Big East Basketball: Butler vs. Villanova preview, prediction, TV schedule
After Butler took down Villanova in their first battle, the two top teams in the Big East go at it again on Wednesday.
TV Schedule: Wednesday, February 22nd at 9:00 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
Arena: The Pavilion, Villanova, Pennsylvania
Although both of these teams will be headed to the Big Dance in March, this is still a major game in the Big East Conference. Entering this game, Villanova leads the conference by three whole games, and this win would secure their position as the regular season champion in the Big East. With the seven-game winning streak that the Wildcats are riding, they have opened up their lead in the conference with just three games left to play.
For the rest of the year, Villanova have this battle with Butler followed by dates with Creighton (home) and Georgetown (road). This is a not an easy finish, but ‘Nova is arguably the best team in the country and is currently the #1 overall seed in my Bracketology.
As for Butler, they close with an even tougher schedule. First, they get Villanova on the road in this game, then Xavier on the road, followed by their final home game of the year against Seton Hall. Butler are competing for one of the top seeds in the tournament and if they play well, then they could be looking at being on the three line.
For this game specifically, Butler won the first battle of the year at Hinkle Fieldhouse by the score of 66-58. Despite trailing at halftime by four, the Bulldogs held the Wildcats to just 27 points in the second half en route to winning the second by 12 points. In that first game, Jalen Brunson was the clear lead man for Villanova with 23 points, while star Josh Hart was held to 3-for-11 shooting and just 13.
Butler, on the other hand, used a variety of scorers, with four in double figures, even if none eclipsed even 15 points. Kethan Savage and Andrew Chrabascz were the top Dawgs with 13 apiece.
As was the deal with the last contest between these two teams, the biggest match-ups will be between the two star players, Josh Hart and Kelan Martin (even if Martin comes off the bench again), and the battle of the guards, Jalen Brunson and Kamar Baldwin.
Chrabascz has the ability to take over a game for Butler with his variety of moves around the basket and his versatility in shooting from the outside. In addition, Avery Woodson is one of the hottest shooters in the country right now, as he is 10-for-16 from three in his last two games. Will it be enough to take down ‘Nova in the Pavilion on Wednesday night though?
Prediction: Villanova 78, Butler 74
The Big East is having a phenomenal season, but can any team catch Villanova at the top?