Villanova Expected To Advance Past Milwaukee

By Joseph Santoliquito

Philadelphia, PA (CBS) — Villanova has been one of the nation's top teams, and this Thursday, the Wildcats plan on showing why in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The No. 2 seed Wildcats open with Horizon Conference Champion Milwaukee, which got hot at the right time, winning its conference tournament after going 7-9 in the Horizon during the regular season.

Here's a look at Villanova-Milwaukee.

Site & Time: First Niagra Center, Buffalo, N.Y.

Second Round at 9:25 PM Thursday

No. 2 Villanova Wildcats

Record: 28-4 (16-2, 1st BIG EAST)

Coach: Jay Wright (12th year)

Key Wins: Kansas, Iowa, Providence (2)

Record vs RPI Top 50: 6-3

NCAA Record: 49-33 (34th appearance)

Last Appearance: First Round (2013)

Best Finish: National Champions (1985)

Projected starters

JayVaughn Pinkston F Jr. 6-7 14.2 ppg

Daniel Ochefu F So. 6-11 5.8 ppg

Ryan Arcidiacono G So. 6-3 9.9 ppg

Darrun Hilliard G Jr. 6-6 14.3 ppg

James Bell G Sr. 6-6 14.5 ppg

No. 15 Milwaukee Panthers

Record: 21-13 (7-9, 5th Horizon) - Horizon Tourney Champion

Coach: Rob Jeter (2011 Horizon League Coach of the Year) Key Wins: at Green Bay (2), at Davidson, Wright State (2) Record vs. RPI Top 50: 0-1

NCAA Record: 3-3 (4th appearance)

Last Appearance: Round of 32 (2006)

Best Finish: Sweet Sixteen (2005)

Projected starters

Kyle Kelm F Sr. 6-9 12.6 ppg

Matt Tiby F So. 6-8 12.1 ppg

Austin Arians F So. 6-6 10.9 ppg

Jordan Aaron G Sr. 5-10 15 ppg

Steve McWhorter G Jr. 6-2 8.0 ppg

Why Villanova will win: Despite the subpar display against Seton Hall in the Big East Tournament, the Wildcats are still a very good team, with more athleticism than Milwaukee. The Panthers will want to slow down Villanova. That won't happen. Milwaukee sometimes has problems holding the ball. Villanova averaged 16.7 points a game off turnovers, which was the most in the Big East.

The pick: Villanova big—88-70. Someone has to pay for the Seton Hall debacle.

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