Butler vs Villanova 3/5/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The 11^th ranked Villanova Wildcats will travel to Hinkle Fieldhouse to take on the Butler Bulldogs this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The 11^th ranked Villanova Wildcats improved to 22-7 on the season after defeating the 9^th ranked Providence Friars, 76-74, this past Tuesday. Villanova led by a 40-26 margin at halftime and was able to hold on late after taking a 69-63 lead with 1:26 left in regulation. Villanova shot 40.4% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Providence to shoot 44.6% from the field & 46.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Wildcats was Caleb Daniels who had 20 points, 2 rebounds, & 1 assist.

On the season, Villanova is averaging 73.7 ppg on 44.2% shooting from the field. The Wildcats are averaging 9.3 three-pointers per game on 36.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Villanova has been led by Collin Gillespie (16.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.1 spg), Justin Moore (15.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 spg), Jermaine Samuels (10.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.5 apg), & Caleb Daniel (10.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg).

Defensively, Villanova is holding their opponents to an average of 63.8 ppg on 41.2% shooting from the field. The Wildcats have a rebound margin of 2.7 and a turnover margin of 2.5.

The Butler Bulldogs lost their 4^th straight game and dropped to 13-17 on the season after being defeated by the Marquette Golden Eagles, 64-56, this past Saturday. Butler struggled on the offensive end against Marquette and could not fight back after the Golden Eagles took a 57-51 lead with 4:55 left in regulation. Butler shot 38.2% from the field & 17.4% from beyond the arc while allowing Marquette to shoot 41.1% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Bryce Nze who had a double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists & 1 steal.

On the season, Butler is averaging 63.3 ppg on 41.9% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs are averaging 7.1 three-pointers per game on 31.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Butler has been led by Chuck Harris (10.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.6 apg), Bo Hodges (10.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.2 apg), Bryce Golden (9.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Jayden Taylor (8.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.2 apg), & Bryce Nze (8.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.2 apg).

Defensively, Butler is holding their opponents to an average of 66.1 ppg on 43.2% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs have a rebound margin of -1.1 and a turnover margin of -0.7.

The Wildcats are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. Butler, however, are just 2-4 ATS in their last 6 March games. The Bulldogs are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games, however, are just 5-9 ATS in their last 14 home games.

Butler has played better as of late, which included a competitive 71-70 (OT) loss at home vs. Providence, however, this is a team that has really struggled on the offensive end of the court, ranking just 329^th in scoring offense & 280^th in FG%, and lost at Villanova by an 82-42 margin in mid-January. Villanova has won 6 of their last 7 games and as I think their defense, which ranks 36^th in scoring defense & 63^rd in defensive FG%, gives the Butler offense trouble again, I think Villanova wins this one by 15+ and covers this double-digit road spread. Good Luck!