Temple Owls vs Villanova Wildcats Picks and Predictions December 7th 2024

Villanova Seeks Consistency Against Skidding Temple

Villanova will look to build on its most impressive win of the season when it faces Temple in the Big 5 Classic on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Wildcats Riding Momentum

After a rocky start to the season, Villanova (5-4) found its groove in a 68-60 victory over No. 14 Cincinnati on Tuesday. The Wildcats’ defense stifled the Bearcats, and their offense was buoyed by standout performances, particularly from Eric Dixon, who tallied 31 points and raised his season average to 25.9, second in the nation entering Friday.

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“I’m not going to lie,” Dixon said. “It’s nice to win. But that doesn’t change the fact that we have to come back and get better.”

Point guard Jhamir Brickus added 13 points and dished out a season-high nine assists without committing a turnover. His performance underscored his value as a facilitator and scorer, something Temple will have to counter. Brickus has a history of lighting up the Owls, scoring 41 points against them last season while playing for La Salle in a 106-99 triple-overtime loss.

Temple Searching for Answers

Temple (4-3) has dropped three of its past four games, including an 83-75 loss to La Salle in its most recent outing. Quante Berry stood out in the defeat, recording 18 points and 15 rebounds, but the Owls struggled to contain La Salle’s offensive flow.

“They kicked our butt from start to finish,” Temple coach Adam Fisher admitted. “We’ve got plenty more games to go. We’ve got to regroup.”

Jamal Mashburn Jr. leads the Owls in scoring at 22.1 points per game, supported by Steve Settle III (13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds per game) and Zion Stanford (10.4 points).

Key Matchups

• Eric Dixon vs. Temple’s Frontcourt: Dixon’s scoring ability, both inside and from range, will test the Owls’ interior defense, led by Settle.
• Jhamir Brickus vs. Temple’s Guards: Brickus’ ball-handling and vision have been critical for Villanova, and Temple must find a way to disrupt his rhythm.
• Temple’s Perimeter Defense: Villanova shot 40 percent from beyond the arc against Cincinnati, and Temple will need to limit those opportunities.

Historical Context

Villanova holds a narrow lead in the all-time series, 50-43, but Temple claimed the most recent matchup, a 68-64 win on Nov. 11, 2022.

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What’s at Stake

Both teams are eager to strengthen their resumes in this cross-city rivalry. For Villanova, a win would provide further evidence of a turnaround after early struggles. For Temple, it’s an opportunity to regain momentum and make a statement in the Big 5 Classic.

Outlook

With Villanova hitting its stride after a tough opening stretch and Temple struggling to find consistency, the Wildcats enter as favorites. However, the Owls’ recent history in this rivalry suggests they won’t go down without a fight.