Cincinnati Bearcats vs Villanova Wildcats NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/3/24
Betting on today’s Bearcats and Wildcats game? Catch the action at Finneran Pavilion in Villanova, PA, as the Wildcats hosts this showdown at 6:30 ET on FS1. Cincinnati is the -3.5 point favorites in this non-conference matchup against Villanova. The over/under for the game is set at 138.5 points.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS VS VILLANOVA WILDCATS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Villanova Wildcats +3.5
This game will be played at Finneran Pavilion at 6:30 ET on Tuesday, December 3rd.
WHY BET THE VILLANOVA WILDCATS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-70 in favor of the Wildcats.
- Not only will Villanova pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +3.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 138.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 145 points.
Can the Bearcats Pull Out the Win as Road Favorites?
Cincinnati Bearcats Recent Game/Games
The Bearcats improved to 4-4 on the season with a 77-59 win over Alabama State on Wednesday. Playing at home, Cincinnati was a -29 favorite going into the game.
After leading 46-33 at halftime, the Bearcats scored 31 points in the 2nd half while holding the Hornets to 26. The Bearcats didn’t cover the spread, and the total points of 136 fell short of the O/U line of 145.
The Bearcats put up 77 points in their last game, shooting 44.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 52.2%. They connected on 55.3% of their two-point attempts, while hitting 32.3% from beyond the arc, making 10 of 31 three-point tries. Their free-throw shooting was a struggle, as they hit just 5 of 12 attempts, good for 41.7%.
Amarr Knox led the way with 24 points, shooting 9 of 20 from the field, though he was just 2 of 7 from three-point range. Simas Lukosius added 16 points, hitting 4 of 10 from deep, and Jizzle James contributed 13 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 5 of 9 overall and 2 of 5 from three. Jalen Keago was efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 3 of 5 threes and finishing with 12 points in just 16 minutes.
Even with Cincinnati giving up 59 points, their defense had a tough time inside, allowing 55% shooting on two-pointers. The Bearcats sent their opponents to the line 12 times, where they hit 5 free throws.
From beyond the arc, Cincinnati held their opponents to 32% shooting, with 10 threes made on 31 attempts. The Bearcats also gave up 15 offensive rebounds in the game.
Will Villanova Win at Home?
Villanova improved to 4-4 on the season with a 72-48 win over Rider on Wednesday. The Wildcats, playing at home, were -18 favorites going into the game and managed to cover the spread. The total points ended at 120, falling short of the 138 O/U line.
Villanova took control early, leading 36-20 at halftime, and matched that output in the 2nd half while allowing 28 points.
Villanova’s offense put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 41.4% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 55.2%, thanks in part to hitting 15 of 38 threes, good for 39.5%.
Eric Dixon led the way with 16 points and 5 assists, shooting 3 of 5 from deep. Jhamir Brickus and Flash Burton each added 15 points, with Brickus hitting 5 of 7 from three.
Villanova’s defense was strong, holding their opponent to just 48 points, even though they shot 41% from the field, going 24/58. Inside the arc, Villanova allowed 9/20 shooting for 45%.
From three-point range, Villanova’s opponent hit 15/38, shooting 39%. They also went 9/12 from the free-throw line, hitting 75%. Villanova gave up 12 offensive rebounds.