College Basketball Picks: Villanova at Syracuse Betting Odds

The biggest game in college basketball picks for the Big East this year takes place at the Carrier Dome on Saturday night at 9:00pm EST as fourth-ranked Syracuse hosts eight-ranked Villanova. ESPN will be doing the game and it should be wild with more than 34,000 fans expected at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse is 26-2 overall in college basketball betting odds and 13-2 in the conference while Villanova is 23-4 and 12-3. "We're not really thinking about standings or polls or anything," Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said, "We're getting ready to play a team that I consider one of the top three or four teams in the country. That's what we're getting ready to play."

Syracuse is a -4.5 favorite against Villanova at online sportsbooks with a betting total of 156.5. Syracuse can gain at least a tie for the Big East title with a win and probably secure a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. If Villanova can pull off the upset in college basketball picks they would be right back in the discussion for a top seed. Both of these teams like to run up and down the court so it could be a high scoring came on Saturday night. "This team really likes to share the ball," Syracuse guard Andy Rautins said. "When we're sharing the ball, that's when everybody's doing what they can to help this team win."

Villanova is second in the country in points per game at 83.8 while Syracuse is 7th at 81.2 points per game. One thing to watch in college basketball picks will be the status of Villanova guard Corey Stokes. He was cited for public urination early Thursday morning but coach Jay Wright has not decided if it will affect his status for Saturday’s game. "This was a simple mistake by a college student,'' Wright said, "Corey regrets it and has apologized for it. We will now deal with it within our basketball family.'' Stokes is averaging 9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season.

The Wildcats are 2-5 in their last 7 games overall but they are 6-2 ATS in college basketball picks for their last 8 road games. The Wildcats are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings at Syracuse. The Orange are 26-9 in their last 35 games overall. The Orange are 19-8 in college basketball betting odds for their last 27 home games. The Over is 5-1 in the Wildcats last 6 road games but the Under is 4-0 in Syracuse’s last 4 home games. Vegas odds at the MGM Mirage sportsbook have the Syracuse Orange -4.5 favorites against the Villanova Wildcats with a betting total of 156.5.