Though Villanova (17-2, 6-1) wasn't overly impressive in its most recent win at Marquette (11-9, 3-4) on Saturday, it was a big win nonetheless, for the land of the Golden Eagles is never an easy place to play, especially as desperate fans pass the Buck(s) and devote more time to college basketball (Wisconsin is struggling lately, but is still 17-3).

They'll face another storied program at home (9:00 pm EST, FS1) with a similarly mediocre story this year in Georgetown (11-8, 3-5).

Caught in a streak of four straight losses, the Hoyas have most recently been at their worst after a respectable start to the season (11-4). They'll be desperate for a win against the Wildcats, for their next game is against #3 Michigan State (18-2, 7-1), also at home. Wining one of their next two and finishing the conference schedule strong will give them a decent shot at the tournament. Winning both, of course, could change the entire trajectory of their season.

Georgetown is catching Villanova at a somewhat vulnerable time. Two games ago, they lost to Creighton by nearly 30 points. Strangely (for a school known for their defensive prowess), that game was mostly about a lack of defensive continuity and Jay Wright's failure to make the proper adjustments. Offensively, his Wildcats were capable against the Blue Jays and in their recent win over Marquette. But defensive issues persisted against the Golden Eagles.

"We were not good defensively," Wright told ESPN of the Marquette game. "We just outscored them at the end."

Encouragingly for the Wildcats, they got big games out of senior James Bell (30 points), who's been struggling lately after a hot start, and Ryan Arcidiacono, who's been hotter as of late after a poor start. Besides JayVaugh Pinkston, a Charles Barkely type who refuses to ever settle for less than a 5 foot shoot, "Arci" is probably the Wildcats' most interesting player. Blessed with a scorer's skill set, he's got the mindset of a point guard and the grit of a slot receiver. The combination makes for a rather odd, but effective court leader. And it works for this current Villanova team, which as a range of scoring options and a pretty good understanding of how to use them at the right times. Arci is also one of Wright's most preferred and trusted players, even though he's only a sophomore.

"To have a point guard like that who wants the ball in his hands, makes the right decisions, is big," Wright said. "Ryan missed a couple of foul shots at the end of regulation. There was no doubt of anybody on our team that he would make the next ones. He doesn't let it affect him. He's a special player."

The Wildcats will be favored by 6.5 tonight. Tough call. It might be disrespectful to pick a Villanova cover. Yet, Georgetown, a team that struggles to score, just lost their third-leading scorer to academic issues. That could free up lesser used players or lead to a difficult adjustment period. I'll stick with my fanhood and pick another Villanova cover. (My head is leaning Georgetown so don't be surprised if I get burned in this one.)

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Regular season: 7-6 (won last five)

Picking Schedule: 

Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)

UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)

Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)

Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)

Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)

Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)

Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)

Colorado @ Arizona: W (picked Colorado, + 14.5)

Illinois @ Ohio State: W (picked Illinois, + 11)

Michigan @ Michigan State: W (picked Michigan, + 4.5)

Villanova @ Marquette: W (picked Villanova, -3)

Utah @ Arizona: W (picked Utah, + 15)