
1. Nova needs a big game from Ochefu
Villanova senior forward Daniel Ochefu is averaging 8.9 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game and 2.1 blocks per game in 20.6 minutes a night. Those are solid, but the Wildcats are going to need to get a great performance down low from him if they want to leave Charlottesville with a victory. Both teams are top-heavy at the guard positions, but the Wildcats have a player that could make the guard matchups a moot point in Ochefu. Virginia's defense is solid so if they are keeping the three-point shooters for Nova in check, Ochefu could be relied on to carry the load. If he can put up a double-double, Villanova will have a great chance to win this game.
2. Three pointers need to fall for the Wildcats
Against Oklahoma, the Wildcats shot 4-32 from behind the arc and were blown out by the Sooners. Villanova hit 13-28 from deep in a blowout win against Big 5 rivals LaSalle. As always, it is vital that the Wildcats shoot well from deep in the big games. Josh Hart, Ryan Arcidiacono, Jalen Brunson and Kris Jenkins are all solid three-point shooters for the Wildcats and are all capable of going off for Jay Wright's bunch. Villanova has lost eight of their last nine games against top-10 teams away from home and if they want to change that, solid three point shooting is essential.
3. Talented guards all over the floor
Hart, Arcidiacono, Brunson and sophomore Phil Booth are a solid group of backcourt players for the Wildcats. However, the Wildcats will be without another member of that talented group as freshman Donte DiVincenzo will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a fracture in his right foot.
For Virginia, Malcolm Brogdon and London Perrantes lead a talented group of guards that Tony Bennett has at his disposal. Others like forward Anthony Gill can also score the basketball and play solid defense. The key for Virginia to keep the Nova guards in check and hope that their frontcourt comes to play as well.
This is a matchup of two teams that have Final Four aspirations and could use a quality win before they face their respective conference slates that are nothing to fool with. If you watch any game on Saturday, make it this one.