The Connecticut Huskies take on the Villanova Wildcats in Bryn Mawr, PA. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
Villanova is favored by 1 point on the spread with a moneyline of -120. The total is set at 144.5 points.
Here are my UConn vs. Villanova predictions and college basketball picks for January 8, 2025.
UConn vs Villanova Prediction
My Pick: Villanova ML +102 (Play to -110)
My UConn vs Villanova best bet is on the Wildcats moneyline, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
UConn vs Villanova Odds, Spread, Pick
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 144.5 -110 / -110 | +100 |
| Villanova Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 144.5 -110 / -110 | -120 |
- UConn vs Villanova spread: Villanova -1
- UConn vs Villanova over/under: 146.5 points
- UConn vs Villanova moneyline: Villanova -120, UConn +100
- UConn vs Villanova best bet: Villanova ML +102 (Play to -110)
My UConn vs Villanova College Basketball Betting Preview
Both UConn and Villanova have already dealt with ups and downs this season.
The Huskies finished in last place in the Maui Invitational before ripping off eight straight wins, while the Wildcats started the season just 3-4 before winning seven of eight.
UConn has figured out some semblance of role allocation over the last month and a half, with Alex Karaban, Solo Ball, Hassan Diarra, Tarris Reed Jr. and others finally finding their rhythm together.
The Huskies are currently dealing with the loss of second-leading scorer Liam McNeeley, though. The freshman has a high-ankle sprain and is currently out weeks, not days.
In the Huskies' first game without McNeeley, they struggled at home against Providence (trailing by as many as 14 points) before pulling out a three-point win as a 14.5-point favorite.
I have concerns long-term about UConn's roster, as Karaban isn't a natural first option and Aidan Mahaney hasn't lived up to expectations since coming over from Saint Mary's. Add on that Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross have been inconsistent, and the Huskies don't seem to have the upside that their last two title teams had.
Meanwhile, Kyle Neptune is on thin ice on the Main Lane. Villanova has looked downright embarrassing at times over the last couple of seasons, including losses to Columbia, Saint Joe's (x2), Drexel and Penn.
I have trouble counting on Neptune and company in big games, especially against heavyweights against UConn. However, Villanova has a couple of slight advantages on the offensive end that could tip the game in its favor.
The Wildcats are elite from the free throw line (79%, 15th nationally) and rely heavily on 3-pointers. On the flip side, the Huskies' weakness defensively is how much they foul (35th-worst in defensive free throw attempt rate), and they want opposing teams to take shots on the interior, not from deep.
Also, the Wildcats have a star senior in Eric Dixon, who leads the country in scoring (25.9 PPG) and hasn't dropped below 25 points since the end of November. This is the type of game that could help turn the vibe of the Villanova program around, so if Neptune won't have his team ready, I'd imagine Dixon will.
Give me the Wildcats to win straight up.
