Xavier at Villanova NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 3/15/2019

Friday, March 15, 2019

Madison Square Garden

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Xavier Musketeers travel to Madison Square Garden to play the Villanova Wildcats on Friday, March 15, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Villanova as 7.5 point favorites.

Xavier comes into this game with an overall record of 17-14. They currently have a point differential of 1.4 as they are averaging 72.3 points per game while giving up 70.9 per contest. Villanova has an overall record of 22-9. They are averaging 74.6 points per game and surrendering 67.1, good for a point differential of 7.5.

Valuable Xavier Musketeers Betting Trends

The Xavier Musketeers are 14-17-1 against the spread

The Xavier Musketeers are 13-18-0 against the over/under

Important Villanova Wildcats Betting Trends

The Villanova Wildcats are 20-12-0 against the spread

The Villanova Wildcats are 11-19-1 against the over/under

Key Xavier Musketeers Injuries

03/13/19 F Naji Marshall Ankle is upgraded to probable Thursday vs Creighton
03/05/19 G Keonte Kennedy Personal is out for season

Key Villanova Wildcats Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Naji Marshall comes into this contest averaging 14.9 points per game while playing 35.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 72%. Paul Scruggs averages 12.2 points per game in 32.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 4.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Phil Booth averages 18.6 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 3.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Eric Paschall averages 16.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.1 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Xavier averages 72.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 182nd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 1.4 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 50th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 203rd in the nation. They average 36.1 rebounds per game and 14.6 assists per game, which ranks them 137th and 80th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 113th with 13.6 per game. The Musketeers allow 70.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 172nd in the country. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 165th and 250th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.9 rebounds a game which ranks 43rd and they give up 14.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 281st place in Division 1. They force 11.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Villanova is 120th in the country with 74.6 points per game this year. They are 178th in Division 1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 7.5. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 119th in the nation. They are 192nd in the NCAA in rebounding with 35.2 boards per game, and 110th in assists per contest with 14.2. The Wildcats are 314th in turnovers per game with 11.1. The Wildcats surrender 67.1 points per contest, which ranks them 62nd in D-1. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 166th and 191st in those defensive statistics. They rank 220th with 13.5 assists allowed per contest and 68th with 32.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wildcats are 71st in country in forcing turnovers with 11.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Musketeers are 107th in the nation in offensive rating with 107. In terms of pace they are 285th in the country with 67.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 73rd. As a team they are 90th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 190th in Division 1. Xavier is 74th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Villanova is 298th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions. The Wildcats have an offensive rating of 113.2, which is ranked 16th. They are 332nd in D-1 in pace with 65.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 57th. As a unit they are 51st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 54% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the country.

Who will win tonight's Xavier/Villanova college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Villanova -7.5

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