Villanova vs. BYU odds, picks and predictions

The Villanova Wildcats and No. 8 BYU Cougars open their season in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Monday as part of the Hall of Fame Series. Tip from T-Mobile Arena is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT / truTV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Villanova vs. BYU odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Villanova is in recovery mode after most of its roster was gutted from last season. It finished 21-15 in its 2024-25 campaign and ranked sixth in the Big East. Coach Kyle Neptune was fired, and much of its roster departed, including F Eric Dixon, who averaged a team-high 23.3 points per game. The Wildcats did add freshman G Acaden Lewis, who was ranked as the fifth-best point guard in the Class of 2025. That said, expectations are high for former Maryland coach Kevin Willard, who is taking over for Neptune.

The Cougars will again be led by Kevin Young, who coached his team to a 26-10 record, finishing 14-6 and third in the Big 12. BYU made a few massive additions. First, it added 6-foot-9 F AJ Dybantsa, the No. 2 prospect in the class. Second, transfer G Robert Wright, who averaged 11.5 points per game with the Baylor Bears last season, will start as the point guard. The Cougars also return their leading scorer, F Richie Saunders (16.5 PPG).

Monday’s game will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two schools, all at neutral sites, and the first since 1984. Villanova leads 2-1. 

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Villanova vs. BYU odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last update at 7:21 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Villanova +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | BYU -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Villanova +8.5 (-105) | BYU -8.5 (-115)
• Over/Under (O/U): 153.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Villanova vs. BYU picks and predictions

Prediction

BYU 81, Villanova 69

PASS.

BYU (-400) should come out on top here, but it is far too expensive to consider.

BET BYU -8.5 (-115).

While Willard took a premier position at Villanova after 3 solid seasons with Maryland, the talent gap is going to be just too much to overcome. BYU added arguably the best freshman in the country while retaining continuity with Young and Saunders. It also has the size to deal with transfer 6-foot-10 C Duke Brennan, who was an All-WAC player last season and comes to Villanova from the Grand Canyon Antelopes.

On top of that, the Cougars were 5-3 ATS in neutral-court games a season ago. Considering the talent gap in this one, take BYU -8.5 (-115).

BET UNDER 153.5 (-110).

Both teams have several new players in the starting lineup, which suggests that having a sharp and flowing offense may take time. While Wright should take a step forward, he shot just 41.4% from the field and should be an instrumental part of the Cougars attack.

For Villanova, it has at least 4 new faces in the starting lineup (likely all 5 will be first-time Wildcats starters). It might take time to perfect Willard’s attack. Back UNDER 152.5 (-110).

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