Wolverines vs Wildcats Odds & Picks: Villanova Tries To Take Down Big Ten Again

The second-seeded Villanova Wildcats (28-7 SU, 18-15-2 ATS) will go for their second consecutive win over a Big Ten opponent on Thursday in their Sweet 16 matchup with the 11th-seeded Michigan Wolverines (19-14, 15-18) after knocking out the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday. The Wolverines vs Wildcats prediction likes the higher-seeded team as solid favorites again even though the underdogs are coming off a more impressive victory, upsetting the third-seeded Tennessee Volunteers.

Wolverines vs Wildcats Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

Michigan is finally playing like the top-10 team that opened this season before a 4-3 start set it back and made the return to the NCAA Tournament field more difficult than anyone could have imagined. The Wolverines were a top seed a year ago and gained a lot of confidence with a 76-68 win over the Volunteers as 7-point underdogs last Saturday in their second-round game.

A day later, Villanova topped Ohio State 71-61 as a 5-point favorite to earn its seventh consecutive victory and 12th in 13 games. The Wildcats built an 11-point halftime lead and held off a late charge by the Buckeyes to advance. The relative ease with which Villanova beat Ohio State set this next matchup up for a nearly identical spread and total, knowing this one may be played with a similar style and tempo.

Get the best Wolverines vs Wildcats odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Michigan Peaking At Perfect Time Or Still Too Inconsistent To Back?

Last season, the Wolverines bowed out of the Big Dance in the Elite Eight, falling to the 11th-seeded UCLA Bruins, who some felt should not have been in the NCAA Tournament field.

The shoe is on the other foot this time, as they are now the ones attempting to return to the Elite Eight as double-digit seeds when many thought they did not belong, with the worst record of any at-large team. The big question for their backers: Do you keep riding them here or get off the bandwagon and fade them in this spot instead?

Given the way sophomore center Hunter Dickinson is playing right now, it is hard to jump off the wagon. His 27 points and 11 rebounds were the difference against Tennessee, and Villanova does not really have an answer for him inside if he has another strong effort.

Villanova Taking Care Of Business En Route To Another Sweet 16

The Wildcats had a much better start vs the Buckeyes in the second round than they did against the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens in the first. While Ohio State closed the gap late in the second half to put the spread in doubt in the final five minutes, Villanova answered the call and rewarded its supporters with a pair of big shots by Collin Gillespie and Eric Dixon down the stretch.

After losing to the eventual national champion Baylor Bears in the Sweet 16 a year  ago, things are set up much better for the school this time around, especially with Tennessee out and the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats showing some weaknesses before rallying to defeat the ninth-seeded TCU Horned Frogs 85-80 in overtime late Sunday.

This Wolverines vs Wildcats prediction is what it is because this team is a legit national title contender ready for another even-year Elite Eight appearance.

Wolverines vs Wildcats Pick & Insights

Wolverines: Keys To Cover

The biggest key for Michigan is hanging around early on and gaining steam in the second half. Dickinson possesses tremendous size and the ability to take over a game at any time, very similar to Drew Timme of the top-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs. Villanova does not really have anyone who can match up with him, making the underdogs an intriguing Wolverines vs Wildcats pick as long as he can stay involved and avoid foul trouble.  

Wildcats: Keys To Cover

Coaching could be the difference for Villanova, as Jay Wright has been here before and knows how to prepare his players to succeed in the biggest moments. He is one of the reasons the Wildcats made it to the Elite Eight in 2016 and 2018 on their way to winning the national championship both years. And he should be the difference-maker opposite Michigan’s Juwan Howard, who has his moments but is still seeking that signature win.

Odds Shark’s Computer Wolverines vs Wildcats Prediction: Wildcats -4.5

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