NCAA Championship odds & tips for Michigan vs. Villanova

DATE: 9:20PM ET Monday, April 2 on TBS

Michigan has won 14 games in a row and ended Loyola of Chicago’s Cinderella run in the Big Dance, holding the Ramblers to only 57 points. The Wolverines are led by their defense, which ranks eighth in the nation in points allowed, and that D will be tested in the NCAA Championship Game against a Villanova team that ranks first in the nation in points per game.

To say Villanova’s run to the title game has been impressive would be an understatement. The Wildcats have won all five of their tournament games by double figures and they put up 95 points in beating Kansas in the Final Four. They have also played a tougher Big Dance schedule than Michigan, beating three top-five seeds while the Wolverines have not faced higher than a sixth seed.

These teams met last in the 2014 season where Villanova beat Michigan 60-55. In their games held at a neutral site this season Michigan is 11-1 and Villanova is a perfect 14-0.

Michigan vs. Villanova betting trends

Michigan is 25-10 ATS in the last 35 games, 4-1-2 ATS in the last seven, and has an Under record of 4-1-1 in their last six games.

Villanova is 24-8 ATS in the last 32 games against teams with a winning record, 22-8 ATS in 30 games at neutral sites, and carrying an Over record of 15-5 in the last 20 outings.

The Wolverines beat Loyola of Chicago 69-57 in the Final Four and while they did not have a great shooting game with a FG% of 42.4% and a three-point FG% of 25%, they played solid defense. Not only did they hold the Ramblers to 43.1% shooting and a three-point FG% of only 10%, but they also forced 17 turnovers. Moritz Wagner had a big game, leading Michigan with 25 points, 15 rebounds and three steals. Charles Matthews was the only other player on the team to go for double figures, with 17 points. These two players are the high scorers for the season as well, with Wagner (14.3 ppg) going for 21 points in two of his last three games.

The Wildcats beat Kansas 95-79 in their Final Four game where they set a record with 18 three-pointers and they outscored the Jayhawks by 15 points in the first half. They shot a solid FG% of 55.4% and 45% from three-point range holding Kansas to 45.2% shooting and 33.3% from deep. Eric Paschall was the high scorer for Villanova, going for 24 points, Jalen Brunson had 18 points, and every starter went for double figures. The loaded Wildcats have six players averaging in double figures for the season, led by Brunson (19.2 ppg) and Mikal Bridges (17.8 ppg).

Wolverines vs. Wildcats predictions

This game is all about Villanova’s high-scoring offense and Michigan’s great defense. The Wildcats will not be stopped, but the Wolverines will give them a good game. Villanova will win the game and be crowned champions, but Michigan will cover the spread as a seven-point underdog at Bovada.