Villanova Wildcats vs Butler Bulldogs: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

When: Wednesday, February 5th at 6:30 pm EST

How (TV): Fox Sports 1

Head Coach: Jay Wright {Overall: 17-4 | Conference: 7-2, 2nd in Big East}

Despite their roster averaging just one year of college basketball experience, the 10th ranked Villanova Wildcats have played well enough to put themselves in the national title conversation.

Although their early season loss to Ohio State looks worse as the season moves along, the Wildcats have padded their resume with a key win against Kansas and a strong showing in a crowded Big East.

With five double-digit scorers in the lineup, Jay Wright does not have to rely on one-star player to carry his team deep in March.

The Wildcats enter Wednesday’s game after having their seven-game winning streak snapped at home by Creighton last Saturday.

Villanova could not recover from a 12 point halftime deficit, falling 76-61 to the Bluejays. Junior guard Collin Gillespie dropped 18 points while freshman Justin Moore came off the bench to match Gillespie’s total.

Coach Wright will look to have his team improve on their dreadful 36.1% shooting percentage from that loss as they head to Indy.

Butler Bulldogs (Home)

Kamar Baldwin Named Top 10 Candidate for 2020 Jerry West Awardhttps://t.co/9QQvKpWpz8 pic.twitter.com/Tox67bAWQ3

— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) February 4, 2020

Head Coach: LaVall Jordan{Overall: 17-5 | Conference: 5-4, T-5th in Big East}

Like Villanova, the Butler Bulldogs have proven themselves against top competition, scoring wins over Florida, Purdue, and Stanford.

Although they have lost four of their last six games, there is still plenty of time for the Bulldogs to secure a favorable seed in the NCAA tournament.

With the nation’s eighth-ranked defense, which has limited opponents to 59.9 points per contest, such a goal is definitely within reach.

After tallying consecutive wins against Marquette and Georgetown, Butler suffered a let down at home against Providence this past weekend, losing 65-61 to the Friars.

Despite all starters reaching double figures, the Bulldogs were ice cold from beyond the arc, hitting just one of their 14 long-range attempts.

Leading scorer Kamar Baldwin led the way with 14 points, while fellow starters Bryce Nze, Bryce Golden, and Jordan Tucker each chipped in a dozen.

Villanova vs Butler All-Time Series

With Butler becoming a full-time member of the Big East in 2013-2014 season, there have been just 15 meetings between the two schools prior to Wednesday’s game.

Villanova has dominated the series, winning 12 of those games including the last five. The last time Butler won against Villanova was during the 2017-2018 season at Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the Bulldogs came out on top in a 101-93 upset of the then-top ranked Wildcats.

Current NBA players from that game include Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Donte DiVincenzo.

Villanova Roster Notes

Freshman guard Bryan Antoine is expected to see limited minutes as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Butler Roster Notes

Junior guard Aaron Thompson is listed as questionable with a wrist injury suffered against Villanova earlier in the season.

Junior guard Campbell Donovan is out for the season after tearing his ACL early in the season.

Junior forward Christian David is out for the season after tearing his ACL against Villanova.

Senior guard Henry Baddley is questionable to play against Villanova as he is currently battling an undisclosed illness.

Head-to-Head: Saddiq Bey (NOVA) vs Sean McDermott (BUT)

Congrats to Saddiq Bey on being named to the @WoodenAward Late Season Top 2️⃣0️⃣ Watch List! ?? pic.twitter.com/9kxeC8peEG

— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) February 4, 2020

Saddiq Bey

Small Forward | 6-8, 220lb | Sidwell Friends HS | Largo, MD | Sophomore

15.0 PPG | 2.5 APG | 5.2 RPG | 0.8 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 1.4 TOV | .475 FG% | .453 3P%

After contributing right away as a freshman last season, Saddiq Bey has improved his play across the board this season. The Maryland native’s shooting percentages have improved greatly despite his increased usage as a scorer, with his three-point shot being a key weapon for Villanova’s offense. Bey has already had four games in conference play where he nailed at least four shots from deep, including a 33 point performance against Georgetown where he hit eight three-pointers on ten attempts.

Sean McDermott

Shooting Guard/Small Forward | 6-6, 195lb | Pendleton Heights HS | Anderson, IN | Senior

11.8 PPG | 0.9 APG | 6.0 RPG | 0.5 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 0.7 TOV | .500 FG% | .416 3P%

In his second season as a full-time starter, Butler’s Sean McDermott has fully embraced his role as the number two option behind Kamar Baldwin.

The in-state product has been a reliable rebounder for the Bulldogs despite standing at just six-foot-six, with two double-digit rebound games this season.

Although he has been fairly consistent as a shooter this season, his first game against Villanova this season is one that he would love to improve on, as he went 1-11 from the field and 0-7 from three-point range.

The odds for Villanova vs Butler are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, and 888Sport NJ.