Betsided

DePaul vs. Villanova Prediction and Odds (Villanova will be too much for DePaul)

By Jon Helmkamp

Jan 22, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Justin Moore (5) dribbles.
Jan 22, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Justin Moore (5) dribbles. / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

No. 14 Villanova has a date with DePaul tonight, and DePaul is probably hoping that they get stood up instead. After getting upset by Marquette last Wednesday, Villanova will look to solidify their standing as one of the top teams in the country by stringing together some wins.

Let’s start with the odds via WynnBET.

DePaul vs. Villanova Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • DePaul +17.5 (-110)
  • Villanova -17.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • N/A

Total:

  • 134.5 (Over -105 | Under -115)

DePaul vs. Villanova Prediction and Pick

Have you ever been on a blind date? Maybe it was a friend or a coworker that’s like “hey, I know this terrific guy/girl. They’re cute, funny, really nice… you’ll love them. Why don’t you let me set you up with them?” After plenty of pushback, you reluctantly cave and agree to meet said person for a drink. 

Sitting at the bar, you borderline hope they never show up so you can be spared the embarrassment. DePaul has to kinda be feeling like that this morning. Villanova has also only lost at home once all year,

Villanova has won seven of their last 10. DePaul has won three. Nova has the sixth-best adjusted offensive efficiency, 18th-best defensive efficiency, and they hold their opponents to the 18th-fewest points per game at only 60.9. They can suck the air out of a stadium with the fifth-slowest pace in the country, while still managing to beat you with the 22nd-highest scoring margin in college basketball. Oh, and they’re the best free throw-shooting team in the country at 82.4%.

Going against a slow team that’s incredibly efficient is a brutal task for anyone. DePaul doesn’t have the scoring prowess to hang with Villanova, especially without their leading scorer Javon Freeman-Liberty, who was ruled out for this game. They’ll sorely miss his 21.1 points per game.

Villanova should be able to put a stranglehold on this game in the second half, and even with a wide spread of 17.5, I’m backing Villanova at home to cover.

Pick: Villanova -17.5 (-110)