Villanova Vs. South Florida 2/24/10

Jay Wright hopes his WIldcats can right the ship in time for the NCAA Tournament.

South Florida Bulls (16-10) at Villanova Wildcats (22-4)

SEC College Basketball: Wednesday February 24, 2010 9 PM EST

The Line: Villanova - 12 1/2

Villanova tries to avoid looking ahead while South Florida tries to make a desperate attempt to impress the selection committee as the two meet in Philadelphia.

Villanova is on their first two game losing streak of the year and find themselves a game out of first place in the highly competitive Big East conference. The Wildcats are 11-1 at home this season and are ranked eighth in the nation, their lowest ranking in months. With Syracuse up next, it's tough not to be thinking ahead but after their recent troubles, Nova knows better. Villanova is averaging 84.2 points per game which is the second best in the country and while they shoot a comfortable 46.6 percent, it's their 16th ranked rebounding that makes this offense roll. Defensively things could be a lot better and it's what has caused this team their recent pains. The Cats surrender 72.8 points per game which is 280th in the country as teams shoot 40.5 percent on the Cats. Villanova still has a chance to win the conference but no one is ready to give them anything.

South Florida has lost three of their last four games and they have lost five of their seven conference road games this season. Before their recent drought the Bulls had won four in a row and were catching the eyes of many but the recent slump has made many turn their heads away once again. USF resides in ninth place in the conference, tied with Notre Dame, Cincinnati, and Seton Hall. South Florida scores just 68.3 points per game and the shoot 44.4 percent from the field. On defense the Bulls allow 65.6 points per game and teams shoot an average 42.7 percent against them. South Florida just has lacked the depth needed to compete regularly in what is considered America's toughest conference.

Villanova is 1-5 against the spread in their last six Big East games and 1-4 against the spread in their last five against teams with a winning record. South Florida is 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games and 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 Big East games.

Villanova has been slumping badly but the home cooking in a game they can handle should be just what the doctor ordered. While I like a lot of what USF has accomplished this season, this looks to be a real spot for them.

Mitch's Pick: Villanova - 8 1/2

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