[9:30 PM] #3 Villanova v. Central Florida

What will be the GAME RESULT?

#3 Villanova: Wins By 15+ Points

Any Other Result

 

• The line for this game is Villanova by 16 points.

• Villanova will be trying for its fourth straight in-season tournament title when the No. 3 Wildcats face Central Florida in the championship game of the Charleston Classic on Sunday. Villanova, the defending national champion, played its best game of the season in a 96-77 semifinal win Friday against Wake Forest, getting career-high point totals from Josh Hart (30) and Mikal Bridges (19) while shooting 57.6 percent from the field and committing just six turnovers – two by guards.

• What makes the Wildcats so tough again this season is their depth, evident by Bridges’ performance while absorbing Booth’s minutes Friday. Jalen Brunson’s performance in the semifinals was overshadowed by Hart and Bridges, but he scored in double digits for the fourth straight game while posting six assists with one turnover. Kris Jenkins, who hit the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer of the NCAA championship game, shook off a slow start to the season with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and freshman guard Donte DiVincenzo made a case for increased playing time by scoring 12 points off the bench, hitting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.

• The Knights have posted three double-digit victories this season and another good showing against Villanova should give them top 25 consideration. UCF raised eyebrows with an 86-61 victory against SEC member Mississippi State in the tournament opener Thursday, getting 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks from Fall in 27 minutes of play. The Knights held the Bulldogs to 32.3 percent from the floor, then came back with a similar defensive effort in their semifinal victory Friday, holding tournament host Charleston to 26.8 shooting.

• UCF opponents are a combined 9-for-43 from 3-point distance at this tournament, while the Wildcats are shooting a combined 25-for-54 from long range.

• Hart is part of a senior class that has a combined record of 101-13 at Villanova, and won the 2013 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, the 2014 Legends Classic and the 2015 NIT Season Tipoff.

• Villanova coach Jay Wright recorded his 358th career victory at the school Friday, one more than Rollie Massimino, who coached the Wildcats from 1973-92.

StreakSmarts Pick: Any Other Result

Confidence: 5/10

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