NCAAB · Final

Villanova Tops Butler in Competitive Matchup

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Finneran Pavilion

Villanova Wildcats 82, Butler Bulldogs 73, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Butler Bulldogs vs Villanova Wildcats?

Villanova Wildcats beat Butler Bulldogs 82-73 at Finneran Pavilion on February 25, 2026.

Who was favored in Butler Bulldogs vs Villanova Wildcats?

Villanova Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -600 (about 86% implied). The favorite won.

In a closely contested game at Finneran Pavilion, the Villanova Wildcats secured a victory over the Butler Bulldogs with a final score of 82-73. This matchup was significant as it showcased Villanova's strong home record of 22-6 against Butler's away record of 15-14. Villanova, despite suffering a recent loss to UConn, had been performing well overall, with a 7-3 record in their last ten games and an average of 76.3 points scored per game. However, they entered the game on a one-game losing streak after their defeat to UConn.

Butler, on the other hand, was riding a two-game winning streak, having won their last two games against Xavier and Georgetown. Their recent form showed a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, with an average of 74.9 points scored and 79.9 points allowed. The Bulldogs had struggled earlier in the season, but their recent wins indicated a potential turnaround.

The game was characterized by a competitive atmosphere, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. Villanova's ability to capitalize on free-throw opportunities in the second half proved crucial. Key moments included multiple successful free throws by Devin Askew and Acaden Lewis, which helped Villanova maintain their lead as the game progressed.

Historically, Villanova had dominated this matchup, winning all three previous meetings in the 2025 and 2026 seasons. In their most recent encounter on January 3, 2026, Villanova defeated Butler 85-67, further establishing their dominance in this rivalry.

In terms of injury concerns, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams were expected to field their strongest lineups for this important game. The betting market reflected Villanova's strong position, with DraftKings listing them as 10.5-point favorites, indicating confidence in their ability to secure a comfortable win. The total for the game was set at 147.5, suggesting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair.

Conditions in Finneran Pavilion were typical for a late February game, with a lively crowd supporting the home team. The atmosphere was electric, contributing to the intensity of the matchup. Viewers were treated to a display of skill and determination from both squads, with Villanova's offensive strategy and Butler's resilience being focal points of the game.

As the game concluded, Villanova's victory solidified their strong standing in the league, while Butler, despite the loss, showed promise with their recent performances. The win probability for Villanova was recorded at 1.0, underscoring their success in this fixture.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	VILL -10.5	147.5 o -110 / u -110	Butler Bulldogs +440 · Villanova Wildcats -600

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsAcaden Lewis20Villanova Wildcats
AssistsDuke Brennan5Villanova Wildcats
ReboundsDuke Brennan10Villanova Wildcats
PointsMichael Ajayi17Butler Bulldogs
AssistsMichael Ajayi2Butler Bulldogs
ReboundsMichael Ajayi9Butler Bulldogs

Recent form

Villanova Wildcats

Last 10: 7-3Streak L176.3 scored · 72.3 allowed per game4-2 at home

L63-73vs UConn HuskiesFeb 21
W92-89at Xavier MusketeersFeb 17
W80-69at Creighton BluejaysFeb 14
W77-74vs Marquette Golden EaglesFeb 11
W80-73at Georgetown HoyasFeb 7
W72-60vs Seton Hall PiratesFeb 4
W87-73vs Providence FriarsJan 31
L67-75at UConn HuskiesJan 24
W66-51vs Georgetown HoyasJan 22
L79-86vs St. John's Red StormJan 18

Butler Bulldogs

Last 10: 4-6Streak W274.9 scored · 79.9 allowed per game1-3 away

W80-75vs Xavier MusketeersFeb 21
W93-89at Georgetown HoyasFeb 18
L56-63vs Seton Hall PiratesFeb 15
L70-80vs UConn HuskiesFeb 12
L55-70at Marquette Golden EaglesFeb 7
L87-97at Providence FriarsFeb 5
L64-77vs Georgetown HoyasJan 31
L70-92at St. John's Red StormJan 29
W87-76vs Marquette Golden EaglesJan 24
W87-80vs DePaul Blue DemonsJan 21

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
St. John's	30-7	-	18-2
UConn	34-6	1	17-3
Villanova	24-9	3	15-5
Seton Hall	21-12	8	10-10
Creighton	16-18	9	9-11
DePaul	16-16	10	8-12
Butler	16-16	11	7-13
Providence	15-18	11	7-13
Marquette	12-20	11	7-13
Georgetown	16-18	12	6-14
Xavier	15-18	12	6-14

Box score

Stat	Butler Bulldogs	Villanova Wildcats
Field goals	24-53	31-63
Field goal %	45	49
Three-pointers	3-13	10-32
Three-point %	23	31
Free throws	22-27	10-14
Free throw %	81	71
Rebounds	38	28
Offensive rebounds	10	8
Defensive rebounds	28	20
Assists	10	17
Steals	4	8
Blocks	0	1
Turnovers	14	9
Team turnovers	3	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	10	18
Fast-break points	9	14
Points in the paint	36	36
Fouls	15	19
Largest lead	5	14
Lead changes	5	5
Time in front	10	88

How the scoring went

2nd Half44-51Devin Askew makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tyler Perkins assists)
2nd Half46-51Finley Bizjack makes 9-foot jumper (Michael Ajayi assists)
2nd Half46-53Bryce Lindsay makes driving layup
2nd Half47-53Yame Butler makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-53Yame Butler makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-55Acaden Lewis makes driving layup
2nd Half50-55Jamie Kaiser Jr. makes driving layup
2nd Half51-55Jamie Kaiser Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half53-55Drayton Jones makes 3-foot dunk (Michael Ajayi assists)
2nd Half54-55Jamie Kaiser Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-57Bryce Lindsay makes driving layup (Devin Askew assists)
2nd Half55-57Finley Bizjack makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half55-59Acaden Lewis makes 8-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half56-59Yohan Traore makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half57-59Yohan Traore makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half57-62Devin Askew makes 23-foot three pointer (Duke Brennan assists)
2nd Half57-64Devin Askew makes driving layup (Acaden Lewis assists)
2nd Half57-67Devin Askew makes 25-foot three pointer
2nd Half59-67Michael Ajayi makes 15-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half59-69Duke Brennan makes 7-foot hook shot (Devin Askew assists)
2nd Half60-69Michael Ajayi makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half61-69Michael Ajayi makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-71Bryce Lindsay makes driving layup
2nd Half62-71Jamie Kaiser Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-71Jamie Kaiser Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-71Finley Bizjack makes layup (Jamie Kaiser Jr. assists)
2nd Half65-74Devin Askew makes 28-foot three point jumper (Duke Brennan assists)
2nd Half67-74Yame Butler makes layup
2nd Half67-75Bryce Lindsay makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-76Bryce Lindsay makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half69-76Yohan Traore makes 9-foot jumper (Yame Butler assists)
2nd Half69-77Bryce Lindsay makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half69-78Bryce Lindsay makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-78Michael Ajayi makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-78Michael Ajayi makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half71-79Acaden Lewis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-80Acaden Lewis makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half71-81Devin Askew makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-82Devin Askew makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half73-82Finley Bizjack makes driving layup