Villanova (1-1) vs NJIT (0-1)
Game Info: Friday, November 8, 2024 at 8:30 pm (Finneran Pavilion)
The Line: Betting Odds: Villanova -21.5 / NJIT +21.5 — Over/Under: 140.5
The NJIT Highlanders are visiting the Villanova Wildcats on Friday, November 8th 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 NJIT Highlanders vs. Villanova Wildcats Prediction.
Villanova Wildcats Preview
The Villanova Wildcats have a 1-1 record this season and are sitting on the 5th place in the Big East. The Wildcats have a 1-1 home record and are 0-2 against the spread. Offensively, the Bulldogs average 77.5 points per game, which is 208th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 76.5 points per game (237th).
Villanova is coming off a home defeat to Columbia, 80-90. Villanova failed to cover the -17-point spread and the game went over the 146-point total. The Wildcats did not shoot the ball particularly well (45%) and they allowed Columbia to shoot with 54% from the field.
Senior forward Eric Dixon led Villanova’s offense with a game-high 33 points with 5 triples, on 11-16 shooting. Dixon also grabbed 6 rebounds, while senior guard Wooga Poplar added 16 points and a team-high 7 rebounds. Villanova will face Saint Joseph’s after this game.
NJIT Highlanders Preview
The NJIT Highlanders finished last season with an 11-18 record, placing 7th in the America East Conference with a 3-11 record. NJIT had a below-average home record with 7-8 and was 4-10 on the road. The Highlanders were 10-16-2 against the spread and 14-12 in over/under.
In their season opener on Monday, the Highlanders lost to Penn at home, 57-58. NJIT managed to cover the +8-point spread and the game went under the 144-point total. The Highlanders’ 57 points were just 330th in the nation, while their 58 points allowed were 82nd. NJIT did not shoot the ball very well, with 37% from the field and 29% from downtown, but they played excellent defense and held Penn to just 33% shooting from the field.
Sophomore guards Tarig Francis and Sebastian Robinson led NJIT’s offense with 20 points apiece, with Robinson also grabbing a game-high 9 rebounds. NJIT will take on Loyola MD, Morgan State, and George Washington following this one.
Why the Villanova Wildcats will win
- Villanova has won 65 of its last 69 night games at Finneran Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- NJIT has lost each of its last seven games.
- NJIT has lost the first half in each of its last six road night games against non-conference opponents.
Why the NJIT Highlanders will win
- Villanova has lost six of its last seven games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- NJIT has won the first half in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
NJIT Highlanders vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction
Villanova has won both previous meetings against NJIT but was 1-1 against the spread. In this NJIT Highlanders vs. Villanova Wildcats, Villanova is becoming a big -21.5-point home favorite. Villanova is projected as #74 in the nation this season, while NJIT is projected to be a bottom-30 team, at #331. Villanova will be looking to bounce back after an unexpected home defeat by Columbia, and NJIT is just the perfect opponent for this. NJIT could not get anything going offensively in their opener and has been historically weak on the road. I expect a bounce-back Villanova victory in a big fashion. Take Villanova and lay the points at home.