[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]
The Villanova Wildcats (11-6, 4-2 Big East) and the Xavier Musketeers (10-7, 2-4) meet Tuesday at Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Villanova vs. Xavier odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Villanova is coming off an 80-68 loss at the St. John’s Red Storm, halting a 3-game win and cover streak. The nation’s leading scorer, F Eric Dixon was limited to just 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting, although he still connected on 4 triples. He is averaging 25.3 PPG.
Xavier paddled the DePaul Blue Demons 77-63 last time out on Saturday as a 4.5-point road favorite, bouncing back from a pair of losses to the Georgetown Hoyas and St. John’s. The Musketeers are actually in a bit of a nosedive, going 2-5 straight up (SU) in the past 7 games. However, Xavier is an impressive 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in the previous 8 contests.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Villanova at Xavier odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:24 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Villanova +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Xavier -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Villanova +2.5 (-105) | Xavier -2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]
Villanova at Xavier picks and predictions
Prediction
Villanova 75, Xavier 71
Moneyline
VILLANOVA (+135) is a strong play as moderate underdogs. Xavier (-160) hasn’t been playing good basketball lately, with wins against just lowly St. John’s and the Seton Hall Pirates since mid-December.
The Wildcats are in much better shape, winning 8 of the past 10 games, and they have the nation’s leading scorer in tow.
Against the spread
Villanova +2.5 (-105) doesn’t make a whole lot of sense as a play, unless you’re either ultra conservative as a bettor, or you believe Xavier -2.5 (-115) is going to win, but only by 1 or 2 points. The Wildcats are a much, much better value straight up.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 147.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.
The Over and Under have alternated in the past 4 games for the Wildcats. Villanova has allowed 67 or fewer points in 4 of the past 7 games, and 7 of the previous 10 contests.
For Xavier, the Under and Over have alternated in the past 8 games, with the Under going 10-4-1 across the previous 15 contest.
The Under has connected in 3 straight meetings, too, while going 7-1 in the past 8 in the series since Dec. 30, 2019.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire / High School
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]