Villanova has all that it takes for a long March Madness run.

Villanova vs UNC Asheville March Madness Odds Pick

Written by on March 17, 2016

On Friday, the second March Madness betting game of the day features the #2 seeded Villanova Wildcats and the 15th seed North Carolina Asheville Bulldogs. This game will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and the winner will take on the winner of Iowa and Temple in the second round of the tournament. The Bulldogs are 22-11, and coming off the Big South Conference tournament title game win over Winthrop. North Carolina Asheville finished third in the conference during the regular season. For Villanova, they are 29-5 overall, and were regular season winners of the Big East. The Wildcats were knocked off in the conference tournament title game by the Pirates of Seton Hall.

How To Bet on Villanova vs. UNC Asheville March Madness Odds, TV and Game Info

What: UNC Ashville (23-11) at Villanova (29-5) When: Friday, March 18, 2016 Start Time: 12:40 PM ET Where: Brooklyn, New York Stadium: Barclays Center Spread: Villanova -17 Moneyline: Villanova -3931 Game Total: 141.5 Watch: TruTV

Why Bet on Villanova

The Villanova Wildcats know this is their time to get to the Final Four. Out ot the South Region, they will likely have to go through the Kansas Jayhawks, but this is path the Wildcats can navigate to get there. Villanova is very talented on the defensive end, as they are allowing teams to score under 64 points per game. In their last four wins, they have allowed their opponents to score 70 or less three times. The Wildcats offense is anchored by guard Josh Hart. Hart is scoring 15.5 points per game, while Ryan Arcidiacono is scoring just shy of 12 points per game, and dishing out 4.4 assists.

Why Bet on UNC Asheville

The UNC Asheville Bulldogs finished behind Winthrop and High Point in the conference standings, then beat both of them in back to back games to win the conference tournament. During that conference tournament, the Bulldogs won by 17 points per game. UNC Asheville is led in scoring by guard Dylan Smith. Smith is scoring 13.5 points per game, for a team that is scoring 75.6 points per game. UNC Asheville lost their regular season finale to Coastal Carolina heading into the conference tournament.

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

Jay Wright and the Villanova Wildcats know all about the negative pitfalls of being a top ranked program with early losses in the NCAA tournament. This years team is ready to move beyond that. The Wildcats have the ability to shoot the basketball, which can be a blessing and a curse. If the shots are falling for Villanova, there may not be a better team in the country. If shots are not falling. The Wildcats are not worthy of their #2 seed. Fortunately for them, they will make enough shots to beat UNC Asheville by 20. The bere is Villanova -17.5. Final score prediction: Villanova 80 and UNC Asheville 54.