Xavier vs Villanova Betting Odds and Pick - February 24, 2016

Xavier has only been a part of the Big East since 2013, but they have still yet to figure out Villanova. The past three years have seen the Musketeers and Wildcats faceoff six times, with Villanova going a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS in that span.

Shark Bites

Xavier is 15-6 ATS in their past 21 games as favorites.
Villanova is 3-7 ATS in their past 10 games within the Big East.
Xavier is 10-0 SU in their past 10 games coming off three days rest.

Xavier will be out for revenge after they were decimated 95-64 in their meeting against Villanova earlier this season. The Musketeers were held to just 39.2 percent shooting while allowing the Wildcats to hit 62.2 percent of their shots. Villanova’s starting five combined for 77 points as each of them scored double-digits points in that game.

Villanova enters Wednesday’s massive tilt on a seven-game winning streak, a span that has seen them dismantle all comers by an average of 16.4 points per game. Kris Jenkins has become a consistent scoring threat through those seven games with the junior tallying 14 points per game and hitting double-digits scoring in six of those affairs.

Freshman point guard Edmond Sumner, who got injured early in the first outing between these two teams, has become an excellent facilitator of the Xavier offense recently. Sumner has averaged 15 points while shooting 70 percent during Xavier’s current three-game winning streak.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

If you were backing the Villanova Wildcats in this one, their betting line was listed as 1.5-point underdogs earlier in the day at Sportsbook.

Villanova Wildcats vs Xavier Musketeers Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Villanova Wildcats will look to cover the spread vs the Xavier Musketeers on Wednesday, as the Wildcats are 14-12 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Musketeers are 17-10 ATS. Villanova is 12-14 against the total, while Xavier is 16-10-1 versus the total betting line.

The Xavier Musketeers sit at No. 57 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Villanova Wildcats sit at No. 19 on the same chart.

Statistical Matchup

Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Xavier has the nation's No. 29-rated offensive output, at 80.04 PPG. The visiting Villanova Wildcats defense ranks No. 8 allowing on average 61.48 PPG. The Musketeers FG% has averaged 45.27% so far, less than the Xavier Wildcats marksmen have achieved on the year, 46.17% per game.