- Matchup: Villanova Wildcats vs. Butler Bulldogs
- Event Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
- Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
- Broadcast: ESPN+
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This Saturday, the Butler Bulldogs (10-4) will take on the Villanova Wildcats (11-2) at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.
In their latest game, the Villanova Wildcats secured a victory against DePaul, winning 71-66. Villanova recorded a field goal percentage of 34.5% (20 of 58) and successfully converted 10 of 23 shots from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, the Wildcats managed 21 out of 31 attempts, resulting in a conversion rate of 67.7%. On the boards, Villanova grabbed a total of 33 rebounds, with 12 being offensive. They also registered 9 assists while forcing the opposition into 14 turnovers and achieving 9 steals. Defensively, Villanova permitted a shooting percentage of 45.0% from DePaul, who shot 27 of 60. DePaul recorded 2 steals and totaled 41 rebounds (11 offensive and 30 defensive) but failed to register any blocks. The Blue Demons finished the game making 7 of 12 free throws, giving them a rate of 58.3%. They also made 5 of their 19 attempts from deep. Villanova committed 14 fouls, while DePaul finished with 25.
Bryce Lindsay contributed significantly in this matchup, scoring 19 points on 7 of 17 shooting for a 41.2% field goal percentage, alongside 3 rebounds in 35 minutes of play.
This season, Villanova boasts a record of 11-2. They average 10.5 turnovers per game and commit roughly 15.9 fouls per contest. The team is securing an average of 37.8 rebounds per game and has tallied 198 assists this season, placing them 191st in Division I. From three-point range, the Wildcats make 37.5% of their attempts (137 of 365) and shoot at a 68.8% success rate from the free-throw line. They are averaging 78.1 points per game, ranking 175th nationally, while shooting 45.7% from the field.
Defensively, Villanova forces opponents into 12.8 turnovers per game while drawing 16.9 personal fouls. They rank 120th in Division I for assists allowed, giving up 168 this year. The Wildcats are allowing a field goal percentage of 43.6% (322 of 738) and they give up an average of 33.3 rebounds per game. Opponents are shooting 36.9% from beyond the arc against them, and Villanova ranks 53rd in the nation for points allowed per game at 66.8.
The Butler Bulldogs last faced a loss against Creighton, finishing with a score of 89-85. Butler secured 18 defensive rebounds and 21 offensive boards, totaling 39 in this contest. They had 10 turnovers while achieving 7 steals during the matchup. Creighton committed 16 fouls, allowing the Bulldogs to attempt 19 free throws, of which they converted 15 for a shooting rate of 78.9%. Butler made 8 of 26 three-point attempts (30.8%) and shot 31 out of 75 overall for a shooting percentage of 41.3%. Defensively, they allowed Creighton to shoot 31 of 63 from the field (49.2%) and yielded 13 out of 32 attempts from three-point range (40.6%). Butler permitted Creighton to total 33 rebounds (9 offensive).
Yohan Traore emerged as a key player for the Bulldogs, making 8 of 13 attempts for a shooting percentage of 61.5%, along with 7 rebounds. He scored 20 points in 24 minutes of action and added 1 assist.
Currently, Butler holds a record of 10-4. They average 15.1 fouls per game and shoot 68.7% from the free-throw line. The Bulldogs average 17.1 assists per game (67th in college) and have 11.6 turnovers on average. They have accumulated a total of 1,208 points this season, averaging 86.3 points per game, while collecting 42.3 rebounds per game. In terms of shooting efficiency, Butler ranks 111th in college with a 47.0% field goal success rate.
Defensively, Butler is ranked 207th nationally, allowing an average of 74.1 points per game. They force their opponents into 12.0 turnovers per game and allow 43.0% shooting (159th in college). Opponents are converting 31.8% of their three-point attempts (98 of 308), and they make 72.2% of their free-throw shots. Butler surrenders 13.8 assists and 34.1 rebounds per game, ranking 220th and 167th nationally.
Who will triumph in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Bet on Butler
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