Villanova vs. Wisconsin Preview, Picks and Prediction, Friday, December 19, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Friday, the Villanova Wildcats will face the Wisconsin Badgers in a non-conference college basketball game, and we have you ready to go with our Villanova vs. Wisconsin prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from Milwaukee is at 8:00 p.m. PT.
The Badgers are 3.5-point spread favorites, and the game total is 150.5 points scored.
This is the first matchup between these teams since 2017, a game the Badgers won 65-62. If you want the Villanova vs. Wisconsin prediction, read on to get our top NCAAB predictions and increase your bankroll!
Villanova is a top three-point shooting team
Villanova (8-2 SU, 7-3 ATS, and 5-5 O/U) beat Pitt 79-61 in its previous game (Dec. 13), covering the spread as 10.5-point favorites. The Wildcats' only losses this season came against ranked BYU (71-66) and Michigan (89-61) squads.
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Nova led for the majority of its win over the Panthers, as it shot 52 percent overall and 41 percent from three-point distance. The Wildcats also knocked down 18 free throws and scored 16 points off the visitors' 12 turnovers. Pittsburgh shot 42 percent from the field, including 5-for-22 (23%) from beyond the arc.
Sophomore guard Bryce Lindsay leads the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 17.2 points per game on 48.7 percent shooting, including 45.8 percent from three-point range. A few other Villanova stars to watch against Wisconsin are freshman guard Acaden Lewis (12.4 PPG and 5.6 APG), senior forward Duke Brennan (12.1 PPG and 11.7 RPG), and frosh forward Matt Hodge (10.1 PPG and 3.9 RPG).
The Wildcats score 80.4 points per game (195th) on 47.2 percent shooting (102nd), including 36.8 percent from beyond the arc (67th). Villanova's opponents average 68.1 points per game (59th) on 44.5 percent shooting (236th), including 38.0 percent from deep (350th). Nova is ranked 34th nationally, including 28th in offensive rating and 51st in defensive rating, per KenPom.
Villanova Wildcats Injury Report:
- No injuries to report.
Badgers haven't fared well against top competition
Wisconsin (7-3 SU, 5-5 ATS, and 7-3 O/U) lost 90-60 to Nebraska in its previous game (Dec. 10), failing to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The Badgers previously lost to BYU (98-70) and TCU (74-63).
UW shot just 34 percent in its loss to the Huskers, including 7-for-32 (22%) from three-point range. NU led by 16 at halftime and piled it on in the second half, stretching its lead to 33. The home team shot 54 percent from the floor and outscored the visitors 44-24 in the paint. Wisconsin trailed for 79 percent of the game.
Senior guard Nick Boyd leads the Badgers in scoring, averaging 20.2 points per game on 48.3 percent shooting. A few other Wisconsin players to watch against Villanova are junior guard John Blackwell (19.6 PPG and 5.3 RPG), junior forward Nolan Winter (12.8 PPG and 9.4 RPG), and sophomore forward Austin Rapp (9.8 PPG and 4.0 RPG).
The Badgers score 85.1 points per game (109th) on 44.2 percent shooting (240th), including 33.1 percent from beyond the arc (208th). UW's opponents average 75.4 points per game (177th) on 44.8 percent shooting (256th), including 35.3 percent from deep (293rd). Wisconsin is ranked 39th nationally, including 41st in offensive rating and 50th in defensive rating, per KenPom.
Wisconsin Badgers Injury Report:
- No injuries to report.
Villanova vs. Wisconsin Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Villanova vs. Wisconsin
- Wildcats +3.5 (5 Units)
I'll grab the points with the visiting Wildcats. They shoot a high percentage from three-point range, aren't afraid to let it fly from deep (40th-highest 3PT attempt rate nationally), and will benefit from playing a soft UW perimeter defense (293rd in opponent 3PT%). The Badgers' mid-range defense is also suspect (300th in opponent mid-range FG%), and Villanova will attack the rim hard (30th in near-proximity FG%). Wisconsin isn't nearly as deep as Nova, either. Boyd and Blackwell account for nearly half of their points, while the Cats have six players averaging between 9.4 and 17.2 PPG. After a brutal 30-point loss to Nebraska, I don't expect the Badgers to separate from the Wildcats. Bet on Nova to cover in a close game!
Over/Under Pick for Villanova vs. Wisconsin
- Over 150.5 (4 Units)
The over is 7-3 in Wisconsin's games this season, and I anticipate another higher-scoring game on Friday. UW will be playing in front of a supportive crowd in Milwaukee and will be eager to respond after its last loss. After over a week off, they should be ready to lace up their kicks again, and will have success against a Nova defense that's outside the top-200 nationally in mid-range defense and three-point defense. The Badgers are also fast-paced (64th in schedule-adjusted tempo), and will look to dictate the pace as the de facto home team. With Villanova's offense more than capable of competing with Wisconsin from start to finish, the over is my recommendation for the total.
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