DePaul vs Villanova Prediction 12/31/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Depaul Blue Demons and the Villanova Wildcats meet Wednesday in college basketball action from the Finneran Pavilion. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Depaul Blue Demons vs. Villanova Wildcats prediction.

Depaul Blue Demons Recap

The Depaul Blue Demons come into this game looking to bounce back from a 72-54 loss at the hands of UConn last time out to sit at 8-5 this season. After this game, Depaul will take on Xavier at home.

Blue Demons Drop Back-To-Back Games

CJ Gunn leads the Blue Demons in scoring with 13.8 PPG along with 3.4 RPG while Layden Blocker has 12.2 PPG with 2.3 RPG and a team-high 3.7 APG to lead the Blue Demons in assists. NJ Benson has 11.2 PPG with a team-high 6.9 RPG to lead the Blue Demons in rebounding and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Depaul up to this point in the year. Kaleb Banks also has 8.1 PPG with 2.5 RPG and Kaleb Banks has 8.1 PPG with 2 RPG and 2.3 APG as well this season. As a team, Depaul is averaging 79 PPG on 45.6% shooting from the field, 34.1% from three and 70.4% from the foul line this season.

Villanova Wildcats Recap

The Villanova Wildcats come into this game looking to add on to their 64-56 win over Seton Hall last time out to sit at 10-2 this season. After this game, Villanova will head on the road for a game against Butler.

Wildcats Win 3 In A Row

Bryce Lindsay leads the Wildcats in scoring with 17.2 PPG with 2.1 RPG and 2.3 APG while Acaden Lewis has 12.4 PPG with 3.5 RPG and 5.6 APG to lead the Wildcats in assists. Matt Hodge has 10.1 PPG with 3.9 RPG and Duke Brennan has 12.1 PPG with a team-high 11.7 RPG to lead the Wildcats in rebounding by averaging a double-double per game. Tyler Perkins has 10 PPG and 3.9 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Villanova up to this point in the year. Devin Askew also has 9.4 PPG as well this season. As a team, Villanova is averaging 80.4 PPG on 47.2% shooting from the field, 36.8% from three and 69.6% from the foul line this season. 

DePaul Blue Demons @ Villanova Wildcats Betting Trends: December 31, 2025

Why the Villanova Wildcats will win

• Villanova has won each of its last 11 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• DePaul has lost 12 of its last 13 road games following a home loss.
• Villanova has won the first half in each of its last 17 games at Finneran Pavilion.

Why the DePaul Blue Demons will win

• DePaul has won each of its last four games when playing with a rest advantage.

Total Points Facts

• Each of DePaul’s last seven night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 138+ points.
• Seven of Villanova’s last eight games at Finneran Pavilion have produced a total of 140+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Villanova ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (64.4%).
• Villanova ranks 11th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (10.1).
• DePaul ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (18.1).
• DePaul ranks T26th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (6.1).

Depaul Blue Demons vs. Villanova Wildcats Prediction

I’m on Villanova here. I just think that Villanova’s the better team here and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years, it’s that during conference play, you fade Depaul until the cows come home as this team is consistently the bottom feeder of the Big East, having just one winning season in conference play since joining the Big East in 2005. I think Villanova wins here by 15+. Give me Villanova.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Villanova -13.5