Villanova Wildcats vs
Xavier MusketeersPredictions & Preview

Xavier Musketeers Favored Over Villanova Wildcats in NCAAB Showdown

In this NCAAB matchup, two competitive teams, Villanova and Xavier, will face off in Ohio. Villanova is coming off a loss to St. John's, while Xavier secured a win against DePaul in their previous games. The Wildcats hold the historical advantage in the series, but the Musketeers pulled off a recent road win. Xavier opens as the betting favorite with a -3 point spread that has not changed.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Wildcats +132 | Musketeers -158
• Spread: Wildcats +3 (-110) | Musketeers -3 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 148.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Xavier will win straight-up is 61%.

Villanova vs Xavier Stats

Villanova Wildcats

Villanova suffered a loss on the road to St. John's, ending their three-game win streak. Despite leading at various points in the game, the Wildcats struggled to maintain their lead and ultimately fell short. While they have shown strength offensively, averaging 78.6 points per game, their defensive performance has also been solid, holding opponents to an average of 67.6 points. Key players like Wooga Poplar and Eric Dixon have been standout performers for the team. Villanova's shooting percentages rank highly in the nation, showcasing their efficiency on the court. Overall, Villanova has a season record of 11-6 and is looking to bounce back from this recent loss.

Xavier Musketeers Analysis

Xavier Musketeers recently secured a victory against DePaul, improving their overall record to 10-7. They are currently 2-4 in the Big East conference. In their latest game, the Musketeers displayed strong offensive performance, shooting 48.1% from the floor and controlling the boards with a 36-29 margin. Zach Freemantle led the team with 20 points and 10 boards. The team averages 78.9 points per game and excels in three-point shooting, hitting 39.2% from beyond the arc. Defensively, they allow 69.8 points per game and are ranked 132nd in scoring defense. Freemantle averages 17.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Xavier's offensive power ranking is 92, while their defensive ranking is 150. They have a strong free throw percentage of 79%, ranking 13th in Division I. Their next matchup will be against Villanova, a team they have a 1-2 record against in their last three meetings.

Xavier Shows Resilience and Strength Ahead of Matchup Against Villanova

Both teams have displayed strong offensive and defensive capabilities this season. Despite Xavier's recent struggles, their challenging schedule against formidable opponents shows their resilience and ability to compete at a high level. Villanova, while successful against certain opponents, has shown vulnerabilities on the road. Until they demonstrate consistency in away games, it is prudent to approach their performance with caution. Considering these factors, Xavier appears to be the more favorable choice in the upcoming matchup.

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