Villanova vs. BYU Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Betting Preview for Nov. 3
I'm breaking down AJ Dybantsa's collegiate debut in my Villanova vs. BYU prediction for Monday’s season opener during the Hall of Fame Series at 9:30 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (TNT/truTV).
Dybantsa is a potential No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA draft (the one teams are tanking for), so this is his first chance to put on a show. His No. 8 Cougars are a 9.5-point favorite against a banged-up Villanova team.
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🏀 Villanova vs. BYU preview & score prediction
My Villanova vs. BYU prediction prefers the Under more than anything else. It’s the first game of the season, including Dybantsa’s debut. It’s also on a neutral site, and Villanova has been dealing with injuries this preseason.
Wildcats not at full strength
You know it’s a bad sign when the official school release mentions Villanova’s injuries to start the year.
Per the release, transfer guards Devin Askew (right knee sprain), Malcolm Flaggs (straight right achilles), and Zion Stanford (left ankle sprain) missed multiple weeks of practice and didn’t log any exhibition minutes. Bryce Lindsay and Tafara Gapare also missed one exhibition game apiece.
It’s unclear how many of those players will be back in action for Villanova, but I’m expecting an adjustment period in head coach Kevin Willard’s first year at the helm. The Wildcats’ team total being in the low 70s feels right, particularly if they continue to play at a slow tempo.
It would undoubtedly be in Villanova’s best interests to slow this one down, as BYU can be explosive. The Cougars scored 89 points in a one-point exhibition loss to Nebraska in mid-October.
Given this total is as low as 153 at some of the best sports betting sites, I like grabbing this bet at FanDuel (Under 153.5, -110). A $10 bet earns a $9.09 profit, with an implied probability of 52.38%.
Score prediction: BYU 79, Villanova 71
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🆚 Villanova vs. BYU matchup to watch
AJ Dybantsa vs. Villanova’s defense
Dybantsa demonstrated his pro potential in both exhibition games this preseason. He scored a team-high 30 points against Nebraska, including 19 in the first half. He went 10-of-19 from the floor, including 2-of-4 from distance.
In his second exhibition action, Dybantsa led the team with 18 points in a win over North Carolina.
Dybantsa pacing the scoring effort in both games is no accident. The Cougars’ offensive system will revolve around him, which is why I love the Over on his points prop of 17.5. FanDuel offers a -105 price tag, whereas bet365 is sitting at -120.
Best prop bet: AJ Dybantsa Over 17.5 points (-105 via FanDuel)
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📺 How to watch Villanova vs. BYU
- Date: Monday, Nov. 3
- Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas)
- TV: TNT/truTV
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