The Villanova Wildcats (8-9, 2-4 Big East) and Butler Bulldogs (10-8, 2-5) clash in a showdown of usual conference contenders off to slow starts in Big East play. The opening tip at Hinkle Fieldhouse will be at 7 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Villanova vs. Butler odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Villanova was dumped at DePaul 75-65 as a -6.5 favorite Tuesday and has lost 2 in a row straight up (SU)and against the spread (ATS). Recent offensive struggled have the Wildcats logging a 1-4 SU record in their last 5 games and in jeopardy of posting their 1st under-.500 season since 2011-12.
The Bulldogs are also 0-2 SU and 0-2 ATS over their last 2 games. Shooting woes and significant rebounding deficits have driven Butler into a 2-5 mark since Dec. 17. Over that span, the Bulldogs have filed a 38.7% mark from the floor while logging a minus-8.2 in average rebound margin.
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Villanova at Butler odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:04 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Villanova -110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Butler -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Villanova +1.5 (-125) | Butler -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Villanova at Butler picks and predictions
Prediction
Villanova 63, Butler 61
Moneyline
In a match-up that won’t likely be rife with offensive rebounds and trips to the free-throw line, this game will be greatly influenced by shooting.
VILLANOVA (-110) is the pick based on some expected regression in the way the frequent-3-launching Wildcats bounce back from a recent slump. Villanova’s shot frequency from beyond the arc is the 5th highest in the nation, so when it struggles from 3-point-land (30.2% last 5 games), the ripples through its offense are severe.
Even with its shooting issues, ‘Nova did have solid recent performances against well-regarded UConn and Marquette. Butler’s forays into that top-40 territory have not gone well, producing multiple losses of 15 points or more.
The last time they were in Hinkle Fieldhouse (March 5), the Wildcats went 11-of-24 from distance. Peg this as a close game, but one controlled at the end by a Villanova team that has had some unlucky results based on its scoring.
Against the spread
Take the better value on the ML play.
Over/Under
This match-up figures to churn out a low number of possessions. Other factors point to a low score, but some 3-pointer resurgence by the Wildcats (and more 3s by a trailing Butler team?) counteract that. PASS.
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