Michigan holds slight margin in picks vs. spread
Villanova is a 6½-point favorite over Michigan and the total is 145½ in Monday’s NCAA championship game.
The following is a survey of opinions from Review-journal staff members, other media, oddsmakers and professional handicappers: The 3s keep coming. Cats a cut above.
Offense beats defense as the Golden State Warriors of college hoops take out Michigan’s not-so-fab Five.
The best team in the nation has been the best team in the tournament. Nothing changes on Monday night.
Every team gets tested on its way to winning a title. ’Nova hasn’t been tested yet.
Top-seeded Villanova has too much offense, both inside and out, for a Michigan team that hasn’t faced an opponent seeded higher than sixth in the Big Dance. Michigan has Moe Wagner, but Villanova has more of everything else.
My numbers show ’Nova is only two points better so they cut down the nets but Michigan gets the cash. The Wolverines will control the tempo
I would have picked Michigan over 66 of the other 67 teams but Villanova’s talent, depth, experience and ease with which they have sailed through this tournament suggest they will withstand a Michigan challenge to ultimately prevail.
’Nova looked unbeatable Saturday, but Michigan will be prepared to defend the 3 and keep this close to the end.
Anticipate the Wolverines to be the defensive aggressor, not allowing the Wildcats to be as comfortable outside the arc as they were against Kansas.
Michigan has no chance of trading shots with Villanova, whose incredible run through the tournament ends with its sixth double-digit win and second title in three years. Wildcats will dictate the pace and have the much better offense. Easier road to the championship game for Michigan will finally hit a road block.
Villanova’s 3-point shooting won’t drop as easily against Michigan’s stingy defense, but they’ll still have enough to win their second title in three years. ’Nova covers but Michigan’s defense keeps the total under. Another championship for Philadelphia.
Michigan’s 3-point defense keeps them in the game, but Villanova has too much firepower and fends them off.
The Wildcats are just simply too dominant to stop right now. They do everything well on both sides of the ball and shouldn’t have much trouble slowing down Michigan to win their second title in three seasons.
The Wildcats defense is sound game after game. Coach Jay Wright doesn’t get enough credit for putting his team in a position to succeed.
The Wildcats looked almost invincible in the semifinals against Kansas, but Mo Wagner and Michigan will keep it closer than many expect.
Not sure I’ll even bet this as I see Michigan as a small lean with the points, plus only a small lean on the over (maybe a small Michigan-and-over parlay).
Can’t believe Villanova can play any better than it did Saturday. Think this game goes down to the wire, with the Wildcats pulling out the win.
John Beilein is a coaching wizard and his Wolverines will slow the pace, but the Wildcats have too much offensive firepower.
Straight-uppicks: Villanova 21, Michigan 3
ATS picks: Villanova 11, Michigan 13 Total: Under 14, Over 10
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.