NCAAB · Final

BYU Defeats Villanova in Close Contest at T-Mobile Arena

Monday, November 3, 2025, 9:30 PM ET · T-Mobile Arena

BYU Cougars 71, Villanova Wildcats 66, 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 Villanova Wildcats vs BYU Cougars?

BYU Cougars beat Villanova Wildcats 71-66 at T-Mobile Arena on November 3, 2025.

In a tightly contested matchup, the BYU Cougars secured a victory over the Villanova Wildcats with a final score of 71-66. This game took place at the T-Mobile Arena, where the Cougars showcased their home-court advantage, improving their record to 1-0 for the season while the Wildcats fell to 0-1.

BYU entered the game with a strong recent form, boasting a record of 9-1 in their last ten games. Despite a recent loss to the Houston Cougars, they had been averaging 83.1 points scored per game while allowing 74.8. Their home record was a perfect 5-0, indicating their strength at home. In their last five games, they maintained a record of 4-1, scoring an average of 80.0 points and allowing 76.2.

On the other hand, Villanova's recent form was less impressive, with a record of 6-4 in their last ten games. They had lost their previous game against the UConn Huskies and were averaging 69.0 points scored while allowing 67.3. Villanova's away record stood at 1-4, highlighting their struggles on the road. In their last five games, they managed a record of 3-2, with an average of 67.0 points scored and 65.4 points allowed.

This matchup was particularly interesting as it featured two teams with contrasting recent performances. BYU's ability to score efficiently at home was a key factor, while Villanova needed to overcome their struggles away from home. The game unfolded with both teams exchanging leads, but BYU ultimately capitalized on their free-throw opportunities in the closing moments.

In terms of scoring plays, the second half saw crucial free throws from Robert Wright III and Richie Saunders, which helped BYU maintain their lead. The final moments included a layup from Chris Jeffrey that kept Villanova within striking distance, but they could not close the gap. The Cougars' defense proved effective, limiting Villanova's scoring opportunities when it mattered most.

The market had priced BYU as the favorite for this matchup, reflecting their strong home record and overall performance. The conditions at the T-Mobile Arena were favorable for both teams, but BYU's familiarity with the venue likely played a role in their success.

Overall, this game highlighted BYU's resilience and ability to perform under pressure, while Villanova will need to regroup and address their road performance as they move forward in the season.

Leaders

PointsAJ Dybantsa21BYU Cougars
AssistsAJ Dybantsa3BYU Cougars
ReboundsRichie Saunders7BYU Cougars
PointsBryce Lindsay22Villanova Wildcats
AssistsAcaden Lewis3Villanova Wildcats
ReboundsDuke Brennan15Villanova Wildcats

Recent form

BYU Cougars

Last 10: 9-1Streak L183.1 scored · 74.8 allowed per game5-0 at home

L54-74at Houston CougarsMar 14
W96-92vs Iowa State CyclonesMar 13
W85-74vs Utah UtesMar 9
W88-85at Iowa State CyclonesMar 5
W77-56vs West Virginia MountaineersMar 2
W91-81at Arizona State Sun DevilsFeb 27
W96-95at Arizona WildcatsFeb 23
W91-57vs Kansas JayhawksFeb 19
W80-65vs Kansas State WildcatsFeb 16
W73-69at West Virginia MountaineersFeb 12

Villanova Wildcats

Last 10: 6-4Streak L169 scored · 67.3 allowed per game1-4 away

L56-73at UConn HuskiesMar 14
W67-55vs Seton Hall PiratesMar 13
L73-75at Georgetown HoyasMar 5
W80-70vs Butler BulldogsMar 1
W59-54at Seton Hall PiratesFeb 27
W81-66vs Marquette Golden EaglesFeb 22
L59-66at UConn HuskiesFeb 18
L62-75at Providence FriarsFeb 15
W73-71vs St. John's Red StormFeb 12
W80-68vs Xavier MusketeersFeb 9

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
Arizona	36-3	-	16-2
Houston	30-7	2	14-4
Iowa State	29-8	4	12-6
Kansas	24-11	4	12-6
Texas Tech	23-11	4	12-6
TCU	23-12	5	11-7
BYU	23-12	7	9-9
UCF	21-12	7	9-9
West Virginia	21-14	7	9-9
Cincinnati	18-15	7	9-9
Colorado	17-16	9	7-11
Arizona State	17-16	9	7-11
Oklahoma State	20-15	10	6-12
Baylor	17-17	10	6-12
Kansas State	12-20	13	3-15
Utah	10-22	14	2-16

Box score

Stat	Villanova Wildcats	BYU Cougars
Field goals	24-67	26-66
Field goal %	36	39
Three-pointers	10-35	5-17
Three-point %	29	29
Free throws	8-15	14-21
Free throw %	53	67
Rebounds	49	43
Offensive rebounds	17	12
Defensive rebounds	32	31
Assists	12	10
Steals	2	4
Blocks	1	5
Turnovers	11	4
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	1	0
Points off turnovers	5	17
Fast-break points	3	9
Points in the paint	24	40
Fouls	20	13
Largest lead	2	14

How the scoring went

1st Half29-35Chris Jeffrey made Jumper.
1st Half29-36AJ Dybantsa made Free Throw.
1st Half29-37AJ Dybantsa made Free Throw.
1st Half29-38Richie Saunders made Free Throw.
1st Half29-39Richie Saunders made Free Throw.
1st Half32-39Acaden Lewis made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Tyler Perkins.
1st Half32-42Kennard Davis Jr. made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by AJ Dybantsa.
2nd Half32-44Richie Saunders made Layup.
2nd Half32-46AJ Dybantsa made Layup.
2nd Half34-46Duke Brennan made Layup.
2nd Half36-46Bryce Lindsay made Layup.
2nd Half38-46Duke Brennan made Dunk. Assisted by Matt Hodge.
2nd Half38-48AJ Dybantsa made Layup.
2nd Half40-48Bryce Lindsay made Layup.
2nd Half43-48Bryce Lindsay made Three Point Jumper.
2nd Half43-51AJ Dybantsa made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Richie Saunders.
2nd Half44-51Chris Jeffrey made Free Throw.
2nd Half45-51Chris Jeffrey made Free Throw.
2nd Half48-51Tyler Perkins made Three Point Jumper.
2nd Half50-51Matt Hodge made Layup. Assisted by Chris Jeffrey.
2nd Half50-53Robert Wright III made Layup.
2nd Half53-53Bryce Lindsay made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Tyler Perkins.
2nd Half53-55Robert Wright III made Jumper.
2nd Half56-55Bryce Lindsay made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Duke Brennan.
2nd Half56-57Richie Saunders made Layup.
2nd Half59-57Bryce Lindsay made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Tafara Gapare.
2nd Half59-59Keba Keita made Two Point Tip Shot.
2nd Half59-61AJ Dybantsa made Layup.
2nd Half59-63AJ Dybantsa made Layup.
2nd Half59-65Robert Wright III made Jumper.
2nd Half59-67AJ Dybantsa made Layup.
2nd Half60-67Bryce Lindsay made Free Throw.
2nd Half61-67Bryce Lindsay made Free Throw.
2nd Half61-68Robert Wright III made Free Throw.
2nd Half61-69Robert Wright III made Free Throw.
2nd Half62-69Bryce Lindsay made Free Throw.
2nd Half64-69Chris Jeffrey made Layup.
2nd Half64-70Richie Saunders made Free Throw.
2nd Half64-71Richie Saunders made Free Throw.
2nd Half66-71Chris Jeffrey made Jumper.