Villanova vs Butler: Close Game Ahead

0:00On March 1, Villanova hosts Butler tonight in a key Big East match-up at 7 p.m. Eastern time on FS1. The Wildcat sit at 21 wins and 6 losses overall, 12 and 4 in conference, chasing St. John's and Yukon at the top while holding A, comfortable, 3 and a half game lead over 4th place. Butler comes in at 15 and 13, 6 and 11 in the Big East, right in the thick of a tight race for seating with just one game separating, 6th from last, odds from Caesar's sportsbook have Villanova as 10 point favorites with a money line of minus 5.99 while Butler sits at plus 4.30. The total points line is set at 146.5. This game tips off at Finner and Pavilion, and both teams need strong efforts to boost their tournament positioning as the regular season winds down. Fans are buzzing about Butler's key guard, Finley Bizjack, who's averaging 17.5 points per game on solid shooting. Betting trends show Butler struggling against the spread lately, especially on the road

1:03versus Villanova, going 0 and 8 in their last 8. There, Villanova has covered 6 of their last 9 and the over has hit in 5 of their past 5 games. Weasen developments highlight match-up edges for the underdog. Villanova's front court defense has allowed opponents to shoot over 50% inside the arc, playing right into Butler's strengths, while the bulldogs defend the perimeter well against Nova's 3 point game. The Wildcats shooting has dipped in their last 3 contests too. Expect a competitive fight where Butler keeps it closer than expected, making the plus 10 a smart play as these teams battle for every edge heading. Into tournament time.