The Villanova Wildcats, ranked No. 16, look to get back on track when they take on the Delaware State Hornets in non-conference action at Finneran Pavilion in Villanova, Pa., on Monday night. The Wildcats (1-1) suffered their first loss under first-year coach Kyle Neptune on Friday when Temple rallied for a 68-64 win as part of Philadelphia Big Five play. Neptune took over for longtime and retired Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright this past offseason. The Hornets (1-1) crushed Immaculata 104-67 on Thursday, three days after dropping a 95-57 season-opening loss at Virginia Tech.
The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. ET. Villanova averaged 71.7 points per game, 157th-best in the nation last season, while Delaware State averaged 62.8, 340th-best. The Wildcats are 36-point favorites in the latest Delaware State vs. Villanova odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 138.5. Before making any Villanova vs. Delaware State picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past six years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of more than $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread.
Now, the model has set its sights on Villanova vs. Delaware State and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Delaware State vs. Villanova:
- Villanova vs. Delaware State spread: Villanova -36
- Villanova vs. Delaware State over/under: 138.5 points
- DSU: The Hornets are 6-0 against the spread in their last six road games against a team with a winning home record
- NOVA: The Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games
- Villanova vs. Delaware State picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Villanova can cover
One of the players the Wildcats are counting on this season is Eric Dixon, who moved into the starting lineup in 2021-22. He was a key to Villanova's Big East Tournament title and ride to the NCAA Final Four. Dixon started all 38 games for the Wildcats last year, averaging 25.2 minutes, 9.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per outing. He also connected on 17 of 35 attempts from beyond the 3-point arc (.486), including a critical one to stem a second-half Ohio State run in what became a 71-61 win in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. On Friday night, he overcame foul trouble in the opening minutes that sent him to the bench and responded with 18 points and five rebounds in 28:27 before fouling out in the final seconds. Through two games, Dixon is averaging 19 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest.
Also helping power the Wildcats is sophomore guard Jordan Longino. Longino has scored in double figures in both games this season, including 12 points in the season-opening win over La Salle last Monday. He is connecting on 75% of his field goals and 3-pointers, and is perfect at the free throw line in two starts. Last season, he came off the bench in 26 games, averaging 1.8 points per game.
Why Delaware State can cover
The Hornets are coming off their highest offensive output in more than nine years. Robert Morris transfer Brandon Stone, a senior forward, scored a game-high 25 points on 11 of 15 shooting from the field. He also led all players with nine rebounds. In two games with the Hornets, Stone is averaging 20 points and 8.5 rebounds, and is connecting on 64.3% of his field goals, and 42.9% of his 3-pointers. In 23 games off the bench for Robert Morris a year ago, Stone averaged 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Also off to a fast start is sophomore guard Khyrie Staten. In 31 minutes against Immaculata, he scored 21 points on seven field goals, including three 3-pointers, with six assists, four steals and two rebounds. For the season, he is connecting on 46.7% of his field goals, including 38.5% of his 3-pointers. Last season, he was limited to just eight games due to injury, averaging 4.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
How to make Villanova vs. Delaware State picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 143 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can see the picks here.
So who wins Delaware State vs. Villanova? And which side of the spread hits in almost 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.
