DePaul vs Villanova Odds, Pick
| DePaul Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+19.5 -115 | 136.5 -110o / -110u | +1100 |
| Villanova Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-19.5 -105 | 136.5 -110o / -110u | -2500 |
It's a Big East rematch on Friday as Villanova plays host to DePaul at Finneran Pavilion in Pennsylvania.
This is a bounce back spot for the Wildcats following last weekend's home loss to Rick Pitino's St. John's squad, and it couldn't come at a better time. DePaul is gasping for air, as it's currently winless through four games of Big East play and holds just a 3-12 record overall.
Villanova is one of four teams with just one loss in Big East play, and a win here will keep it tied for first place in the conference. It's been an up and down season for Kyle Neptune's group, as it won the Battle 4 Atlantis in November before losing three straight games to start December.
At their best, the Wildcats look like the best team in the Big East. At their worst, they can lose to anybody, even at home. The Wildcats are 5-2 at home with losses to Saint Joseph's and St. John's.
DePaul's three wins this season have come against South Dakota, Louisville and Chicago State. The Blue Demons are an astounding 0-8 vs. KenPom top-100 opponents. Tony Stubblefield's team doesn't have many answers on either side of the floor, and it looks overmatched against top quality teams in conference play.
These two teams met three weeks ago, when Villanova handled DePaul with ease to the tune of an 84-48 blowout. Will that be the game script again? Let's take a closer look.
DePaul Blue Demons
DePaul is one of the worst teams in college basketball at the high major level. That's it, that's the matchup.
In all seriousness, this is a team that's desperately searching for answers, and consistently not finding them. Eight of the Blue Demons' last nine losses have come by double digits. They're prone to getting blown out by the best teams on their schedule.
Profile-wise, they don't have many strengths. They're 252nd in Offensive Efficiency and 242nd in Defensive Efficiency. They don't shoot many 3s, and they're just okay at making them. If there's one positive, they assist many of their made shots, ranking 33rd in the country in assists per field goals made.
But that's a result of their offense lacking individual shot creators and needing teammates to create shots for each other as much as it is a sign of good ball movement.
Villanova Wildcats
Villanova appeared to have turned a corner in December, winning four consecutive games and starting Big East play off with three straight wins.
Then the Wildcats hosted St. John's, and they just couldn't make a shot from outside. The Wildcats shot just 21% from 3 in that loss, and they struggled mightily with the Johnnies' zone defense.
The shooting will have a great chance to get back on track in this one, as Nova shot 12-of-22 from 3 in its first win over DePaul.
This is just a good matchup for an angry Villanova team to bounce back.
Justin Moore has missed five straight games entering this one, and his status remains up in the air. He would be a boost if active, but he's not critical to a Villanova win — at least in this one.
DePaul vs. Villanova
Betting Pick & Prediction
It's impossible to side with DePaul here, given its disastrous performances against high-quality teams.
Expect Villanova to roll at home.
Pick: Villanova -18.5
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