6:32 pm
January 12

#14 Villanova @ #17 Xavier

Who will WIN this matchup?

#14 Villanova Wildcats (11-4)

@ #17 Xavier Musketeers (12-2)

 

Current odds:

Villanova Wildcats: (+105)

Xavier Musketeers: (-125)

 

• The line for this game is Xavier by 1 point.

• Villanova dropped consecutive games to Baylor and Creighton by 20 or more points in mid-December for the first time in head coach Jay Wright’s 21 seasons. But the Wildcats didn’t wilt. They haven’t lost since. No. 14 Villanova (11-4, 4-1 Big East) will look to extend its winning streak to five in a row when it visits No. 17 Xavier Wednesday in Cincinnati.

• The Wildcats overcame a slow start and earned a 79-64 victory over DePaul in Chicago Saturday. Collin Gillespie scored a season-best 28 points and Villanova limited the Blue Demons to 25 percent shooting in the second half. Gillespie, a National Player of the Year candidate, came within two points of tying his career high. He also had four assists and four rebounds while providing the leadership necessary to win a road game in the rugged Big East.

• Villanova defeated Xavier 71-58 on Dec. 21 as it rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit. Wright holds a 15-4 career record against the Musketeers.

• The Wildcats have dominated this series with an all-time advantage of 29-6. Xavier’s last win came on Feb. 24, 2019.

• Xavier (12-2, 2-1) will aim to continue its home dominance when it hosts Villanova. The Musketeers have won all nine home games this season.

• Last Friday, Xavier traveled to Indianapolis and dismantled Butler 87-72 behind 25 points from Adam Kunkel, one shy of his career high. Paul Scruggs added 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Kunkel scored 18 points in the second half, including eight straight in one spurt to help to seal the victory. Kunkel’s all-around performance had head coach Travis Steele beaming. The resounding victory was mildly surprising considering that Xavier had 17 days off in a COVID pause.

• Xavier committed only six turnovers, which helped key the win. Repeating the feat against Villanova’s suffocating defense will be much more daunting. In the first meeting, the Musketeers scuffled while handling the ball in the second half, which led to the loss.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
#14 Villanova Wildcats
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