DePaul Blue Demons vs Villanova Wildcats NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Blue Demons versus the Wildcats? Tip off is at at 12:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on FS1. The game will be played at Finneran Pavilion in Villanova, PA. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 146.5 points, and Villanova is favored by -9.5 to win at home against DePaul.
DEPAUL BLUE DEMONS VS VILLANOVA WILDCATS BETTING PICK
The Pick: DePaul Blue Demons +9.5
This game will be played at Finneran Pavilion at 12:00 ET on Saturday, January 4th.
WHY BET THE DEPAUL BLUE DEMONS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-70 in favor of the Wildcats.
- Even though we have Villanova winning straight-up, we like DePaul at +9.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 146.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.
Does DePaul Have a Shot at a Road Win?
DePaul’s season record dropped to 9-5 following an 81-68 loss to UConn on Wednesday. The Blue Demons were +11.5 point underdogs at home and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 149, surpassing the over/under line of 144.5.
DePaul struggled in the first half, trailing 43-22, but showed improvement in the second half by scoring 46 points while allowing 38.
DePaul’s offense struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 39.6% overall and 25% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 41.5%, but they made up for it at the free-throw line, hitting 82.1% of their attempts.
Solo Ball led the way with 22 points, shooting 58.3% from the field and 77.8% from three-point range. Conor Enright and Alex Karaban each added 18 points, with Enright dishing out 9 assists.
DePaul’s defense gave up 81 points in their last game, despite holding their opponent to 39% shooting from the field. They allowed 18 two-point baskets on 41 attempts, a 43% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, DePaul’s opponent shot 25%, hitting 3 of 12 three-point attempts. The Blue Demons also sent them to the free-throw line 28 times, where they converted 23 free throws, an 82% success rate. DePaul allowed 10 offensive rebounds.
Can the Wildcats Deliver Being Favored at Home?
Villanova improved to 9-5 on the season with a 73-65 road win over Butler on Wednesday. The Wildcats entered the game as slight favorites at -1 and covered the spread. The total points for the game finished at 138, under the O/U line of 144.5.
Villanova trailed 31-30 at halftime but turned things around in the second half, outscoring Butler 43-34 to secure the win.
Villanova put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 42.4% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 26 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 50.8%, and they were strong at the free-throw line, making 14 of 16 attempts (87.5%).
Eric Dixon led the way with 28 points, hitting 5 of 10 from deep, while Jahmyl Telfort added 25 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 57.1% overall. Wooga Poplar contributed 18 points and 15 rebounds, shooting 53.8% from the floor.
Villanova’s defense gave up 65 points, allowing the opposing team to shoot 42% from the field (22/52). Inside the arc, they were 13/24, hitting 54% of their two-point attempts.
From three-point range, Villanova’s opponents shot 32%, making 9 of 28 attempts. They also went to the free-throw line 23 times but only converted 12, shooting 52%. Villanova allowed 6 offensive rebounds.