USC vs Villanova Prediction 4/3/25 College Basketball Picks Today
Villanova (20-14) vs. USC (17-17)
April 3, 2025 9:30 pm EDT
The Line: USC ; Over/Under:
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The Villanova Wildcats and USC Trojans meet Thursday in the college basketball Crown Second Round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Here’s a USC vs Villanova Prediction. This article will include a USC vs Villanova Pick.
Villanova Wildcats Betting Preview
The Villanova Wildcats recently played Butler, Georgetown, and Seton Hall, UCONN, and Colorado. Villanova has won five of its last seven games.
The Villanova Wildcats are averaging 73.4 points on 46.2 percent shooting and allowing 67.5 points on 43.1 percent shooting. Eric Dixon is averaging 23 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Wooga Poplar is averaging 14.7 points and 6.9 rebounds. Jordan Longino is the third double-digit scorer and Jhamir Brickus is dishing 4.8 assists. The Villanova Wildcats are shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent from the free throw line. The Villanova Wildcats are allowing 34.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.4 rebounds per game.
USC Trojans Betting Preview
The USC Trojans recently played UCLA, Rutgers, Purdue, and Tulane. USC looks to win two straight games for the first time since January 11-14.
The USC Trojans are averaging 76.9 points on 48.2 percent shooting and allowing 75.5 points on 46.1 percent shooting. Desmond Claude is averaging 16 points and 4.3 assists, while Wesley Yates III is averaging 14.1 points and 1.8 assists. Chibuzo Agbo is the third double-digit scorer and Terrance Williams II is grabbing 4.6 rebounds. The USC Trojans are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 74.6 percent from the free throw line. The USC Trojans are allowing 32.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.8 rebounds per game.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- USC has won each of its last four games against non-Conference opponents.
- USC has won the first half in each of its last four games against non-Conference opponents.
Why the Villanova Wildcats will win
- Villanova has won 24 of its last 26 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
- USC has lost four of its last five games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Villanova has won the first half in each of its last seven night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Villanova’s last 15 games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 150 or fewer points.
- Seven of USC’s last eight night games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 152+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- USC ranks 28th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (48.2%).
- USC ranks 44th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (58.7%).
- Villanova is the only team to ranks in the top-five for both three-point percentage and free throw percentage this season.
- Villanova ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage this season (39.8%).
USC vs Villanova Injury Report
USC doesn’t have a player listed on its injury report. Villanova will be without Nnanna Njoku, while Aleksandar Gavalyugov is questionable with an illness.
USC vs Villanova Prediction
USC hasn’t been able to string together success this season, and that includes not winning two straight games in months. USC is not great defensively, and it makes the Trojans hard to trust against good teams. Villanova has underachieved all year, but it’s won five of its last seven games and has shown improvement over the last month. Villanova should have a field day against a bad USC defense, and I don’t see who is going to slowdown Eric Dixon. I’ll roll with Villanova to advance in the Crown tournament.
