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

I'm providing my Wisconsin vs. Villanova predictions for the Milwaukee Hoops Showdown from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Both teams are in need of a statement victory, and I'm backing the 4.5-point favorite Wisconsin to win in the Badgers' home state. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET (FOX).

🏀 Wisconsin vs. Villanova prediction

Don't miss the rest of our college basketball picks this season.

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