Missouri Tigers vs. Villanova Wildcats

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Missouri (-5)
Game Total Line: (142)
(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

The Missouri Tigers will look to remain undefeated on the year when they tangle with the Villanova Wildcats this Tuesday night in this year’s Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. The tip-off for this Big 12-Big East clash is set for 7 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Missouri moved to a perfect 7-0 straight-up on the year with a lopsided 90-56 victory over Northwestern State this past Friday in a game that had no posted lines. The Tigers are 3-1 against the spread this season in games with posted lines and the total has been evenly split a 2-2.

The biggest win so far for Missouri was a 92-53 romp over then-No.18 California on Nov.22 as a one-point favorite in the CBE Classic. The Tigers are averaging 86.3 points a game led by Marcos Denmon and Kim English. The two have combined for 27.2 points and 10.1 rebounds a game so far. English is shooting 59.4 percent from the floor and Denmon has converted on 88.9 percent of his shots from the foul line. Missouri is currently ranked sixth in the nation in scoring and fifth in field goal percentage.

Villanova remains out of the top 25 this season with a 5-2 record SU. It is just 1-5 ATS and the total has been evenly split at 3-3 in six games with lines. The Wildcats are coming off a 73-65 victory over Penn as 13-point home favorites this past Saturday. This followed back-to-back losses to Saint Louis and Santa Clara in the 76 Classic. They failed to cover as one-point underdogs in an 80-68 setback to the Billikens on Nov. 24 and lost to the Broncos 65-64 as 8.5-point favorites the following night.

As a team, Villanova is averaging 76.7 points a game, while holding its opponents to an average of 66.3. Maalik Wayns is the team’s leading scorer with an average of 18.7 points a game and Mouphtaou Yarou is adding 16 points and a team-high 8.4 rebounds a game. The team is shooting 44.5 percent from the floor and pulling down an average of 39.4 rebounds a game.

The Tigers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine non-conference games, but just 1-4 ATS in their last five games against the Big East. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of their last five neutral-site games.

The Wildcats are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games against the Big 12 but just 1-6 ATS in their last seven non-conference games overall. The total has stayed ‘under’ in their last five games against the Big 12.

Against the Spread Game Pick

Villanova could struggle to keep pace with the run-and-gun style of Missouri as it is doubtful that the Wildcats will be able to put-up enough points to keep this game close down the stretch. Stick with the Tigers to come away with the straight-up win to remain perfect on the year.
Take Missouri -5 at Bodog