The Villanova Wildcats (13-13, 7-8 Big East) battle the No. 21 Providence Friars (19-7, 11-4) Saturday. Tip from Amica Mutual Pavilion is set for 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Villanova vs. Providence odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Wildcats lost to the Friars 70-65 on Jan. 29, failing to cover as a 1-point neutral-court underdog. The game was played at Wells Fargo Center, the home of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Villanova is coming off a 62-50 home win over Butler Tuesday, covering as a 9.5-point favorite. The Wildcats are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) over their last 4 games but are just 10-16 ATS on the season. Villanova is the nation’s best free-throw shooting team, shooting 82% from the line.
The Friars enter off a 94-86 home win over Creighton Tuesday, covering as 1-point home underdogs. They are 5-2 ATS over their last 7 games, improving to 16-10 ATS on the season. Providence ranks 36th in the nation with 78.6 points per game.
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Villanova at Providence odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:44 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Villanova +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Providence -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Villanova +3.5 (-110) | Providence -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Villanova at Providence picks and predictions
Prediction
Providence 71, Villanova 63
Moneyline
AVOID.
There’s no value in betting on the home side straight up, but ‘Nova has also lost 4 of its last 5 on the road. Play the spread for value.
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Against the spread
LEAN PROVIDENCE -3.5 (-110).
The Wildcats have struggled on the road as of late and are 1-4 straight up in their last 5 road games, posting a 2-3 ATS record in that span. While they have won 3 games in a row, they’ve all been at home. Providence is 3-1 ATS in its last 4 home games and is 5-2 in its last 7 games.
Providence is also a Big East-best 11-4 ATS in conference games while Nova is 7-8 ATS. Considering its strength at home and in league play, back PROVIDENCE -3.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 137.5 (-110).
Villanova is 1-5 O/U in its last 6 games, and its strength is defense. The Wildcats allow 67.2 points per game (108th) and score just 69.4 points per game (234th) which combines to make for favorable conditions for the Under. Providence is 2-5 O/U in its last 7 outs and its typically-dynamic offense hasn’t been as high tempo as of late.
These teams are a combined 11-19 O/U in conference play as well. Back the UNDER 137.5 (-110).
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