Villanova vs. DePaul Pick
Will No. 1 Villanova had any setbacks when they open up Big East play on the road against DePaul tonight at 7:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Villanova is the clear favorite on the road, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -15 points against DePaul. The over/under total for the game has been set at 143.5 points. Today’s game takes place from Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois and will air live on the CBS Sports Network.
Villanova is off to a 12-0 start to the season as it enters Big East play. The Wildcats are 9-3 against the spread this year, including 2-0 ATS on the road. They have covered in seven of their last eight games. Villanova is averaging 86.5 points per game on offense while allowing just 64.2 per game on defense. Jalen Brunson is putting up 18.2 points and 5 assists per game to lead Villanova this year while Mikal Bridges is adding 17.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
DePaul comes into today’s game with some momentum, as the Blue Demons have won six of their last seven to get to 7-5 on the season. They are also 7-5 against the spread, covering in four of their last five games. DePaul is averaging 74.1 points per game on offense while allowing 67.8 per game on defense. Maz Strus is leading DePaul this year with 17.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Marin Maric is adding 12.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest.
Villanova has won 10 straight meetings with DePaul coming into tonight, but the Blue Demons have covered in three straight, all double-digit spreads. Villanova has looked every part the top team in the nation, having few hiccups this season. The Wildcats are 38-17-1 against the spread in their last 56 road games while DePaul is just 5-14-1 ATS in their last 20 games following a win. The public betting is heavily with Villanova today and I think the Wildcats handle DePaul on the road. The Blue Demons lost by 21 to No. 2 Michigan State earlier this year and I expect a similar result tonight.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: VILLANOVA -15