Villanova at Xavier: 1/12/22 College Basketball Picks and Predictions

The Villanova Wildcats and Xavier Musketeers face off on Wednesday in a college basketball showdown at the Cintas Center.  When these two teams faced off in December of 2021 it was Villanova that won 71-57. 

Villanova comes into this game with an 11-4 record they have gone 9-6 against the spread. In the last game against Depaul, Villanova’s offense was strong scoring 79 points and that was enough to come away with the 15 point victory. Villanova is averaging 73.1 points while their defense is giving up 63.6 points per game. Villanova had some struggles earlier in the season, but they have been playing better the last month. Collin Gillepse has been the top player for Villanova averaging 16.9 points while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 41 percent from behind the three point line. 

On the other side of this matchup is the Xavier Musketeers who sit with a 12-2 record overall and they have gone 10-4 against the spread. In the last game against Butler the offense was elite scoring 87 points, and that led to the 15 point victory. Xavier is averaging 76.4 points while their defense is giving up 62.7 points per game. Guard Nate Johnson has been the top player for Xavier averaging 12.7 points while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 46.4 percent from behind the three point line. In this game Xavier is going to need the defense to be good and slow down the Villanova offense.