Villanova vs Xavier Predictions, College Basketball Picks Against The Spread 2/22/2020

Game: Villanova Wildcats vs Xavier Musketeers

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2020

Location: Cintas Center in Cincinnati, OH

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Xavier +1

Total/Over-Under: 136

The Villanova Wildcats travel to Cintas Center to play the Xavier Musketeers on Saturday, February 22, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Villanova as 1 point favorites.

Villanova heads into this matchup with a mark of 20-6. They currently have a point differential of 7.4 as they are averaging 74.3 points per contest while giving up 66.9 per game. Xavier has an overall record of 17-9. They are averaging 71.2 points per game and surrendering 67.1, good for a point differential of 4.0.

Valuable Villanova Wildcats Betting Trends

The Villanova Wildcats are 11-12-3 against the spread

The Villanova Wildcats are 11-15-0 against the over/under

Important Xavier Musketeers Betting Trends

The Xavier Musketeers are 10-14-2 against the spread

The Xavier Musketeers are 10-15-1 against the over/under

Key Villanova Wildcats Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Xavier Musketeers Injuries

02/07/20 F Dieonte Miles Knee is out indefinitely
01/09/20 G Dahmir Bishop Left Team is out for season

Player Spotlight

Collin Gillespie comes into this contest averaging 16.2 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 82%. Saddiq Bey averages 15.6 points per game in 33.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.6 assists per contest and 5.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Naji Marshall averages 16.1 points per game while playing 35.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.1 rebounds per game and has 3.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 69%. Tyrique Jones averages 13.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.2 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is 59%.

Useful Team Statistics

Villanova averages 74.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 97th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 7.4 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 142nd. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 32nd in the nation. They average 36.0 rebounds per game and 14.9 assists per game, which ranks them 138th and 45th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 334th with 10.8 per game. The Wildcats allow 66.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 109th in the country. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 223rd and 111th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.3 rebounds a game which ranks 138th and they give up 12.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 134th place in Division 1. They force 11.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 44th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Xavier is 178th in the country with 71.2 points per game this year. They are 195th in Division 1 in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is 4.0. They shoot 31% from 3-point range, which is good for 298th in the nation. They are 19th in the NCAA in rebounding with 40.0 boards per game, and 70th in assists per contest with 14.5. The Musketeers are 132nd in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Musketeers surrender 67.1 points per contest, which ranks them 116th in D-1. Their defense allows a 40% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 38th and 30th in those defensive statistics. They rank 126th with 11.9 assists allowed per contest and 204th with 35.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Musketeers are 123rd in country in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Wildcats are 36th in the nation in offensive rating with 109.3. In terms of pace they are 263rd in the country with 67.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 59th. As a team they are 52nd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 46% of their shots, ranking 23rd in Division 1. Villanova is 332nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Xavier is 166th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.6 times per 100 possessions. The Musketeers have an offensive rating of 100.3, which is ranked 199th. They are 188th in D-1 in pace with 69.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 241st. As a unit they are 266th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 243rd in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Xavier +1

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