Wildcats vs. Musketeers Prediction
The 17th-ranked Villanova Wildcats have lost three of their last four games going into today’s clash at the Xavier Musketeers. Will Villanova find its winning ways this afternoon or is another loss in the cards?
Game Snapshot
827 Villanova Wildcats at 828 Xavier Musketeers
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Cintas Center at 1:30PM ET
TV: CBS
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Wildcats are listed as a 5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 136.5 points. As of Sunday morning, 87 percent of public bets are pouring in on visiting Villanova. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Wildcats fall at Hoyas
Villanova lost by a count of 85-73 defeat Wednesday night at Georgetown to fall to 20-7 overall and 11-3 in the Big East Conference. The Wildcats trailed 42-32 at halftime on their way to the defeat. Villanova shot 25-of-65 from the field, 9-of-38 from 3-point range and 14-of-19 from the free throw line. Phil Booth paced the Wildcats with 26 points on 10-of-22 shooting including 3-of-10 from 3-point range plus 3-of-3 from the free throw line. He also notched five rebounds and three assists. Eric Paschall tallied 16 points, three boards and three dimes. Collin Gillespie added 13 points, three caroms and two steals.
Musketeers win third straight
Xavier earned a 70-69 victory Wednesday night at Seton Hall to improve to 14-13 overall and 6-8 in the Big East. The Musketeers led 46-38 at halftime before holding off a rally attempts by the Pirates after the break. Xavier shot 27-of-57 from the field, 7-of-19 from 3-point range and 9-of-16 at the free throw line. Naji Marshall paced the Musketeers with 28 points on 11-of-23 shooting including 5-of-12 from 3-point range plus 1-of-4 at the free throw line. He also accounted for six rebounds and five assists. Tyrique Jones contributed 18 points, five boards, two assists and two blocked shots. Zach Hankins added 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Villanova
The Wildcats are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Big East games. Villanova is 43-20 ATS in its last 63 games.
Xavier
The Musketeers are 1-5 ATS in their last six Sunday games. Xavier is 5-11-3 ATS in its last 19 home games.
Prediction:
The Wildcats won the meeting 85-75 last month on their home court, but the Musketeers are arguably playing the better basketball currently. With Xavier being the hosts, I think this one stays close throughout. The Musketeers are stronger on the offensive end, but the reason for the winning streak has been improved defense. If that continues today, I give it a strong chance at covering this spread against the struggling Wildcats.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: XAVIER MUSKETEERS +5