Xavier Musketeers vs. Villanova Wildcats 1/18/19, Prediction & Odds

Musketeers vs. Wildcats Prediction

The Villanova Wildcats have won five games in a row to move back into the top 25 as they prepare for tonight's home tilt versus the Xavier Musketeers. Can 22nd-ranked Villanova keep its winning streak intact?

Game Snapshot

861 Xavier Musketeers at 862 Villanova Wildcats

Friday, January 18, 2019

Wells Fargo Center at 8:30PM ET

TV: FS1

Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our College Basketball Odds & Betting Page.

 

Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Wildcats are a 10-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 139 points. As of Friday morning, 54 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Xavier. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest information.

Musketeers edge Bulldogs

Naji Marshall hit a free throw with 3.2 seconds remaining Sunday afternoon to lift Xavier to a 70-69 home victory over Butler. The Musketeers (11-7, 3-2 Big East) outscored the visitors 44-38 in the second half to post the win. Xavier shot 22-of-56 from the field, 7-of-28 from 3-point distance and 19-of-25 at the free throw line. Paul Scruggs paced the Musketeers with 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting including 5-of-8 from 3-point range plus 2-of-3 at the free throw line. He also notched eight rebounds and six assists. Marshall contributed 14 points plus four boards and three dimes. Kyle Castlin added 12 points, seven caroms and three assists.

Wildcats race past Bluejays

Villanova earned a 90-78 victory Sunday afternoon at Creighton to move to 13-4 overall and 4-0 in the Big East. After trailing by four at halftime, the Wildcats outscored the hosts by a count of 52-36 after the break. Phil Booth paced Villanova with 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting including 4-of-7 from 3-point distance plus 6-of-6 at the free throw line. He also had seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Eric Paschall tallied 21 points along with seven boards and three dimes. Collin Gillespie contributed 14 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals. Jermaine Samuels added 13 points, six caroms and two blocked shots. The Wildcats shot 31-of-58 from the field, 12-of-27 from 3-point range and 16-of-19 at the free throw line.

College Basketball Betting Trends

Xavier

The Musketeers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games. Xavier is 1-3-1 ATS in its last five Friday games. 

Villanova

The Wildcats are 6-0 ATS in their last six Friday games. Villanova is 18-7 ATS in its last 25 home games.

Prediction:

Villanova is clearly the better team here, but Xavier has a pretty good offense that should be able to keep it in this one for much of the game. While the Musketeers do struggle defensively, they should be amped up for the challenge and the chance to get revenge from last year's pair of double-digit losses. While I don't see Xavier winning outright, I think it keeps it within single digits.

 

NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: XAVIER MUSKETEERS +10