The Villanova Wildcats (8-8, 2-3 Big East) battle the DePaul Blue Demons (7-9, 1-4) Tuesday. Tip from Wintrust Arena is set for 9 p.m. ET (CBSSN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Villanova vs. DePaul odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Wildcats lost to the No. 11 Xavier Musketeers 88-80 Saturday as a 2-point home favorite. Villanova is just 6-10 against the spread (ATS) on the season, but has covered 3 of its last 5. The Wildcats’ strength is in getting to the line, ranking No. 1 in the country in free-throw percentage (85.7%).
DePaul pushed as an 8-point road underdog in a 78-70 loss to Butler on Jan. 4. The Blue Demons are 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games. They rank 8th in the country in free-throw shooting (78.9%). Their weakness is defense, sitting 327th in opponents’ points per game (75.6).
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Villanova at DePaul odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:32 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Villanova -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | DePaul +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread (ATS): Villanova -6.5 (-110) | DePaul +6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Villanova at DePaul picks and predictions
Prediction
Villanova 74, DePaul 70
Moneyline
PASS.
Villanova is the better team, but at (-300), it is not worth a play on the moneyline.
Against the spread
LEAN DEPAUL +6.5 (-110).
The Blue Demons are 5-2 at home while Villanova is 2-3 on the road and coming off a home loss. DePaul is 2-1-1 ATS in its last 4 games.
DePaul ranks 140th in 3-point FG percentage (34.9%) which is more than Nova can say. The Wildcats also struggle to defend the 3, ranking 251st in opponents’ 3-point FG percentage (34.6%).
Considering the Blue Demons are at home and should get open looks and potentially advantageous calls, back DEPAUL +6.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET OVER 141.5 (-105).
If there’s 1 thing both teams have been good at it is hitting the projected Over. Villanova is 9-7 O/U this season while DePaul is 8-7-1 O/U. The Wildcats scored 80 on Xavier in their last game. They have 5-5 O/U in their last 10.
DePaul is 2-1-1 O/U in its last 4, all against conference opponents. It also allowed 75.6 PPG, so the Wildcats should be able to score with ease.
Considering the season-long trends, back the OVER 141.5 (-105).
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