The struggling Villanova Wildcats will attempt to chart a different course later today when they meet the eighth seeded George Mason Patriots in Cleveland. This afternoon's game, which will be broadcast live on TNT, is scheduled to get underway at 2:10pm ET at the Quicken Loans Arena. College Basketball Lines have the Wildcats listed as a -1 against the spread NCAA basketball picks favorite and the Over/Under set at 135.
If Villanova has any confidence right now than Head Coach Jay Wright is a true magician. The Wildcats late season collapse 
was epic in proportions, with the team, which started 16-1, losing seven of its last nine games.
Villanova comes into today's contest with a 21-11 record and nursing a five game losing streak that dates back to a February 21st meeting with the Syracuse Orange. The slide also includes losses to St. John's, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, and South Florida.
The Bulls were the latest team to rain on the Wildcats parade, beating them 70-69 in the opening round of the Big East Tournament. Corey Fisher, Maalik Wayns, and Corey Stokes combined for 55 of Villanova's 69 points; the rest of the team attempted just 10 field goals.
George Mason also enters this afternoon's skirmish off a loss after it fell 63-79 to Virginia Commonwealth in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. The Patriots, though, could hardly be described as a slumping team. Prior to the VCU game, George Mason had reeled off 16 straight wins in route to the CAA title.
The Patriots, despite owning an 0-3 record against the Wildcats, should put a jolt of fear into Wright's already anxious squad. They have three players that average double figures in scoring, including Cam Long (15.3 ppg), and they are one of the most deadly three point shooting teams in the nation (39.7 percent- ranks 12th nationally).
Villanova vs George Mason 2011 NCAA Bracket Predictions:
Villanova Wildcats -1 (-110), Over 135 (-110)
George Mason Patriots +1 (-110), Under 135 (-110)
