Villanova Wildcats vs. Seton Hall Pirates Picks, Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Jan. 1, 2022

Dave Schwab
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Saturday’s featured showdown in the Big East sends the No. 22 Villanova Wildcats on the road to face the No. 15 Seton Hall Pirates. Game time from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey is set for 2:00 p.m. ET

Score Prediction

Villanova 75, Seton Hall 74

Best Bets

Over

Villanova Wildcats vs. Seton Hall Pirates Predictions

It has been more than 10 days since 8-4 Villanova hammered Xavier 71-58 to snap a straight- up two-game skid. This Saturday’s matchup is pivotal in determining the future direction of this team. A loss might drop the Wildcats out of the national rankings while a win would be huge step toward righting the ship.

The Pirates face a quick turnaround coming off a five-point road loss to Providence on Wednesday as 2.5-point underdogs. They are at a crossroads as well on New Year’s Day. While this is not a must-win by any stretch, Seton Hall needs to establish its place in the Big East’s pecking order this season with a big win at home.

With quite a bit on the line for both teams, this should be one of the more entertaining matchups on Saturday’s early afternoon slate. The main thing that I am banking on is each team scoring enough points to help exceed the total suggested by this game’s current betting line.

Villanova Wildcats vs. Seton Hall Pirates Betting Odds

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Villanova Wildcats vs. Seton Hall Pirates Betting Resources

• Matchup: Big East
• Date: Saturday, January 1, 2022
• Venue: Prudential Center
• Location: Newark, New Jersey
• TV-Time: FS1 - 2:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

Villanova Wildcats Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 8-4
• ATS: 6-6
• O/U: 5-7

Back-to-back losses to Baylor and Creighton sent the Wildcats tumbling in the national rankings. At 8-4 SU through their first 12 games, they are an even 6-6 against the spread. Earlier losses (SU and ATS) came against UCLA and Purdue as underdogs. The total has stayed UNDER in seven of those first 12 games.

Getting back on track against a quality opponent will take a total team effort. However, two keys to the game are guards’ Collin Gillespie and Justin Moore. They have combined to score 31 of Villanova’s 72.5 points per game. Gillespie (16.1 points) also leads the team in assists (3.3) while shooting 44.1% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range.

Forward Jermaine Samuels is third on the list in points with 10.5 and he leads the way in rebounds with 6.4 a game. Forward Brandon Slater is averaging 10.3 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 77.8% from the free throw line.

Overall, the Wildcats are connecting on 42.4% of their shots from the field and 35.8% from three-point range. They are pulling down an average of 36.1 rebounds a game including 11.4 on offense. Villanova is making 76.4% of its shots from the foul line and holding opposing teams to 62.7 points on defense.

Seton Hall Pirates Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 9-2
• ATS: 7-4
• O/U: 5-6

The 70-65 loss to Providence snapped a four-game winning streak both SU and ATS. The 9-2 Pirates are 7-4 ATS this season with the total going OVER in four of their last six games. The total stayed UNDER 139 points in Wednesday’s loss. The only other setback this season came against Ohio State on. Nov. 22 in a tight three-point loss as 2.5-point favorites.

To get by the Wildcats on Saturday, Seton Hall will need another big effort from guard Jared Rhoden. He leads the team in both points (16.7) and rebounds (7.6). Rhoden is also the Pirates’ best free throw shooter at 85.2% on 61 attempts.

Guard Bryce Aiken (11.2 points) and forward Tyrese Samuel (10.8) are the next two highest scorers in the lineup. Aiken is shooting 42.2% from the field and Samuel is adding 6.9 rebounds to the team’s solid 40.4 rebounds a game.

With an average of 78.7 PPG, Seton Hall is shooting 45% from the field and 31.3% from outside the three-point line. Defensively, the Pirates matchup well against Villanova with a points- allowed average of 62.6. However, they have given up more points than this average in five of their last six games.

Seton Hall has covered the spread in six of its last seven home games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Villanova Wildcats

• Record: 8-4
• VI Ranking: 24
• PS/G: 72.5 (179th)
• PA/G: 62.7 (67th)
• ORtg: 111.1 (43rd)
• DRtg: 96 (156th)

Inside the Stats - Seton Hall Pirates

• Record: 9-2
• VI Ranking: 15
• PS/G: 78.7 (55th)
• PA/G: 62.6 (66th)
• ORtg: 111.3 (40th)
• DRtg: 88.6 (43rd)

Key Players to Watch

• NOVA: Collin Gillespie - G (16.1 ppg)
• NOVA: Justin Moore - G (14.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
• HALL: Jared Rhoden - G (16.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg)
• HALL: Bryce Aiken - G (11.2 ppg)

Villanova Wildcats vs. Seton Hall Pirates Betting Conclusion

Saturday’s showdown should be a close, hard-fought battle between two of the Big East’s top team. Each is in need of an early conference win to add to the drama. My lean is towards Villanova but this one could go either way. I do think that each team’s top shooters will be on their game to drive up the final score.

The Wildcats have the SU 8-2 edge over the past 10 meetings. Yet, Seton Hall has been able to cover in six of those 10 games. The total has gone OVER in five of the last six games between these two conference rivals, including both meetings last season.

Villanova Wildcats vs. Seton Hall Pirates Betting Trends

• Seton Hall has covered the spread in six of its last seven home games.
• Villanova has failed to cover the spread in four of its last six road games.

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