The college hoops wagering menu features a clash between Louisville and Villanova on Thursday, with the host Cardinals trying to win and cover the NCAA basketball point spread.

It's a game in the Big East Tournament, which will decide the conference title, not to mention deciding which teams make the Field of 68. Madison Square Garden is the location for this game, which makes it a neutral-site matchup.

The Wildcats will look to vanquish their hosts on Thursday, as they are 20-9 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Cardinals are 17-13-1 ATS. Villanova is 12-16 against the total, while Louisville is 12-16 versus the number.



View Villanova vs Louisville Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark show No. 68-rated Villanova taking on the No. 1-rated Cardinals in this contest. The scores prediction computer here indicates a possible 82-70 win for the Cardinals on Thursday.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Louisville's No. 45 nationally ranked offense (73.5 points per game) against a Wildcats defense that sits as the No. 131 at 64.8 PPG. The Cardinals have been averaging 44.6% from the field, more than the Wildcats have managed so far this season (41.6% on average).

Defensively, Villanova features the nation's No. 99-rated defense on the road, allowing 66.4 points per game. Louisville, meanwhile, comes in at No. 70 nationally in scoring at home.

St. John's lost its last outing, a 66-53 result against Villanova on March 13. They failed to cover in that game as a 4-point favorite. St. John's got 16 points from Phil Greene IV but lost anyway, 66-53, to Villanova on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

Last time out for Louisville, they were a 73-57 Sportsbook as they battled Notre Dame at home. They covered in the match as a 11.5-point favorite. Gorgui Dieng scored 20 points and helped out with 11 rebounds for Louisville on Saturday, leading the Cardinals to a 73-57 victory over Notre Dame at KFC Yum! Center.