Villanova at Xavier odds, picks and predictions (2024)

The Villanova Wildcats (13-14, 7-9 Big East) take on the No. 15 Xavier Musketeers (20-7, 12-4) Tuesday at Cintas Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Villanova vs. Xavier odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings courtesy of theUSA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

The Wildcats failed to cover as 3.5-point road underdogs in their 85-72 loss to current-No. 18 Providence on Saturday. Villanova was on a 3-game win streak before the defeat but has gone just 5-5 in its last 10 games.

The Musketeers defeated DePaul 82-68 on Saturday to cover as 13-point favorites at home. Xavier snapped a 2-game losing skid with the win and is 6-4 in its last 10 contests.

This will be the second meeting between Villanova and Xavier this season. The Musketeers won 88-80 in the first meeting to cover as 2-point road underdogs and the Over (145.5) connected.

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Villanova at Xavier odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; accessUSA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:03 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Villanova +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Xavier -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Villanova +5.5 (-115) | Xavier -5.5 (-105)
• Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Villanova at Xavier picks and predictions

Prediction

Xavier 79, Villanova 71

Moneyline

AVOID.

While the Musketeers (-240) are 2nd in the Big East standings and 14-1 at home, taking them straight up at the current odds to win this game isn’t worth the risk.

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Against the spread

Even with Villanova winning 3 of its last 4 games, XAVIER -5.5 (-105) is the ideal choice in this matchup. The Musketeers are 10-6 ATS in conference games compared to the Wildcats’ 7-9 ATS record against Big East opponents.

Villanova is also 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games against a team with a winning record.

Over/Under

OVER 148.5 (-105) is the lean in this contest with Xavier averaging a healthy 82.6 points per game (9th in the nation). Even though Villanova likely won’t produce enough points to win, Xavier allows a healthy 75.2 points per game (307th).

The Over is 19-6-1 in Xavier’s last 26 home games and 6-2 in its last 8 home games against a team with a losing road record.

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