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After a sluggish start Thursday, the Villanova Wildcats took care of business in impressive fashion on Friday in the first two rounds of the Charleston Classic. As a result, Villanova is playing in the tournament’s final against the Central Florida Knights.
Here’s everything you need to know!
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN 2 (Doug Sherman, Miles Simon)
Radio: 610 The Fan
Streaming: WatchESPN (Where available)
Gamblin’ Info
The Wildcats are 16 point favorites, per OddsShark. The over/under is set at 143.5.
Villanova is 3-1 ATS, while UCF is 2-0.
All-Time Series
Villanova is 1-0 all-time against the Knights, with the victory coming in November 2007 in the Old Spice Classic.
Three-Point Preview
Hart-felt Performance
Josh Hart recorded a career-high 30 points on 11-14 shooting in Villanova’s Friday win against Wake Forest. At this moment, he has to be the odds on favorite for MVP of the Charleston Classic, which is just one of many accolades Hart could potentially win by the end of this season.
If Hart finds his stroke early on again, it could be a long night for the Knights.
Building Bridges
Mikal Bridges played a big role in Nova’s win over Wake Forest as well. The sophomore had 19 points and seven rebounds as he made his first start of the season in favor of the injured Phil Booth. The Villanova freshman who received all the publicity and coverage last season was Jalen Brunson, so you already know all about him. If Bridges keeps up this strong play, though, you’ll be hearing much more about him, as well.
This contest is scheduled for one Fall
The Wildcats are heavy favorites in this one, but UCF has one player that will be a nightmarish matchup for Villanova: 7’6 Tacko Fall.
In addition to having a great name, Fall has been a difference maker in every game UCF has played this season so far. He had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks in the Knights’ opening round win against Mississippi State, and had 16 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks in UCF’s season opening win over Nicholls State.
Luckily for Villanova, their experience playing against Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas earlier this week should be beneficial.
FUN FACT: Per UCF’s game notes, Fall is “one of the 40 tallest living human beings in the world”