Villanova vs. Seton Hall Preview, Picks, and Prediction, Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Tuesday, the Villanova Wildcats will face the Seton Hall Pirates in a Big East Conference basketball game, and we have you ready to go with our Villanova vs. Seton Hall prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, is at 7:00 p.m. PT.
The Pirates are two-point spread favorites, and the game total is 131 points.
These schools played three times last season. The Wildcats won all three games and covered the spread twice. They are 9-1 straight-up and 6-3-1 against the spread in their last ten matchups with the Pirates. The over went 6-4. If you want the Villanova vs. Seton Hall prediction, read on to get our top NCAAB predictions and increase your bankroll!
Villanova is one of the slowest-tempo teams
Villanova (9-2 SU, 8-3 ATS, and 5-6 O/U) beat Wisconsin 76-66 in OT in Milwaukee last Friday as 3.5-point underdogs. It was a rollercoaster game, as Nova led 35-22 at halftime, but was outscored 34-21 in the second half. The Wildcats then erupted for 20 points in the extra period to secure the non-conference win. They shot 40 percent overall and outrebounded the Badgers (+5 margin), grabbing 14 offensive rebounds.
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Sophomore guard Bryce Lindsay leads the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 16.7 points per game on 47.2 percent shooting, including 44.3 percent from three-point range. A few other Villanova stars to watch against Seton Hall are senior forward Duke Brennan (12.2 PPG and 11.6 RPG), freshman guard Acaden Lewis (11.9 PPG and 5.3 APG), and junior guard Tyler Perkins (10.6 PPG and 4.3 RPG).
The Wildcats score 88.0 points per game (68th) on 46.5 percent shooting (136th), including 36.7 percent from beyond the arc (71st). Villanova's opponents average 74.8 points per game (156th) on 44.6 percent shooting (243rd), including 38.5 percent from deep (356th). Nova is ranked 28th nationally, including 27th in offensive rating and 37th in defensive rating, per KenPom.
Villanova Wildcats Injury Report:
- G Chris Jeffrey (4.2 PPG in nine games) is out (knee).
Seton Hall is a strong defensive team
Seton Hall (11-1 SU, 8-4 ATS, and 5-7 O/U) beat Providence 72-67 on Sunday, covering as one-point underdogs in its first Big East game of the season. The Pirates led by seven at the half and were ahead for over 80 percent of the game. They shot 45 percent from the field and won the rebounding battle 35-29. The Hall scored 34 points in the paint.
Senior guard AJ Staton-McCray leads Seton Hall in scoring this season, averaging 13.4 points on 44.0 percent shooting, including 36.7 percent from beyond the arc. A few other Pirates to watch on Tuesday against Villanova are junior guard Tajuan Simpkins (11.8 PPG and 3.3 RPG), junior guard Adam Clark (10.1 PPG and 5.7 APG), and senior forward Stephon Payne (7.8 PPG and 6.5 RPG).
SHU scores 76.3 points per game (266th) on 46.3 percent shooting (142nd), including 33.8 percent from beyond the arc (190th). The Pirates' opponents average 62.1 points per game (5th) on 38.8 percent shooting (26th), including 32.3 percent from deep (154th). Seton Hall is ranked 43rd nationally, including 116th in offensive rating and 13th in defensive rating, per KenPom.
Seton Hall Pirates Injury Report:
- F Najai Hines (7.4 PPG and 5.5 RPG) is questionable (illness).
Villanova vs. Seton Hall Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Villanova vs. Seton Hall
- Pirates -2 (5 Units)
You know what you're getting with Seton Hall. The Pirates are committed to defense and will do enough to win games on the other end of the court. That's why they're ranked 12 nationally in consistency, according to Haslametrics. They're also 14th in Paper Tiger Factor, which measures how well teams play versus tougher competition. Villanova, on the other hand, ranks 262nd in consistency and 333rd in Paper Tiger Factor. The Wildcats also rank 336th in the website's Away from Home metric.
Seton Hall might not dominate Villanova on Tuesday, but it should cover the spread. The Pirates are a top-20 defensive team and they make the most of their second-chance scoring opportunities, ranking 37th in quick points off second-chance offensive rebounds. They're also 5th in potential quick points off breakaway steals. The Wildcats have some momentum, but I worry how efficient they will be if their three-point threats are off the mark. Nova shoots a lot of threes (40th in three-point attempt rate) and will find it challenging to score in the paint (SHU ranks 14th in near-proximity shot defense).
Bet on the more consistent, defensive-minded home team to cover the spread in Tuesday's Big East clash in Newark!
Over/Under Pick for Villanova vs. Seton Hall
- Under 131 (4 Units)
These conference competitiors are among the slowest-paced teams in college hoops, ranking 356th (Nova) and 287th (Seton Hall) in schedule-adjusted tempo, per KenPom. The home team relies on defense to win games, grinding their opponents down. They allow the sixth-fewest field goal attempts per 100 trips against the average opponent, according to Haslametrics. While solid offensively, the Wildcats enter this matchup ranked 328th in offensive momentum and haven't played their best basketball on the road.
I won't count on either team hitting a lot of shots on Tuesday. Even with the total at just 131, I lean towards the under.
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