Villanova vs. Xavier Pick
No. 2 Villanova faces another tough road test today when it takes on No. 24 Xavier at 2:30PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Villanova is favored on the road, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -4 points against Xavier. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 143.5 points. Villanova has won eight of the last nine in this series, including a 79-54 victory at home back on Jan. 10. The Wildcats have also covered the spread in eight of the last nine meetings.
Villanova has won four straight coming into tonight, including a 75-64 win over Georgetown at home this week. The Wildcats are now 23-2 on the season and 10-2 in the Big East. Despite the win streak, Villanova has failed to cover in six straight games and is now 12-12 against the spread on the season. Nova averages 77.5 points per game on offense while allowing just 63 on defense. Josh Hart is leading the team with 19.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while Jalen Brunson is adding 14.1 points and 4.2 assists per contest.
Xavier also comes into this game, hot, winning four straight to get to 18-6 on the season and 8-3 in the Big East. The Musketeers are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five and now sit at 11-12 against the spread on the season. Xavier averages 76.7 points per game on offense while allowing 70 on defense. At home, Xavier drops its defensive average to just 64.4 points per contest. The team has been playing well despite losing Edmond Sumner for the season with a knee injury. He averaged 15 points and 5 assists per game. Trevon Bluiett is leading the team with 18.7 points and 6 rebounds contest.
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The spread is thin, which makes me lean to Villanova. I think the Wildcats had the matchup advantage even before Sumner was hurt. With him out, I think Villanova should be able to control tempo and limit Xavier on both sides of the ball. The Wildcats already own a 25-point win over Xavier and I don’t see a massive turnaround in results today.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: VILLANOVA -4