The 16th-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats will look to stay unbeaten on the year when they take on the Villanova Wildcats in a key 2024 Big East-Big 12 Battle matchup on Tuesday night. Cincinnati is coming off a 77-59 win over Alabama State on Wednesday, while Villanova cruised to a 72-48 win over Rider that same night. The Bearcats (6-0), who tied for 11th-place in the Big 12 at 7-11 and were 22-15 overall in 2023-24, are 2-0 on the road this year. The Wildcats (4-4), which tied for sixth place in the Big East at 10-10 and were 18-16 overall last season, are 4-1 on their home court. Cincinnati junior guard Dan Skillings Jr. (knee) is considered week-to-week.
Tipoff from Finneran Pavilion in Villanova, Pa., is set for 6:30 p.m. ET. Villanova leads the all-time series 6-4, but Cincinnati has won the last three meetings, including a 68-50 win in their last meeting in 2013. The Bearcats are 3.5-point favorites in the latest Cincinnati vs. Villanova odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 138.5. Before making any Villanova vs. Cincinnati picks, check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every Division 1 college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 5 of the 2024-25 season on a 170-123 betting roll (+2061) on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to 2023. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Cincinnati vs. Villanova. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball betting lines and trends for Villanova vs. Cincinnati:
- Cincinnati vs. Villanova spread: Cincinnati -3.5
- Cincinnati vs. Villanova over/under: 138.5 points
- Cincinnati vs. Villanova money line: Cincinnati -180, Villanova +149
- CIN: The Bearcats have hit the team total under in 23 of their last 37 games (+7.20 units)
- VIL: The Wildcats have hit the game total under in 21 of their last 34 games (+7.90 units)
- Cincinnati vs. Villanova picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Cincinnati vs. Villanova streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why you should back Cincinnati
Senior guard Simas Lukosius is one of four Bearcats averaging double-digit scoring. In six games, all starts, he is averaging 16.5 points, four assists and 3.2 rebounds in 27.3 minutes. He is connecting on 58.7% of his shots from the floor, including 57.9% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line. He has scored no fewer than 12 points in all games this season, including a season-high 20 in a 109-54 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 4.
Another weapon for Cincinnati is sophomore guard Jizzle James. He is averaging 13.8 points, 5.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 26 minutes of action. James just missed a double-double in the win over Alabama State, scoring 13 points, while adding eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. He scored a season-high 19 points and grabbed six boards and dished out four assists in an 86-49 win over Nicholls on Nov. 15. See which team to pick here.
Why you should back Villanova
Fifth-year senior forward Eric Dixon helps power the Wildcats. In seven games, all starts, he is averaging 25.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.9 minutes. He is connecting on 53.5% of his field goals, including a blistering 54.3% from 3-point range, and 90.6% from the foul stripe. Dixon poured in 38 points and added four rebounds, two assists and one steal in a 76-75 loss to Maryland at the Saatva Empire Classic on Nov. 24.
Senior Wooga Poplar is one of three players averaging at least 12 points per game. In eight games, including seven starts, he is averaging 12.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 28.8 minutes. He has one double-double on the year, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 75-63 win over Lafayette on Nov. 4. He scored 19 points and added three rebounds and two assists in a 93-49 win over Pennsylvania on Nov. 19 in the Big 5 Classic. See which team to pick here.
How to make Cincinnati vs. Villanova picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 146 combined points. It also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Cincinnati vs. Villanova, and which side of the spread is the better value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up more than $2,060 on its college basketball picks dating back to 2023, and find out.