Closest to the Pin Round 1: LaSalle
Update: Tuesday, November 15 (Game Results). With the Cat’s 76-69 win over LaSalle, we congratulate three VU Hoops readers who took medals in this round. Bulls-eye: Scott0220 (76-69) earning 5.0 points; Silver Medal: Dom (77-68) earning 1.5 points; Bronze Medal: Stevie V (79-69) earning 0.5 points.
VUHoops vs. Vegas: Based on the average predicted scores of the VUHoops Crowd and the posted Vegas line, we would have LOST $200 by betting ‘Nova -14 (loss) and the Over (loss). The details follow. With the double-loss, we begin the season down $200.
| VU Hoops | Vegas | Bet | Actual | Result | |
| Spread | ‘Nova -16.0 | ‘Nova -14.0 | ‘Nova -14.0 | ‘Nova by 7 | LOSS |
| Total | 154.0 | 150.0 | OVER | 145 | LOSS |
Note:Â Closest to the Pin returns for the December 3 Big Five contest vs. Penn.
Update: Tuesday, November 15 (Game Time). A total of 115 VUHoops readers have posted predictions so far, none picking the Explorers to win. As a group, the readers see ‘Nova winning by a score of 85-69 (a margin of 16.0 points and implied over/under of 154). The Vegas odds makers picked ‘Nova to win by 14.0 points and set the over/under higher at 150.0 points, implying a final score of 82-68.
Scatter Plot of Predicted Scores
Window Opening: Sunday, November 13, 8:00 PM The window is now open for our readers to post their predicted final scores for Tuesday’s game against LaSalle at the Pavilion in the opening round of our Closest to the Pin Contest (TV coverage on ESPN3).
While not listed in the Top 25, based on votes received Villanova is ranked #33 by AP and #34 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.  Kenpom.com ranks Villanova #27. LaSalle is also unranked in either the AP or ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, and is ranked #186 by Kenpom.com. LaSalle boasts a record of 1-0, coming off a 79-53 win over Lafayette on Friday.
Be sure to read Brian’s game preview.  We’ll post the Las Vegas spread / over-under on game day. Good luck!
Special Note: When posting predictions, be sure to:
- use a consistent handle / ID so that we can keep an accurate running leader board over the course of the season. Obviously, score predictions posted by anonymous readers cannot be accepted.
- list your predicted score for Villanova first, followed by the score for the opponent (e.g., Cats 100, LaSalle 75)
