Wisconsin vs. Villanova Predictions & Odds: College Basketball Picks Tonight (Dec. 19)

Two teams from power conferences in need of a statement victory meet in the Milwaukee Hoops Showdown as I make my Wisconsin vs. Villanova predictions. Tipoff from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee is set for 8 p.m. ET (FOX).

Wisconsin is a 4.5-point betting favorite at what is technically a neutral site, but will feel like a home game for the Badgers, given the game is in their home state. That should propel the Big Ten squad to yet another victory over a team from the Big East.

🏀 Wisconsin vs. Villanova prediction

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Wisconsin -4.5 (-105) ⭐⭐⭐

The Badgers have beaten two Big East teams (Providence and Marquette) each by 20-plus, while Villanova hasn’t beaten anyone of substance (8-0 in Quad 4 games) to prove it belongs in the top tier of its conference.

In a 104-83 thrashing of Providence, Wisconsin set season-highs in transition points, points at the rim, and points via catch-and-shoot (69% of which were unguarded). The latter is problematic for a Wildcats defense that ranks in the bottom 35 in 3-point percentage allowed (38%).

FanDuel is the only one of our best sports betting sites charging less than -110 to back the favorites.

Score prediction: Wisconsin 80, Villanova 73

🔥 Best Wisconsin vs. Villanova player prop

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Acaden Lewis, PG, Villanova: Over 4.5 assists (-130) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Villanova’s Acaden Lewis has matured after being benched at the end of the BYU game in the season opener. He was named Big East Freshman of the Week for the third time after averaging 11 points and five assists last week, and now has the 30th-highest assist rate (36.5%) of any D-I player. 

I expect head coach Kevin Willard to give Lewis free rein to operate against a slow-footed Badgers perimeter, resulting in Lewis surpassing this projected total for the fourth time in five games. bet365's -130 odds are the best on the market.

📊 Wisconsin vs. Villanova odds

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📺 How to watch Wisconsin vs. Villanova

• Date: Friday, Dec. 19
• Tipoff: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee)
• TV: FOX