Villanova Wildcats vs Georgetown Hoyas: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: (17) Villanova Wildcats vs Georgetown Hoyas

Where: Capital One Arena in Washington, DC

When: Wednesday, February 20th at 6:30 PM EST

How (TV): FS1

Villanova Wildcats (Away)

Head Coach: Jay Wright {Overall: 20-6 .769 W-L% | Conference: 11-2, 1st in Big East}

Another season, another Wildcats team at the top of the Big East. Head coach Jay Wright seems to have found the right formula and after a solid round of inter-conference play, the Wildcats have returned to the Big East with great performances.

Despite recent losses to Marquette and St. John’s (NY) – both close games – the Wildcats have dominated the Big East. They are 11-2 against Big East competition and have won by double-digits in six of those matches.

The Hoyas are a diligent passing team with eyes set on scoring inside or getting to the free-throw line. While they don’t have tremendous scoring options, they are an energetic team that will try to run Villanova out of the gym. They will also need to keep an eye out for big man Jessie Govan, who rarely has an equal at the pivot position.

Georgetown Hoyas (Home)

Head Coach: Patrick Ewing {Overall: 15-10 .600 W-L% | Conference: 5-7, 6th in Big East}

The Georgetown Hoyas are coming off of an embarrassing loss the Seton Hall and a close loss to Butler when they take on Villanova. The season hasn’t been perfect for head coach Patrick Ewing and with only five games left in the season he will be pressured to perform.

The Hoyas were blown out by Seton Hall in their last matchup. Not only were they unable to establish their inside presence, but they were dismal from three converting on only 7-24 of their shots.

The Hoyas will look to rectify their problems when they take on the Big East leading Villanova Wildcats. It surely won’t be an easy match for the Hoyas, but if they can establish their inside game they will be able to create more opportunities for their more streaky shooters.

Villanova Wildcats Roster Notes

F Cole Swider – 19 Jan 2019 – (Ankle) is out for the season.

Georgetown Hoyas Roster Notes

The Georgetown Hoyas have no roster changes of note.

Head-to-Head: Phil Booth (VIL) vs Mac McClung (GEO)

Phil Booth

Guard | 6-3, 194lb (190cm, 87kg) | Baltimore, MD | Mount Saint Joseph HS | Graduate

18.3 PPG | 3.8 APG | 3.7 RPG | 0.8 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 2.1 TOV | .440 FG% | .386 3P%

Mac McClung

Guard | 6-2, 185lb (188cm, 83kg) | Gate City HS | Gate City, VA | Freshman

13.1 PPG | 2.1 APG | 2.6 RPG | 0.7 SPG | 0.1 BPG | 1.9 TOV | .394 FG% | .279 3P%

It will be a matchup of freshman energy versus senior experience when Villanova’s Phil Booth faces off against Georgetown’s Mac McClung on Wednesday night. Booth is putting up the year of his career in his fifth season while McClung is an internet sensation putting on a game to match the instagram videos.

Two-time NCAA Champion and All-Tournament Player Phil Booth is not a guard to be taken lightly. He has come back in his last season a man on a mission. Nearly doubling his scoring output while maintaining his efficiency. He is lethal from three and is a solid distributor and playmaker. He may not be flashy, but he certainly is a player you can’t allow to flow freely.

Mac McClung comes into every game as a player the fans want to see. His show stopping athleticism is something to watch but he has depth to his game that makes him a dangerous matchup. He’s capable off the dribble and his athleticism allows him to get to his spots easily. He is still a streaky shooter, and sometimes too willing, but he can hit from range when left open. McClung is an energizer teams don’t want finding his rhythm.

Villanova Wildcats at Georgetown Hoyas Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Villanova Wildcats favoured over the Georgetown Hoyas by 5, with an over/under of 110.