Villanova Wildcats vs Xavier Musketeers Picks and Predictions February 9th 2025

Big East Standings on the Line as Wildcats and Musketeers Face Off

While most of Philadelphia will be counting down the hours until Super Bowl LIX, Villanova and Xavier will be locked in a battle for positioning in the Big East standings on Sunday afternoon.

With both teams tied at 6-6 in conference play, the winner will gain sole possession of fifth place, a crucial step in their pursuit of an NCAA Tournament bid. The game will take place at Wells Fargo Center—home to the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s Flyers—adding an extra layer of significance to what is already a pivotal contest.

For Villanova (13-10, 6-6 Big East), every game matters as they fight to stay in the tournament conversation. The Wildcats had been in a slump, losing five of six games, before snapping their skid with a 59-49 road victory over DePaul on Wednesday.

Villanova’s Defense Takes Center Stage

While the Wildcats’ 59-point output against DePaul marked their lowest scoring performance of the season, their defense stole the show. They held DePaul to just 30.8% shooting from the field and a season-low 19.4% from beyond the arc, limiting a team known for its three-point shooting to just 7-for-36 from deep.

“Our guys are putting a lot of energy into defense,” Villanova coach Kyle Neptune said. “At the end of the day, you’re going to have games where your offense isn’t clicking, or you aren’t making shots. That’s why we really prioritize defense and rebounding.”

Villanova’s leading scorer, Eric Dixon, struggled in that game, finishing with a season-low 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting. Dixon leads all of Division I with an average of 23.8 points per game, and the Wildcats will need a much stronger outing from him to keep pace with Xavier.

Dixon also had a quiet night in the first meeting between these teams on Jan. 14, managing just 18 points in a 69-63 Villanova loss at Xavier.

Xavier Looks to Complete Season Sweep

The Musketeers (14-9, 6-6) have been trending in the right direction, winning five of their past seven games. Their latest victory, a 74-69 home win over Georgetown on Tuesday, showcased their balanced attack.

Xavier relies heavily on big man Zach Freemantle (16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds per game) and sharpshooter Ryan Conwell (16 ppg), but head coach Sean Miller believes another player is emerging as a key weapon.

Dailyn Swain stepped up against Georgetown, delivering a team-high 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

“We have to put him in a position more often to be the playmaker and have the ball in his hands,” Miller said. “He’s making too many good decisions and too many good plays.”

Conwell was the star in the first matchup against Villanova, torching the Wildcats for 34 points while shooting 6-of-10 from three and 12-of-14 from the free-throw line. Xavier will look for him to stay hot as they try to secure a road win.

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NCAA Tournament Stakes Loom Large

Both Villanova and Xavier enter the weekend with NET rankings in the 50s, meaning this game could have significant implications for their NCAA Tournament hopes. A loss would push either team further onto the bubble, making every possession even more critical.

With the Big East standings tightening and the regular season winding down, Sunday’s game is far from an afterthought despite the city’s Super Bowl excitement.

Can Villanova protect its home court and stay in the tournament hunt? Or will Xavier’s well-rounded attack prove too much for the Wildcats to handle?

While football may dominate the headlines in Philadelphia on Sunday, this Big East battle could prove just as significant for two teams fighting for their postseason future.