The Villanova Wildcats will look to solidify their position on the March Madness bubble as they take on the Seton Hall Pirates in the opening round of the Big East Tournament.
While the Pirates may try to grind this game to a halt, it’s unlikely to slow the Wildcats, which is why I’ll be taking the Over in my Seton Hall vs. Villanova predictions.
Let’s dive into this Big East matchup in my free college basketball picks and predictions for Wednesday, March 12.
Seton Hall vs Villanova prediction
Who will win Seton Hall vs Villanova?
Villanova hasn’t blown out Seton Hall the way we’d expect in the two meetings between these teams, but the Wildcats have still gotten both wins by at least five points. Now, with an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament potentially on the line in every game they play, the Wildcats aren’t going to let this one slip away. I’m taking Villanova to win tonight.
My best bet: Over 126 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Villanova Wildcats and Seton Hall Pirates are two of the slower-paced teams in college basketball, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at the numbers that the Wildcats are putting up this season. Behind Eric Dixon (23.6 ppg), who leads the country in scoring, Villanova is averaging 74.1 ppg – a number that understates just how efficient this offense has been.
The Wildcats are No. 2 in the nation at 39.8% from three-point range, are shooting 46.6% overall, and hit 81.1% of their shots from the free throw line. KenPom.com rates Villanova as the No. 20 team in the nation in terms of adjusted offensive rating, and it has needed every bit of that offense, as the Wildcats are also allowing opponents to score 67.7 ppg – a number that is worse than it looks, given the team’s tendency to sit on the ball and limit possessions.
Seton Hall, on the other hand, is simply a poor offensive team that also doesn’t run the court. But for our purposes, it’s more important that they don’t really stop teams from scoring, giving up 70.3 ppg on 46.6% shooting.
This won’t be a track meet, and the last game between these teams – a 59-54 win for Villanova – showed the bottom end of what they can accomplish against each other. But the first time they played, the Pirates and Wildcats combined for 146 points. Villanova has played above tonight’s total in six of its last eight games, while Seton Hall has done the same in six of its last seven.
It won’t take much offense to hit tonight’s number, and if the Pirates can’t muster it, Villanova will. I’m taking the Over.
Seton Hall vs Villanova same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 125.5
Villanova -10.5
Eric Dixon Over 21.5 points
I’m expecting this game to have enough scoring to hit the Over, and that should give Villanova the space to push past a fairly large spread tonight. While the Wildcats only covered in one of their two regular season games against Seton Hall, this game will mean a lot for Villanova, and in a big spot, I expect them to put the Pirates away early – especially considering that Seton Hall finished its regular season with two blowout losses and is just 1-3 against the spread in its last four games as a double-digit underdog.
The biggest factor in the game will be Eric Dixon. The nation’s top scorer finished the regular season on a tear, and has gone Over 21.5 points in each of his last four games. That includes a 32-point performance against the Pirates when these teams last played – a total he earned even as Villanova only put up 59 points. The Wildcats will score more tonight, and Dixon should easily hit the Over.
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Seton Hall vs Villanova odds
Seton Hall vs Villanova live odds
Seton Hall vs Villanova opening odds
- Spread: Seton Hall +10.5 (-110) | Villanova -10.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Seton Hall +475 | Villanova -650
- Over/Under: Over 126 (-110) | Under 126 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Seton Hall vs Villanova betting trend to know
Seton Hall has played Over tonight’s total in six of its last seven games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Seton Hall vs. Villanova.
How to watch Seton Hall vs Villanova
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Wednesday, 3-12-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock |
Seton Hall vs Villanova key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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