Temple vs. Villanova, Picks, Odds and Prediction, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025
Use Code WWWC We've got a Big Five matchup on Monday night in this Temple vs. Villanova prediction. Last season, the Wildcats ran away with the game 94-65 from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The winner of this game will face Penn in the Big 5 Classic final on Dec. 6. Villanova (5-1) faces Temple (4-3), which has lost two straight games. Check out more college basketball free picks, NFL, and NBA games on Winners and Whiners.
Owls struggle on defense
Temple just got back from a trip to Orlando for the ESPN Events Invitational, where they went 1-2 from Nov. 24-26, with losses to UC San Diego (91-76) and Rhode Island (90-75), and a win over Princeton 79-75. They finished with a loss to the URI Rams on Nov. 26 as a 3-point dog. AJ Smith scored 18 points off the bench on 6-of-8 shooting and the Owls shot 45%. But the Rams were too good offensively, shooting 55% from the field and 43% (12-of-28) from long range.
Temple is led by Derrian Ford, a 6-3 guard who played at Arkansas State for two seasons and began his career at Arkansas. He's averaging 16.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, while shooting 41.8% from the field and 31.2% from beyond the arc. The Owls are ranked 152nd on KenPom, 82nd in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency but just 298th in Adjusted Defense.
Wildcats are Adjusting under Willard
Kevin Willard took over for Villanova last season, right after Maryland lost in the NCAA Tournament. He has had to rely on the portal led by JMU transfer Bryce Lindsay, who is averaging 19 points and shooting 47.8% from long range. Lindsey had 12 points and three assists in the Wildcats' win over ODU 89-75 on Nov. 25 at home. Villanova has played six games, with four games at home and their other Big Five games against LaSalle on the road but in Philly. Their only loss of the season took place against then No. 8 BYU from Las Vegas (71-66) to open the season.
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Villanova is ranked 42nd on KenPom, 42nd in Adjusted Offense, and 64th in Adjusted Defense. Their strength of schedule is ranked at 262. Duke Brennan, a Grand Canyon transfer, who is averaging 10.2 points per game and 14.4 rebounds at 6-10, 250, is listed as questionable for this game. He missed the ODU game with an ankle injury.
Spread Pick for Temple vs. Villanova
Villanova vs. Temple Pick and Prediction
- Temple +14.5 (4 units)
I know Temple hasn't covered their last five, but Villanova has not been tested yet and this line is about right. In that case, I'm going with the local rival that will give what they have in this game after a disappointing trip to Orlando. Nova has covered just two of their last three games and their biggest concern is on the defensive side, where they are allowing teams to shoot 41.5% from beyond the arc (364th) and 45.1% from the field (261st). It's tough to lay that many points when you struggle to stop teams.
Over/Under pick for Temple vs. Villanova
- Over 149.5 (5 units)
I mentioned Villanova's defensive issues and Temple has allowed 90 or more points two of their last three games. They've gone over in six straight games. Neither team pushes the tempo a ton, but expect a lot of points with defenses struggling lately.
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