The Butler Bulldogs take on the Villanova Wildcats in Villanova, PA. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET on FOX.
Villanova is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -278. The total is set at 145.5 points.
Here are my Butler vs. Villanova predictions and college basketball picks for March 1, 2025.
Butler vs Villanova Prediction
My Pick: Butler +6.5
My Butler vs Villanova best bet is on the Bulldogs spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, find the best lines using our live NCAAB odds page.
Butler vs Villanova Odds
| Butler Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 145.5 -105o / -115u | +225 |
| Villanova Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 145.5 -105o / -115u | -278 |
- Butler vs Villanova spread: Villanova -6.5
- Butler vs Villanova over/under: 145.5 points
- Butler vs Villanova moneyline: Villanova -278, Butler +225
- Butler vs Villanova best bet: Butler +6.5
Spread
I'm backing the Bulldogs to cover the spread.
Moneyline
I'm passing on the moneyline, but I wouldn't be surprised if Butler won outright.
Over/Under
I'm passing on the over/under.
My Pick: Butler +6.5
Butler vs Villanova College Basketball Betting Preview
Butler and Villanova have been playing much better in the second half of conference play, so I’m excited to watch this matchup.
I’m even more excited to watch this game because of the offensive matchup.
These two teams space the floor and shoot the rock with their wings.
Butler’s trio of Jahmyl Telfort, Pierre Brooks II and Patrick McCaffery can chuck it, and Finley Bizjack is a marksman off the bench.
Meanwhile, Villanova keeps playing its five-out offense. The Wildcats are an elite spacing and shooting team with Eric Dixon at the five, but don’t sleep on Wooga Poplar and Jhamir Brickus hitting shots from the backcourt and wings.
However, these defensive schemes are very different.
Villanova relentlessly underscreens, so the Wildcats allow a super high 3-point attempt rate (46%, 348th nationally, per KenPom).
Meanwhile, Butler plays more drop-coverage, and the Bulldogs are a borderline-elite catch-and-shoot denial squad — the Bulldogs' issue is that nobody can stay in front of the dribble, which Villanova won't exploit.
Therefore, the schematic matchup does point toward Butler, as the Bulldogs should get off their 3s with ease while stifling the Wildcats' perimeter-oriented offense at the point of attack.
So, why did Villanova win and cover the first matchup?
It’s because the Bulldogs had one of the wildest collapses of the year. They led 64-51 with five minutes left, but allowed the Wildcats to close the game on a 22-1 run.
The Bulldogs couldn’t hit a free throw down the stretch, finishing 12-for-23 (52%) from the charity stripe, while Dixon saved the day again (28 points on 10-for-20 shooting, including five made 3s).
Barring another late-game collapse, I expect the Bulldogs to win the rematch or at least cover the spread.
I also like the spot for Butler. The Bulldogs are due for a bounce-back win after a tough loss against the ever-dominant St. John’s Red Storm.
They could’ve won that game outright if they hadn’t shot 6-for-27 (22%) from 3 — ShotQuality graded it as a 10-point analytically expected win based on the “quality” of shots taken and allowed — so I’m hoping for some game-to-game positive shooting regression.
Meanwhile, Villanova is due for a letdown loss after back-to-back wins over Marquette and lowly Seton Hall. The Wildcats shot a combined 22-for-46 (48%) across the two wins, so they’re likely in for some game-to-game regression.
Not to mention, this is a revenge spot after losing that first matchup catastrophically. And I'm not worried that Butler has to play this game at Finneran Pavilion, considering the Bulldogs are 7-3-1 ATS on the road and rank in the top 30 nationally in Haslametrics' away-from-home metric.
Give me Butler to cover the number.
