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College Basketball

Villanova Wildcats vs. Xavier Musketeers Picks, Predictions, Odds

Daniel Dobish
Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read

The Villanova Wildcats (11-4, 4-1 Big East) travel to meet the Xavier Musketeers (12-2, 2-1) for a Big East conference battle Wednesday at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on FOX Sports 1.

SCORE PREDICTION

Villanova 72, Xavier 68

BEST BETS

Villanova -1 (-110) at DraftKings

Under 140.5 (-110) at BetMGM

VILLANOVA WILDCATS VS. XAVIER MUSKETEERS PREDICTIONS

After a couple of ugly, lopsided losses at Baylor and at Creighton on Dec. 12 and Dec. 17, the Wildcats have bounced back with four consecutive wins and covers, and it all started with a 71-58 home victory against Xavier on Dec. 21. In that game, superstar Collin Gillespie was a tremendously efficient 7-of-11 to end up with 15 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. He was one of four players to go for 15 or more points on a day when just eight players were available for the Wildcats. 'Nova ended up hitting 49% from the field, or 27-of-55, while hitting 29%, or 6-of-21, from behind the 3-point line. Villanova struggled at the free-throw line, hitting 11-of-17, but the 'Cats took good care of the basketball with just seven turnovers.

In that game, the Musketeers hit just 40%, or 21-of-52, while hitting 26%, or 6-of-23, from behind the arc. Star Paul Scruggs ended up hitting just 2-of-10 from the floor, finishing with only six points, although he did snag seven rebounds. However, he also turned it over three times, accounting for 25 percent of the miscues. XU had just two scorers to go for double digits in a forgettable performance.

After a COVID pause since that loss at Villanova on Dec. 21, the Musketeers returned to action Jan. 7 at Butler, winning 87-72 while covering a 6.5-point spread as the OVER connected. Scruggs was much better, too, going for 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists, a steal and a blocked shot, while the Musketeers had four scorers go for 10 or more points.

VILLANOVA WILDCATS VS. XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

VILLANOVA WILDCATS VS. XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Matchup: Big East
  • Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2022
  • Venue: Cintas Center
  • Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • TV-Time: FS1 - 6:30 p.m. ET

VILLANOVA WILDCATS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 11-4
  • ATS: 9-6
  • O/U: 7-8

The Wildcats roughed up DePaul in Illinois by a 79-64 count as 10-point favorites, rattling off four straight wins and covers since a blowout loss at Creighton on Dec. 17. Villanova's four-game cover streak is tied for its longest since a 6-0 ATS run from Jan. 13-Feb. 3, 2019, a streak which also included a win over Xavier.

Not only has Villanova rattled off four straight covers, it is 4-0 ATS in the past four games against teams with a winning overall record. The Wildcats are also 5-1 ATS in the past six games after a straight-up victory, while going 4-1 ATS in the past five following a cover.

For totals, the UNDER has cashed in seven of the past 10 games overall, while going 4-1 in the past five against teams with a winning overall mark. The UNDER is 5-2 in the past seven following a straight-up victory, too.

The good news for Villanova side bettors is the fact the favorite has cashed in 14 of the past 18 meetings. But be careful, as the home team is also 9-4 ATS in the past 13 meetings.

XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 12-2
  • ATS: 10-4
  • O/U: 6-7-1

After a holiday and COVID break, the Musketeers were back in action after a length hiatus from Dec. 21 to Jan. 7. Xavier posted an 87-72 win as 6.5-point favorites, snapping a two-game non-cover streak. XU is still 7-2 ATS across the past nine games overall, and 12-3 ATS over the previous 15 outings. However, one of the rare non-covers was against Villanova on the road Dec. 21.

Xavier has posted a very impressive 7-1 ATS mark in the past eight games at Cintas Center, while cashing in seven of the past nine games overall. The Musketeers are also a very impressive 8-3 ATS in the past 11 games against teams with a winning overall record. Again, one of those non-covers was at Villanova in the first meeting, so be careful. XU is also 5-1 ATS in the past six games after a cover, and 8-3 ATS in the past 11 after a straight-up victory.

The OVER is an impressive 3-1-1 in the past five games overall, while going 3-1-2 in the past six at home against teams with a winning road record. On the flip side, however, the UNDER is 4-1 in the past five for Xavier against teams with a winning overall record, including the meeting at 'Nova.


Villanova has cashed in each of the past four games, including the first meeting vs. Xavier. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - VILLANOVA WILDCATS

  • Record: 11-4
  • VI Ranking: 9
  • PS/G: 73.1 (158th)
  • PA/G: 61.6 (31st)
  • ORtg: 113.0 (24th)
  • DRtg: 95.2 (125th)

INSIDE THE STATS - XAVIER MUSKETEERS

  • Record: 12-2
  • VI Ranking: 20
  • PS/G: 76.4 (87th)
  • PA/G: 62.7 (48th)
  • ORtg: 108.5 (73rd)
  • DRtg: 89.1 (32nd)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • NOVA: Collin Gillespie - G (16.9 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG)
  • NOVA: Justin Moore - G (15.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.3 SPG)
  • XAV: Jack Nunge - F (12.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 54.7 FG%)
  • XAV: Paul Scruggs - G (10.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.4 SPG)

VILLANOVA WILDCATS VS. XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING CONCLUSION

Recollection of the first meeting is still rather fresh, as Villanova just topped Xavier Dec. 21. That game was at home, however, and it's never easy to win in the Cintas Center. Just ask Marquette, Cincinnati and Ohio State, three of the more notable victims in nine consecutive home victories to open the current season for Xavier.

Villanova has won four consecutive meetings in this series since Xavier's most recent win, Feb. 24, 2019, in Cincinnati. The Wildcats have covered three straight meetings, and eight of the past 10 meetings overall, too. As far as the total, the UNDER has hit in each of the past three meetings, and seven of the past 10 overall in the series. It's not going to be easy, but Villanova will hand Xavier a narrow loss at Cintas Center, with the UNDER just coming in. But both wagers are worth small-unit plays only.

VILLANOVA WILDCATS VS. XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING TRENDS

  • Villanova is 4-0 ATS in the past four games overall.
  • Villanova is 4-0 ATS in the past four vs. winning teams.
  • Xavier is 7-2 ATS in the past nine games overall.
  • Xavier is 8-3 ATS in the past 11 vs. winning teams.
  • Xavier is 7-1 ATS in the past eight home games.
  • The UNDER is 7-3 in the past 10 games for Villanova.
  • The UNDER is 4-1 in the past five vs. winning teams for Villanova.
  • The OVER is 3-1-1 in the past five games for Xavier.
  • The UNDER is 4-1 in the past five vs. winning teams for Xavier.
  • The favorite is 14-4 ATS in the past 18 meetings.
  • The home team is 9-4 ATS in the past 13 meetings.

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Daniel Dobish

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish
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