UCLA vs. Villanova: Live stream, watch online, TV channel, tipoff time, basketball game odds, prediction
The Bruins look to defend their home court against a deep, experienced Villanova team
By
Kyle Boone
•
1 min read
When No. 2 UCLA plays host to No. 4 Villanova at Westwood's Pauley Pavilion late Friday night it just might be one of the most even and compelling matchups of the opening week -- and possibly of the opening month -- of the 2021-22 college basketball season which just started Tuesday. Fresh off a Final Four appearance, the Bruins are slight favorites at home over the visiting Wildcats but both teams enter the game having blown out their competition in season-openers.
For UCLA, that was a 95-58 destruction of CSU Bakersfield, and for Villanova, it was a 91-51 dismantling of Mount St. Mary's. So it's hard to get a good feel on what to expect when the teams clash Friday.
One thing is certain: Both teams boast experience and depth that programs across the country covet. UCLA returns every player of significance from its Final Four run a season ago and Villanova returns star guard Collin Gillespie and a wealth of experience around him. It sets up an old-school college hoops showdown Friday between two legit title contenders.
Here is what to know before the game and who our team expects to come out on top.
How to watch UCLA vs. Villanova live
Date: Friday, Nov. 12 | Time: 11:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pauley Pavilion -- Los Angeles
TV: ESPN2 | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
UCLA vs. Villanova prediction, picks
UCLA is the slight betting favorite and on a neutral court, this feels like it'd probably be a pick 'em. But it's not on a neutral court -- it's on UCLA's court. So inside Pauley Pavilion I like the Bruins to ride the wave of crowd support to a big win (figuratively but not literally). Nova will keep this close though, I'd expect, so I'm taking the points with the 'Cats. Prediction: UCLA 69, Villanova 66
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