Xavier vs Villanova Prediction 3/7/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Xavier Musketeers and Villanova Wildcats meet Saturday in college basketball action at the Finneran Pavilion. Here’s a Xavier vs. Villanova prediction. This article will include a Xavier vs. Villanova pick.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Xavier Musketeers beat Georgetown and lost to Seton Hall. Xavier has lost 9 of its last 12 games.

The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 78.4 points on 44.5 percent shooting and allowing 79.7 points on 47.3 percent shooting. Tre Carroll is averaging 18 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Javon Milicevic is averaging 12 points and 3.9 rebounds. Roddie Anderson III is the third double-digit scorer and Malik Messina-Moore is dishing 3.9 assists. The Xavier Musketeers are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 72.2 percent from the free-throw line. The Xavier Musketeers are allowing 34.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.2 rebounds per game.

Villanova Wildcats Betting Preview

The Villanova Wildcats lost to St. John’s and beat DePaul. Villanova has won 10 of its last 14 games.

The Villanova Wildcats are averaging 77.1 points on 45.6 percent shooting and allowing 70.3 points on 45 percent shooting. Tyler Perkins is averaging 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds, while Acaden Lewis is averaging 12.5 points and 3.2 rebounds. Bryce Lindsay is the third double-digit scorer and Duke Brennan is dishing 2 assists. The Villanova Wildcats are shooting 35.4 percent from beyond the arc and 68.9 percent from the free throw line. The Villanova Wildcats are allowing 33.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.8 rebounds per game.

Why the Villanova Wildcats will win

• Villanova has won each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Xavier has lost each of its last eight road games.
• Villanova has won the first half in 23 of its last 24 games at Finneran Pavilion.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Xavier has won 22 of its last 26 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Villanova has lost three of its last four home games following a road win.
• Xavier has won the first half in 18 of its last 23 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Villanova’s last eight day games against conference opponents has produced a total of 153 or fewer points.
• Eight of Xavier’s last nine day games against conference opponents have produced a total of 155+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Villanova ranks 22nd among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.1).
• Villanova ranks 30th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.5).
• Xavier ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (18.3).
• Xavier ranks 358th among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.64).

Xavier vs Villanova Prediction

Villanova is the better team and Xavier hasn’t had any road success. However, these teams met a couple of weeks ago and it went into overtime. The underdog has covered 5 of the last 7 games between Villanova and Xavier. These Big East games tend to be physical and competitive and while having offense issues at times, Xavier finds ways to hang around. I’ll grab the free buckets with Xavier on the road.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Xavier +11.5