Line: Villanova -23, Total: 145 (current NCAA Tournament spreads and totals)
Lafayette Record 20-12 ATS 2-2 OVER/UNDER 2-2 Overview: As the No. 4 seed in the Patriot League tournament, Lafayette became the lowest seed to earn the conference’s automatic bid in its 25-year history. That won’t inspire confidence at the bet window, and neither will this: the Leopards were not able to hang with tournament-level competition, losing by large margins in non-lined games at Kansas (96-69) and at West Virginia (83-56).
Team page: Lafayette
Villanova Record: 32-2 ATS: 24-9 OVER/UNDER: 14-19 Overview: Villanova is nothing short of a remarkable against-the-spread team. The Wildcats have more covers than anyone else in the country (24) and have been the favorites in every game. No matter how strong a team is at the bet window, though, laying 20-plus points is always a daunting proposition, and ‘Nova is 2-3 ATS in the situation this season. They did get the cash as 16.5-point favorites in their opening Tournament game last season, 73-53 vs. UW-Milwaukee.
Team page: Villanova
Handicapping tools: Matchup analysis | Power ratings | ATS standings
The Linemakers’ lean: Despite Villanova’s 15-game winning streak and impressive spread record, we can’t recommend laying this many points. The total appears too high for our taste and the lean is on the UNDER.
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