On Saturday, April, 2nd at 6:09 P.M. the (2) Oklahoma Sooners will take on the (2) Villanova Wildcats in the “Final Four” of the 2016 NCAA Basketball Tournament.  Villanova is (33-5) on the season while Oklahoma is (29-7).  “The Crowd” projects a final score of Oklahoma 75.7 – Villanova 73.9 with an over/under of 149.6.  The Vegas Line has a final score of Villanova 75 – Oklahoma 73 with an over/under of 148.

Scoring Margin: Villanova +13.9 Oklahoma +10.1

Points per game: Oklahoma 80.5 Villanova 77.5

Points allowed per game: Villanova 63.6 Oklahoma 70.4

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Villanova 47.4% Oklahoma 46%

Three Point Percentage: Oklahoma 42.9% Villanova 35.1%

Free Throw Percentage: Villanova 77.5% Oklahoma 72.7%

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Villanova 40.1% Oklahoma 40.6%

Turnovers committed per game: Villanova 11.2 Oklahoma 12.9

Turnovers forced per game: Villanova 13.8 Oklahoma 12.8

Rebounds per game: Oklahoma 41.3 Villanova 37.6

Assists per game: Villanova 16.5 Oklahoma 14.5

These teams are evenly matched in nearly every one of the major statistical categories but I would give the slight edge to Villanova.  Villanova has signature wins against five ranked opponents: Xavier, Butler, Providence, Miami, and Kansas.  Oklahoma has signature wins over seven ranked teams: Baylor (twice), West Virginia (twice), Texas, Iowa State, Villanova, and Texas A&M, and Oregon.  Oklahoma has the advantage in strength of schedule and having beaten Villanova 78-55 in Norman.  I like the Sooners to advance to the championship round.

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