Villanova has already clinched at least a tie of the Big East regular season crown and the Wildcats will lock in sole possession if they defeat Butler on Wednesday. The Wildcats have traditionally done away with the Bulldogs, as ’Nova has won seven of the past eight meetings. However, bettors should be wary, as Villanova is 2-7 ATS in its past nine games as favorites.
It has been a very long time since Villanova has lost at the Pavilion. The Wildcats have won their past 48 home games, a program record, with their last loss at Villanova coming on February 3, 2013. Though Josh Hart gets plenty of the attention, it has been Jalen Brunson who has been Villanova’s best player recently. The sophomore has averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 58.6 percent the past three games.
Butler is coming off back-to-back wins, something that has been rare lately, but those victories came against Big East bottom-feeders St. John’s and DePaul. Butler did dominate those games, with an average scoring margin of plus-18 points. Defense will be critical to Butler pulling off the season sweep of Villanova, as the Bulldogs held the Wildcats to a season-low 58 points in their first outing.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Villanova Wildcats to cover the point spread in this one found them as -9.5-point favorites earlier in the day. Watch for line moves and updates at Sportsbook before gametime.
Butler Bulldogs vs Villanova Wildcats Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Butler Bulldogs will try to spoil to the party and cover the point spread on Wednesday; they are 16-11 ATS against the betting line this season, while the Villanova Wildcats are 15-13 ATS. Butler Bulldogs are 12-14-1 on betting the total; Villanova Wildcats are 10-18.
This college basketball game matches up the No. 19 (Villanova) and the No. 66 (Butler) teams in the league, according to our current NCAA basketball power rankings.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring and defensive stats point to some betting edges in this matchup. The game features Villanova's No. 69-ranked scoring average of 77.79 PPG, against a Butler Bulldogs defense rated No. 61 and allowing 68.26 PPG. The Villanova Wildcats FG% has averaged 49.8% to date this season, more than the Butler Bulldogs shooters have managed so far (47.77% per game).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Butler earned a 82-66 victory over DePaul on Sunday, getting 15 points from Nate Fowler at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The battle between the Wildcats and Pirates didnt turn out to be much of a battle at all as Seton Hall was handed a 92-70 defeat on Saturday at Prudential Center.
Next Betting Matchups
Butler at Xavier, Sunday, February 26th
Villanova at Creighton, Saturday, February 25th