The No. 11 Villanova Wildcats (22-7, 15-4 Big East) face the Butler Bulldogs (13-17, 6-13) Saturday in Indianapolis. The contest at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse is slated to tip off at noon ET (FOX). Below, we look at the Villanova vs. Butler odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Villanova was felled by now-No. 19 UConn 71-69 in its last road game (Feb. 22). The Wildcats have played just once since, squeaking out a 76-74 win over No. 8 Providence Tuesday. ‘Nova has gotten to the line 22.1 times per game in going 6-1 over its last seven games. The Wildcats shot 83.2% from the stripe over that span.
Butler was nearly doubled up by Villanova the last time these two met. The Wildcats shot 59.6% from the field to the Bulldogs’ 30.8%, as Villanova prevailed 82-42 in Philadelphia Jan. 16. Butler has struggled offensively in going just 4-10 since that first blowout.
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Villanova at Butler odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:57 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Villanova -475 (bet $475 to win $100) | Butler +340 (bet $100 to win $340)
- Against the spread (ATS): Villanova -8.5 (-120) | Butler +8.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 127.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Villanova at Butler odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Villanova 66, Butler 61
Money line
AVOID.
Things went sideways on Butler in the Jan. 16 meeting, but look for a strong effort from the home five in this one.
Villanova will still pick up the road win, but the -475 price is too expensive and risky.
Against the spread
The Bulldogs have been right in some recent games against tough competition. They are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games, including three consecutive covers. Villanova is 1-4-1 ATS in its last six.
Last season, Butler lost at ‘Nova by 19 in the teams’ first meeting (at Villanova) only to come back and beat the Wildcats by 12 two months later at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
TAKE BUTLER +8.5 (-105).
Over/Under
Peg this noon contest for a plodding pace. Villanova’s offense has stumbled in more than a couple Big East games out west. Consider a partial-unit play on the UNDER 127.5 (-112).
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