UConn vs Villanova NCAAB Picks and Prediction January 8: Bet Over 147
- NCAA Basketball experts recommend a bet on UConn to win and cover -1
- Bet on UConn vs Villanova to hit over 147 points
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Following a disastrous run at the Maui Invitational, two-time defending champion UConn has righted the ship, winning eight-straight games, including its first four in Big East Conference play. The Huskies will look to extend that winning streak when they travel to Villanova on Wednesday night.
Finneran Pavilion has not been kind to visitors, as Villanova is 8-1 on the season on its home court, leaving UConn as favorites of just a one-point NCAAB betting line.
UConn vs Villanova Game Information
- Game: UConn Huskies (12-3, 4-0) vs Villanova Wildcats (10-5, 3-1)
- Location: Finneran Pavilion, Villanova, PA
- Date/Time: Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m.
- UConn vs Villanova Live Stream: TBS.com
Check updated UConn vs Villanova injuries here.
3 UConn vs Villanova Picks: ATS, ML, Over/Under Bets
1. UConn vs Villanova Over 147 (-105)
Both teams are strong offensively and play good defense, so we will lean on college basketball betting trends for insight, and nearly all point to the score exceeding the 147-point mark.
The over has hit in UConn’s last nine games where they are favored. In the last five games, the over hit four times and pushed when UConn played on the road, particularly against teams with a winning home record. From the Wildcats’ perspective, the over hit in their last five contests following a straight-up victory and hit in five of the last six games overall.
Villanova has quietly climbed their way back to national relevance, largely thanks to this guy.
Eric Dixon is averaging 26 PPG, which is absolutely ridiculous for college basketball.
The Cats sit at 10-5 and are up to 37th on KenPom. Huge opportunity at home vs UConn Wed. pic.twitter.com/Dv9X1dca5u
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) January 6, 2025
While UConn will be searching for offense without NBA draft prospect Liam McNeeley, six Huskies reached double-figures in his absence against Providence. While favored, the Huskies will look to keep pace with the nation’s leading scorer in Eric Dixon, averaging nearly 26 points and only scoring below the 20-point threshold once all season. With offensive firepower on both sides of the ball and many trends pointing in that direction, we believe the score will exceed 147 points.
Bet This Pick: UConn vs Villanova Over 147 (-105)
2. UConn ML (-115)
The Huskies have struggled with one-on-one defense and while improving, they are still getting killed on the boards. Yet they are somehow still stronger than Villanova in that respect, with wing Wooga Poplar leading the team in rebounding.
The Huskies will need to utilize their greatest defensive strength, leading the nation with over six shots blocked per game. If Tarris Reed Jr. and Samson Johnson can stay out of foul trouble, this could give UConn an advantage, especially considering that Johnson is shooting a ridiculous 78% from the floor, which would be first in the nation, should he be qualified.
Fellow senior Hassan Diarra has carved out his own role as an elite floor general, 10th in the nation with 6.5 assists per game with a robust 3.16 assist/turnover ratio. If senior Alex Karaban and inconsistent scoring guard Solo Ball can pick up some of the scoring slack left by McNeeley’s absence, the Huskies should be in a position to win.
Outside of Dixon, the Wildcats have seen strong contributions from Poplar, who has been remarkably consistent of late, scoring between 17 and 19 points in five of the last six games, with a glaring three-point dud against Seton Hall mixed in.
In spite of missing McNeeley and Villanova being so formidable at home, we believe the Huskies will extend their winning streak to nine.
Bet This Pick: Connecticut Huskies ML (-115)
3. UConn ATS -1
With the college basketball spread being a mere point, as long as UConn wins by a basket, they will cover.
We analyzed the trends for the over/under and the trends point in Villanova’s direction to force a push. The Wildcats have covered in each of their last four games against an opponent with a winning percentage above .600 and have done so in six of their last seven against teams with a straight-up winning record.
The Wildcats have delivered against strong opponents, at least when included in your college basketball picks against the spread. But with such a slim margin, we will go with UConn to win by at least a point in spite of the tough road matchup. We believe the Huskies will bounce back and display consistency on offense.
Bet This Pick: Connecticut Huskies -1
UConn vs Villanova Score Prediction
UConn 77, Villanova 74
Questions Of The Day
What are UConn’s odds to win the National Championship?
+1400
Who won last season’s series against the spread?
Both teams went 1-1
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.