[InTheHole]

DAVE CAREY
East Region

No. 3 Villanova Wildcats
vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers

After three rounds of the NCAA tournament and an 0-3 ATS record, I think it’s pretty safe to assume two things about Pittsburgh: They hate dopes like me who keep expecting them to explode and they don’t care about style points.“Survive and advance” has become the motto for the grind-it-out Panthers (31-4 SU, 16-12-1 ATS), who escaped Xavier thanks to a clutch 3-pointer by guard Levance Fields. A big problem for Pittsburgh has been defensive rebounding where they’ve allowed the opposition to grab a staggering 40 rebounds on Pittsburgh’s glass in the tournament.Center DeJuan Blair had 10 points and 17 rebounds against Xavier but was far from dominant, missing easy shots inside and getting out-worked and out-positioned for rebounds. If he doesn’t toughen up and get some help from his teammates, it will be tough for the Panthers to reach the Final Four.Villanova (29-7 SU, 18-14 ATS) has advanced by finding its identity on offense during the second half of a 14-point comeback against American in the opening round. The Wildcats have become relentless at attacking off turnovers and don’t settle for jump shots on offense, as they take the ball to the rim and draw contact or create open looks for teammates.In a beat down of Duke on Thursday night, Villanova allowed the Blue Devils to shoot just 26.7 percent from the floor and just 5-of-27 from beyond the arc. Duke’s big three of Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Gerald Henderson were a combined 9-of-45 from the field.The pressure of Villanova’s smaller, guard-oriented lineup has given opponents fits in the tournament and did the same to Pittsburgh in a 67-57 win in Philadelphia earlier this season.The Wildcats forced 17 turnovers and allowed Pitt to make just 3-of-16 3-pointers. Villanova trailed by five at the half, but continually got to the line in the final stanza and held a commanding edge in free throws, making 19-of-28 attempts compared to just 10-of-17 from the Panthers.Pittsburgh is too talented and plays at such a slow pace it is nearly impossible to blow the team out, but the pressure on Fields and the rest of the guards will be too much. The Panthers will be run out of the tournament in the second half by Villanova‘s depth and talented guards.Scottie Reynolds and Dante Cunningham will be cutting down the nets in Beantown.

Final score prediction:
Villanova 70, Pittsburgh 62