The Xavier Musketeers (11-2, 0-0 Big East) and Villanova Wildcats (9-2, 0-0 Big East) open the conference schedule at Finneran Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. ET Monday. We analyze the Xavier-Villanova odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.
Xavier at Villanova: Three things you need to know
1. These Big East rivals faced each other three times last season, with the Wildcats winning 85-75 to cover the spread on Jan. 18 and also hitting the Over. In the rematch, the Musketeers won 66-54 to cover as the Under hit. They also met in the conference tourney, with ‘Nova winning in overtime, as Xavier covered with the Over.
2. The Musketeers have covered four of the past 13 games overall, and they’re 7-3 against the spread in the past 10 games on the road.
3. The Wildcats have covered 29 of the past 42 games at home, but they’re just 1-5-1 ATS in the past seven overall, and 1-4-1 ATS in the past six against winning sides.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!
Xavier at Villanova: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 9 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Villanova 77, Xavier 75
Moneyline (ML)
There was no moneyline available at the time of publishing.
Against the Spread (ATS)
XAVIER (+5.5, -106) will look to add to ‘Nova’s (-5.5, -115) woes against the number. The Wildcats have been scratching out wins, but failing to cover, going 1-5-1 ATS in the past seven. Look for a close battle in this conference opener, as the two rivals feel each other out early before a close finish at the end.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 139.5 (-106) is the play in Philly, as the over has hit in six of the past eight for XU, and 12 of the past 17 for ‘Nova.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=11866]