The Villanova Wildcats take on the UConn Huskies in Hartford, CT. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
UConn is favored by 8.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -345. The total is set at 139.5 points.
Here’s my Villanova vs. UConn predictions and college basketball picks for February 18, 2025.
Villanova vs UConn Prediction
My Pick: UConn -9 or Better
My Villanova vs UConn best bet is on the Huskies spread, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Villanova vs UConn Odds, Lines
| Villanova Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9 -110 | 138.5 -110 / -110 | +350 |
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9 -110 | 138.5 -110 / -110 | -450 |
- Villanova vs UConn spread: UConn -9
- Villanova vs UConn over/under: 138.5 points
- Villanova vs UConn moneyline: UConn -450, Villanova +350
- Villanova vs UConn best bet: UConn -9 or Better
My Villanova vs UConn NCAAB Betting Preview
This game comes at an absolutely fascinating time for both teams.
Last week, both picked up massive wins. UConn stole a road win at Creighton, while Villanova knocked off red-hot St. John's.
Both then followed up the big win with a dud on Saturday. The Huskies lost to Seton Hall, which had been just 1-12 in Big East play prior to the game, while Villanova got routed at Providence, trailing by as many as 22 points in the second half.
Each team enters riding a roller coaster of emotions, with eyes on a top-five finish in the Big East to secure a bye at Madison Square Garden.
Add in Villanova's win in the first meeting this season, and there should be plenty of juice for this Tuesday night tilt.
Villanova Basketball
Kyle Neptune is in his third season after taking over for Jay Wright. In his first two years, the Wildcats failed to make the Big Dance.
As March approaches, that appears likely again.
Hope is not entirely lost, though. Bart Torvik's T-Ranketology has Nova as the ninth team out of the field right now, with a 6.5% chance of earning an at-large bid.
Using his handy tools, a win here at UConn increases those numbers to the fourth team out and a 26% chance at a bid. A home game against Marquette and the Big East Tournament offers more chances for Villanova to build a resume, too.
That's still an uphill climb thanks to some ugly losses early in the season. Villanova started 3-4, with defeats to Columbia, Saint Joe's and Virginia, teams with little postseason hope. Conference losses to Georgetown and Providence squads also look bad on the Cats' resume.
This is a team with the nation's leading scorer, Eric Dixon. The Wildcats shoot the 3-ball at a top-five percentage nationally and boast a top-20 offense.
The issues come at the other end of the floor and in late-game situations. Villanova's defense ranks 143rd nationally, allowing far too many easy looks.
As for the late-game situations, that's been an issue throughout Neptune's tenure. The Cats are 12-19 in games decided by five points or fewer, or in overtime, with Neptune at the helm.
UConn Basketball
Somehow, UConn has made as many or more headlines this season than in the two prior seasons, in which the Huskies were crowned as national champions.
It started back in the fall, when UConn went winless in Maui, which Dan Hurley turned into an indictment of that style of tournament. Then the Huskies notched wins over Texas and Gonzaga before starting Big East play 4-0.
Freshman phenom Liam McNeeley was sidelined with a high ankle sprain and he was sorely missed, as UConn dropped three of the seven games he missed.
During that span, Hurley found the spotlight again, with eagle eyed viewers catching him telling a referee, "I'm the best (expletive) coach in the sport."
The Big East schedule was turned up a notch, giving UConn a brutal stretch. The Huskies beat up Marquette, even without McNeeley, before dropping a game to St. John's.
McNeeley then went nuclear in a road win at Creighton, where Hurley once again was caught by cameras, this time bragging about his championships to a follically-challenged Bluejays fan (an odd insult given the state of Hurley's own hairline, if you ask me).
"TWO RINGS BALDY!"
Dan Hurley is an absolute menace hahaha
And not for nothing, I get why people say clapping back at fans isn't the best look, but when 18,000 drunk fans are chanting "F— Dan Hurley" for hours, I think a PG clap back is justified. pic.twitter.com/8E9ywSsmK6
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) February 12, 2025
A road trip to Seton Hall was supposed to be a respite, but UConn blundered away a win after leading by five points with just 18 seconds on the clock.
This team should be too talented and well coached to have eight losses in mid-February. Plagued by a foul-happy defense and in search of offensive creation beyond McNeeley, UConn looks far less invincible than it did during its two title runs.
Villanova vs. UConn Betting Analysis
Stare at this game long enough and all signs point to UConn. The Huskies should bounce back after a brutal loss on Saturday, plus Hurley offers a major leg up over Neptune and revenge factors in after losing at Villanova.
Husky fans have also been clamoring for some shooting regression all season and this game could offer a prime time for it to kick in.
In UConn's last three games, it's made just 27% from long range. Alex Karaban is an elite shooter, but he's hit just six of his last 44 from deep, good for 14% over an eight-game stretch.
Villanova, meanwhile, has shot beyond its ability all year. Jhamir Brickus hit 37% in four years at La Salle, yet has hit 47% this season for Villanova. Wooga Poplar is shooting far better than he did at Miami, and Dixon's volume and percentage are wildly up from last season.
Saturday's 5-of-19 outing at Providence was a cold night, but the Wildcats are still 43% over their last four outings.
The lucky shooting night UConn fans have been waiting for could pop up Tuesday.
