Rider vs Villanova Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/27/24

The Rider Broncs are visiting the Villanova Wildcats on Wednesday, November 27th at the William B. Finneran Pavilion. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Rider Broncs vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction.

Villanova Wildcats Preview

The Villanova Wildcats have a 3-4 record this season and are coming off a 75-76 loss in Maryland. The Wildcats are 3-4 against the spread, and 6-1 in over/under while having a 3-1 home record. 

Offensively, Villanova is averaging 78.6 points per game, which ranks 158th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 69.3 points per game (145th). The Wildcats shoot 47.1% from the field (112th) and 38.5% from beyond the arc (45th). The Wildcats shoot 81.6% from the free-throw line, which is the 9th-best in the nation, and are grabbing 36.7 rebounds per game (199th).

Eric Dixon leads Villanova in scoring with an average of 26.7 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds, while Wooga Poplar adds 13.1 points and 6.4 rebounds. Villanova will take on Cincinnati after this one.

Rider Broncs Preview

The Rider Broncs have a 4-2 record this season and are coming off a 57-53 win in Bucknell. The Broncs are 4-2 against the spread, and 1-5 in over/under, while they have a 4-2 road record. 

Offensively, Rider is averaging 64.5 points per game, which ranks just 339th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 70 points per game (160th). The Broncs shoot 40.2% from the field (327th) and 29.1% from beyond the arc (317th). The Broncs shoot 69.9% from the free-throw line (204th) and are grabbing 38.2 rebounds per game (138th).

TJ Weeks leads Rider in scoring with an average of 13.5 points and a team-high 5.5 rebounds, while Jay Alvarez adds 10.2 points and 4 rebounds.

Why the Villanova Wildcats will win

• Villanova has won 67 of its last 71 night games at Finneran Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Rider has lost 16 of its last 21 road night games against non-conference opponents.
• Villanova has won the first half in 31 of its last 36 night games at Finneran Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Rider Broncs will win

• Rider has won seven of its last eight road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Villanova has lost seven of its last nine games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Rider has won the first half in seven of its last nine road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• Villanova ranks T6th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (27.9).
• Villanova ranks T9th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (81.6%).

Rider Broncs vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction

Villanova has won both previous meetings against Rider, covering the spread in both, as both games went over the total. In this Rider Broncs vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction, Villanova is coming as a -19.5 home favorite, and rightfully so. Rider has been terrible so far this season, losing by an average of 5.5 points, while struggling mightily offensively, ranking in the bottom 30 of the nation in points scored and in the bottom 50 in shooting percentages. The Wildcats have also been very strong at home this season, so the value here lies with the home team. Take the Villanova Wildcats and lay the points at home.