The Villanova Wildcats (2-1) take on the Saint Joseph's Hawks (1-1) in Philadelphia, PA. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Villanova is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -148. The total is set at 143.5.
Here’s my Villanova vs Saint Joseph's predictions and college basketball picks for November 12, 2024.
Villanova vs Saint Joseph's Odds, Lines
| Villanova Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
| Saint Joe's Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
- Villanova vs Saint Joe's spread: Villanova -2.5
- Villanova vs Saint Joe's over/under: 143.5 points
- Villanova vs Saint Joe's moneyline: Villanova -135, Saint Joe's +115
- Villanova vs Saint Joe's best bet: Villanova -2
Villanova vs Saint Joseph's College Basketball Betting Preview
The vibes aren't great for either of these programs right now, but you could say it's desperation time for Kyle Neptune and Villanova.
Since taking over for Jay Wright, Neptune has zero NCAA Tournament appearances and zero 20-win seasons. Villanova lost three games in the Big 5 Classic last year (Drexel, Saint Joe's and Penn) and already gave up 90 points to Columbia in a loss this season.
Patience is running thin on the Main Line.
Meanwhile, Saint Joe's is coming off a quality 21-win campaign and has arguably the best backcourt in the Atlantic 10. However, it struggled to beat Navy and lost to Central Connecticut State in its first two games this season.
So, where does that leave us for this all-Philadelphia matchup?
Well, the Wildcats will have the best player on the floor in Eric Dixon. While Villanova has struggled as a team, Dixon is averaging a ridiculous 27.5 points on 71% shooting across two games. He's also grabbing eight rebounds per game.
The Hawks allowed a combined 70 points in the paint to Navy and CCSU, and the Midshipmen grabbed 14 offensive rebounds. That doesn't bode well for the Hawks when it comes to defending Dixon, an elite veteran big who is better at finding angles and holes in a defense than your average player.
Saint Joe's could have an advantage in the backcourt, but it hasn't shown much depth beyond that, and Erik Reynolds II (one of the preseason favorites to be the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year) is coming off an 2-of-14 shooting game.
Rutgers transfer Derek Simpson has also struggled to find his rhythm offensively next to Reynolds and Xzayvier Brown. Simpson has just 16 points and seven turnovers in two games.
I don't exactly trust either of these teams right now; however, Villanova needs this game badly. I'll count on Dixon and the Wooga Poplar/Jhamir Brickus backcourt duo to take care of the rock, and Neptune and Billy Lange may essentially cancel each other out in the coaching department.
Pick: Villanova -2
