Halftime Report
A win for Villanova would push their record over .500, and after one quarter of play they’ve put themselves in a good position to make it happen. They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead N.J. Tech 41-25.
If Villanova keeps playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 2-1 in no time. On the other hand, N.J. Tech will have to make due with an 0-2 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who’s Playing
N.J. Tech Highlanders @ Villanova Wildcats
Current Records: N.J. Tech 0-1, Villanova 1-1
How To Watch
- When: Friday, November 8, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Finneran Pavilion — Villanova, Pennsylvania
- TV: Fox Sports 2
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket Cost: $28.00
What to Know
The N.J. Tech Highlanders are taking a road trip to face off against the Villanova Wildcats at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday at Finneran Pavilion. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last game, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.
N.J. Tech is leaving town to face Villanova after disappointing their home crowd in their season opener. N.J. Tech was just a bucket shy of victory on Monday and fell 58-57 to Penn. The Highlanders just can’t catch a break and have now endured seven defeats in a row dating back to last season.
Villanova came into the contest on Wednesday with a huge advantage in the spread, but given the result that advantage might’ve gone to their heads. They took a 90-80 hit to the loss column at the hands of Columbia.
Villanova might have lost, but man, Eric Dixon was a machine: he went 11 for 16 en route to 33 points plus six rebounds and three steals. The dominant performance also gave Dixon a new career-high in threes (five).
N.J. Tech must know they’re fighting an uphill battle given the 21.5-point spread they’re up against. They finished last season with a 10-16 record against the spread.
The disadvantage in the odds might be especially worrying for N.J. Tech considering the team was a sub-par 5-21 as the underdog last season. Betting on them to win was the most profitable play last year, as bettors who put $100 on that outcome in every game walked away with $725.30. On the other hand, Villanova will play as the favorite, and the team was 14-7 as such last season.
Odds
Villanova is a big 21.5-point favorite against N.J. Tech, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 21.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
The over/under is 138.5 points.
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