Xavier vs. Villanova Pick
Can No. 3 Villanova put on another impressive showing at home when it hosts No. 15 Xavier at 7PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Villanova is favored at home, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -8 points against Xavier. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 142 points. Villanova has won and covered the spread in six of its last seven meetings with Xavier.
Following its first loss of the season, Villanova bounced back this weekend with a 93-81 win over Marquette on Saturday. The Wildcats are now 15-1 on the season and 3-1 in the Big East. The Wildcats are also 9-6 against the spread, having gone 2-2 ATS in their four conference games. Nova is averaging 79.3 points per game on offense this season while allowing 63.5 points per game defensively. Josh Hart is leading the team with 19.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Two others are averaging over 13 points per game as well.
Xavier is on a six-game win streak right now, including a 3-0 start in the Big East. The Musketeers are now 13-2 on the year and they have covered the spread in four straight to get to 9-5 ATS for the season. Xavier is averaging 78 points per game on offense in the 2016-17 season while giving up 66.5 points per game on defense. However, they have allowed 73.3 points per game defensively on the road. Trevon Bluiett is leading the team with 17.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while two others are putting up over 14 points per contest.
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Xavier definitely is a team to look out for but playing well at Villanova is not easy. The Wildcats really step up their defensive effort at home, allowing just 57.6 points per game. Nova lost at Butler, but it was more due to a lack of offense than a poor defense. Look for Nova to be able to put up the points necessary to cover while the defense locks down Xaiver’s offense.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: VILLANOVA -8