It will be a battle between Big East opponents when the Villanova Wildcats (9-4) welcome the DePaul Blue Demons (8-4, 0-1 Big East) to Finneran Pavilion. The game gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.
DePaul Blue Demons vs. Villanova Wildcats ATS Prediction
The Blue Demons come in on a high note after dismantling the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in their last matchup, 80-58. The Blue Demons had a much better free throw rate (0.386 vs. 0.097) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (52.8 vs. 40.5). With 25 points on 8-for-15 shooting, Max Strus was the top scorer from either team.
In the Wildcats’ previous matchup, they won big over the Morgan State Bears, 100-77. The Wildcats had a much better free throw rate (0.299 vs. 0.085) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (44.4 vs. 25.6). Eric Paschall was the game’s high scorer with 26 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field.
After the Wildcats won both matchups against the Blue Demons last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last game, Villanova won 93-62. The Wildcats made 15 of their 21 free throws (71.4 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.684 vs. 0.463).
Strus has averaged 0 points over the last five games for DePaul.
DePaul at Villanova Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Villanova, ATS Winner – DePaul, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Villanova ranks 12th in three pointers attempted per game (28.8) while DePaul ranks 224th in three pointers allowed per game (25.6).
The Blue Demons rank 40th in rebounds per game (39.7) while the Wildcats rank 144th (35.9).
DePaul averages 15.3 assists per game, which ranks 58th in the nation. Villanova ranks 68th in assists allowed per game (12.1).
The Wildcats are 25th in the NCAA with 2.5 blocks allowed per game while the Blue Demons are 27th with 2.5 blocks allowed per game.
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The Blue Demons’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.4, down from 8.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 76.6 points per game (1.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 67.0 points per game (1.0 above their season average).
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