Villanova Wildcats vs USC Trojans Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 04/03/2025

Game Time: 9:30 pm ET, Thursday, April 3, 2025

Venue:  Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV 

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Villanova -5.5, USC +5.5; Over/Under:  151.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Villanova -5.5, USC +5.5; Over/Under:  151.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Villanova -5.5, USC +5.5; Over/Under:  151.5 points

Villanova Wildcats:  20-14 (11-9) (6th place, Big East)

USC Trojans:  17-17 (7-13) (14th place, Big Ten)

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Villanova Wildcats:  3-2  last 5

USC Trojans:  3-2  last 5

Villanova is entering this game with a 20-14 record overall, an 11-9 record in conference games, and they are 3-3 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Colorado Buffaloes in their last game. Wooga Poplar led the team in points in that game with 24 while Eric Dixon was next on the team with 22. Jordan Longino led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Enoch Boakye led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 53.2% from the field, 35.5% from 3-point range, and 57.1% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 73.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.4 PPG against them. Villanova has an ATS record of 18-16 this season and their O/U record is 20-13-1.

USC is entering this game with a 17-17 record overall, a 7-13 conference record, and they are 2-3 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Tulane Green Wave in their last game. Rashaun Agee led the team in points in that game with 27 while Saint Thomas was next on the team with 14. Saint Thomas led the team in assists with 9 in that game while Rashaun Agee led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 63.6% from the field, 50% from 3-point range, and 58.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 75 PPG against them. USC has an ATS record of 15-19 this season and their O/U record is 24-10.

The current betting odds have USC listed as a 5.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. USC hasn't looked good in their games this season with their 17-17 record overall and their 7-13 conference record which had them right near the bottom of the Big Ten. They weren't good in neutral site games either, going 2-3 in those. Meanwhile, Villanova has looked good in their games this season with their 20-14 record overall and their 11-9 conference record which had them right in the middle of the Big East. They haven't looked any better in neutral site games though, going 3-3 in those. Both of these teams are 3-2 in their last 5 games and both teams had disappointing seasons for what they were expecting. Both teams also ran their respective opponents out of the building in the 1st round. Villanova had a much better season than USC, but they did play in a weaker conference. They also ended the season with firing their head coach and are in a bit of a gray area in this tournament. USC was near the bottom of their conference for most of the season, but they did play in a tougher conference. They were also in the 1st season of a new head coach so growing pains are expected, but they looked great in the 1st round and this tournament is something they can try to win and end the season with a positive. As good as Villanova looked in that 1st round, they haven't blown out a lot of their opponents all season and this is still a talented USC team from a power conference that can keep this game close all night. The best way to place a bet here is on USC to cover the spread in this game. 

Villanova USC Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, April 3, 2025 (9:30 pm ET start time) is Villanova 73 USC 70.

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Villanova Wildcats: 2-5 ATS when playing their 2nd game in 3 days. 3-6 ATS when playing with one or less days rest. 13-23 1H ATS in non-conference games. 8-4 OVER as a neutral court favorite or pick. 6-2 OVER after scoring 85 points or more. 

USC Trojans: 10-5 ATS when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 14-6 1H ATS when playing with one or less days rest. 30-15 OVER as an underdog. 21-12 OVER when the total is 150 to 159.5. 10-5 OVER when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%).

Villanova Wildcats:  A. Gavalyugov (G) Questionable - Illness. M. Thomas (F) Questionable - Knee. M. Hodge (F) Out - Eligibility.

USC Trojans:  T. Williams (F) Questionable - Wrist.

"Being here is a great opportunity. To be a part of this event, with Fox Sports and the Big East, is special. Also, these (players) love to play basketball and to compete. They were excited to continue to play. This is a great opportunity for them individually to showcase their talents." - Mike Nardi on playing in the Crown Basketball Tournament. 

"We learned a lot. The first year on any job is to set a culture and a foundation. I think we did that." - Eric Musselman on his team this season.

E. Boakye 

J. Brickus 

E. Dixon 

J. Longino 

W. Poplar

C. Agbo 

D. Claude 

J. Cohen 

S. Thomas 

W. Yates

PPG: E. Dixon (23)

APG: J. Brickus (4.9)

Reb/G: W. Poplar (6.9)

PPG: D. Claude (16.3)

APG: D. Claude (4.3)

Reb/G: S. Thomas (5.7)

Coaches:

Villanova Wildcats: Mike Nardi (Interim)

USC Trojans: Eric Musselman (1st season)