Villanova (8-5) vs. Butler (7-6)
January 1, 2025 6:30 pm EDT
The Line: Butler +2; Over/Under: -
(Get latest betting odds)
The Villanova Wildcats and the Butler Bulldogs meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Hinkle Fieldhouse Here’s a Butler vs Villanova prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Butler vs Villanova pick.
Villanova Wildcats Betting Preview
The Wildcats took a spotty 3-4 record over their first seven games, losing to Columbia, Saint Joseph’s, Virginia, and Maryland. The wins otherwise were versus Lafayette, NJIT, and Pennsylvania. Villanova is 5-1 since then with wins over Rider, Cincinnati, Temple, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Seton Hall before a loss to Creighton.
In the matchup with the Bluejays on December 21, the Wildcats held a 40-38 deficit by halftime. Villanova was outscored by five points the rest of the way in an 86-79 loss. Eric Dixon posted 27 points with two rebounds to lead the way. Turning in a double-double on 19 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists was Wooga Poplar. Jhamir Brickus also finished in double-figures with 16 options and four assists. The Wildcats didn’t get much out of their bench, though. That group contributed only six points—four of which came from Kris Parker.
Dixon is the lead scorer on the team so far this year. He’s sporting 25.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Poplar is in second but well behind that pace on 13.2 points per game, but his 6.6 rebounds per game are tops on the team. Also in double-figures is Brickus with 11.5 points per game to go along with his 5.6 assists per game.
Butler Bulldogs Betting Preview
Over on the Butler side, they were looking great after eight games on a 7-1 record with a lone loss to Austin Peay 68-66. The wins otherwise were versus Missouri State, Western Michigan, SMU, Merrimack, Northwestern, Mississippi State, and Eastern Illinois. Since then, the Bulldogs have lost their last five straight to Houston, North Dakota State, Wisconsin, Marquette, and UConn, though. A loss here would put Butler back at .500 on the season so far.
In the UConn game, the Bulldogs were looking at a 42-33 deficit by halftime. Butler climbed back with a 41-36 second but still fell 78-74. Both Andre Screen (10 rebounds) and Patrick McCaffery (two rebounds) led the way with 17 points each. Pierre Brooks added 13 points and six rebounds. Coming off the bench with nine points and eight rebounds was Kolby King.
Jahmyl Telfort scored just seven points in the Bulldogs’ last game (with six boards and seven assists) but he still holds the No. 1 spot in scoring with 15.5 points per game. Brooks is second with 15.0 points per game to go along with his 4.6 rebounds per game. McCaffery is also in double-digits on 13.2 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game. King is pretty far back of that trio on his 7.3 points per game but he’s also second on the team with 5.1 rebounds per game this season.
Why the Butler Bulldogs will win
- The home team has won 10 of the last 11 games between Villanova and Butler.
- Villanova has lost five of its last six games at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
- Butler has won the first half in six of its last seven night games.
Why the Villanova Wildcats will win
- Villanova has won each of its last six night games.
- Butler has lost each of its last five games.
- Villanova has won the first half in each of its last six night games.
Butler vs Villanova Prediction
I’ll stay with Butler. The Bulldogs have had a pretty rough time during this current losing streak, but to be fair they’ve played some tough teams in that stretch—four of them being ranked. One of those was UConn, and Butler managed a decent showing in a four-point loss there. The Bulldogs have posted 70 or more points in each of the last three outings, losing two by single-digits (Wisconsin and UConn) and one by 10 points (Marquette).
As for Villanova, they couldn’t quite keep pace with Creighton in their last game despite shooting 50 percent from the field and only notching one turnover. The Wildcats have scored 79 or more points in four straight games now, so this one should be a pretty high total. Butler is going to have to hit the gas offensively but I think the Bulldogs can keep a cover/win pace. It’ll be a fun matchup regardless.
