The Villanova Wildcats take on the BYU Cougars in Las Vegas, NV. Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
BYU is favored by -9.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -450. The total is set at 153.5 points.
Here’s my Villanova vs. BYU predictions and college basketball picks for November 3, 2025.
Villanova vs BYU Prediction
My Pick: BYU -7.5 (Play to -8)
My Villanova vs BYU best bet is on the Cougars spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Villanova vs. BYU Odds, Spread
| Villanova Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 153.5 -110o / -110u | +350 |
| BYU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 153.5 -110o / -110u | -450 |
Villanova vs BYU NCAAB Betting Preview
Villanova Basketball
Kevin Willard is back in the Big East — where he belongs — after three seasons at Maryland.
Last season with the Terps, Willard deployed his fastest tempo since 2011 — his first year at Seton Hall. In the two prior years, Willard had Maryland outside the top 300 in tempo.
I think this Wildcats team has the pieces to play slower. They have decent guards in freshman Acaden Lewis, returnee Tyler Perkins and sharpshooter Bryce Lindsay.
But this won't be some offensive juggernaut. The Wildcats lack a clear No. 1 option, and they might not have a player average more than 12-13 points per game. That means it would make sense to slow down the game for Lewis, who'll have the keys to the offense from day one.
Meanwhile, Temple transfer Zion Stanford is a perfect player for Willard. A Philly native, Stanford could bring the defensive intensity and versatility that Willard covets, and he could be an effective piece versus BYU's athletic roster.
However, we'll see if he even plays here, as health is a concern.
Even last week, Willard seemed shaky about the availability of some players. Lindsay, who's the best shooter on the roster, was one due to an illness. The other is Devin Askew (knee), who's somehow still in college.
Stanford is probably the biggest question mark, though, as he's dealing with an ankle sprain.
Having that trio out could be a nightmare.
BYU Basketball
BYU enters this season with plenty of buzz. For one, AJ Dybantsa is arguably the best freshman in the county and a historic recruit for the Cougars. Second, they poached Rob Wright III from Baylor and brought back multiple starters from a team that reached the Sweet 16.
The Cougars had a glaring hole in their attack last year. They finished 82nd in defensive efficiency, but I'll give Kevin Young some grace. Coming into BYU, Young inherited guys like Dallin Hall and Trevin Knell, both of whom didn't defend well.
Now Young brought in a little more athleticism to try to fix the defensive woes. That begins with Southern Illinois transfer Kennard Davis Jr. Davis is a 6-foot-6 wing who'll likely defend the opposing team's top perimeter player. Not to mention, Davis averaged 16.3 points per game and shot 37% from deep last season.
He'll likely be the fourth or fifth scoring option for the Cougars, which speaks to their high level of offensive talent.
From a scheme perspective, Young brought an NBA-esque style from his days on the Phoenix Suns staff. Expect the Cougars to space the floor well, run ball screens and shoot 3s at almost a 50% clip.
They don't play as fast as you'd think (170th in adjusted tempo in 2024-25), but their ability to score came via how efficient they were.
They can put up very crooked numbers with their shooting ability.
Villanova vs. BYU Betting Analysis
Initially, I thought about taking Villanova if the number reached nine after sitting at 8.5.
But the number dipped to 7.5, and I feel like that's the sweet spot for BYU.
With all the injury question marks on Villanova's side and how efficient the BYU offense will be, this feels like a safe place to roll with the Cougars.
My Pick: BYU -7.5 (Play to -8)
