NCAAB · Final

Villanova Tops Xavier in High-Scoring Showdown

Saturday, March 7, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · Finneran Pavilion

Villanova Wildcats 91, Xavier Musketeers 78, 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 Xavier Musketeers vs Villanova Wildcats?

Villanova Wildcats beat Xavier Musketeers 91-78 at Finneran Pavilion on March 7, 2026.

Who was favored in Xavier Musketeers vs Villanova Wildcats?

Villanova Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -850 (about 89% implied). The favorite won.

In a compelling matchup at Finneran Pavilion, the Villanova Wildcats triumphed over the Xavier Musketeers with a final score of 91-78. This victory not only showcased Villanova's strong performance but also highlighted the contrasting fortunes of both teams in the current NCAAB season.

Villanova entered the game with a home record of 24-7 and had been in solid form, boasting an 8-2 record over their last ten games. They had recently secured a victory against the DePaul Blue Demons, winning 76-57 on March 5, which contributed to their current winning streak of one game. The Wildcats averaged 76.6 points scored per game while allowing 73.0 points, indicating a competitive offensive and defensive performance.

In contrast, the Xavier Musketeers, with a record of 14-17, had struggled recently, managing only three wins in their last ten games, resulting in a 3-7 record. Their last outing saw them lose to the Seton Hall Pirates, 68-77, on March 4, extending their losing streak to one game. Xavier's average scoring was higher at 78.1 points, but they also allowed a significant 84.6 points per game, reflecting their defensive vulnerabilities.

Historically, this fixture has been competitive, with Villanova leading the recent head-to-head record at 2-1. Earlier in the season, on February 17, Villanova edged out Xavier in a close contest, winning 92-89. In their previous meeting on February 9, 2025, Villanova again came out on top with an 80-68 victory, while Xavier had claimed a win in their first encounter of the 2025 season, defeating Villanova 69-63.

The Wildcats have performed well at home, with a 4-1 record in their last five games at Finneran Pavilion. Conversely, the Musketeers have struggled on the road, failing to secure a win in their last five away games, which contributed to their overall away record of 0-5. This disparity in home and away performance was evident in the game, as Villanova capitalized on their home-court advantage.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details about any players missing from either roster, which suggests both teams were at full strength for this crucial matchup. The absence of key players can often influence the outcome of games, but in this instance, both teams fielded their best available lineups.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Villanova favored with a spread of -11.5 and a moneyline of -850. Xavier was listed at +575 on the moneyline, reflecting the perception of their underdog status in this matchup. The total points set for the game was 153.5, with odds of -115.0 for the over and -105.0 for the under, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair.

Conditions during the game were optimal for basketball, with no adverse weather factors affecting play, as it was held indoors at the Finneran Pavilion. The atmosphere was likely electric, given the stakes of the game and the rivalry between the two teams.

Viewers of the game witnessed a variety of scoring plays, including Tyler Perkins hitting a 23-foot three-point jumper, showcasing Villanova's shooting prowess. The Wildcats maintained control throughout the game, with key contributions from players like All Wright, who made crucial free throws and a layup late in the game to seal the victory. The scoring plays highlighted Villanova's offensive efficiency, particularly in the second half, where they pulled away decisively.

Overall, this game not only underscored Villanova's strength as they head into the latter part of the season but also raised questions about Xavier's ability to compete against higher-ranked teams. The Wildcats' victory solidifies their position as a formidable force in the NCAAB landscape, while the Musketeers will need to regroup and address their defensive shortcomings moving forward.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	VILL -11.5	153.5 o -115 / u -105	Xavier Musketeers +575 · Villanova Wildcats -850

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

Leaders

PointsDuke Brennan20Villanova Wildcats
AssistsAcaden Lewis12Villanova Wildcats
ReboundsDuke Brennan13Villanova Wildcats
PointsJovan Milicevic21Xavier Musketeers
AssistsRoddie Anderson III5Xavier Musketeers
ReboundsIsaiah Walker8Xavier Musketeers

Recent form

Villanova Wildcats

Last 10: 8-2Streak W176.6 scored · 73 allowed per game4-1 at home

W76-57at DePaul Blue DemonsMar 5
L57-89at St. John's Red StormMar 1
W82-73vs Butler BulldogsFeb 26
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

Xavier Musketeers

Last 10: 3-7Streak L178.1 scored · 84.6 allowed per game0-5 away

L68-77vs Seton Hall PiratesMar 4
W91-84vs Georgetown HoyasFeb 28
L84-94at Providence FriarsFeb 26
L75-80at Butler BulldogsFeb 21
L89-92vs Villanova WildcatsFeb 17
W96-88vs Marquette Golden EaglesFeb 14
L82-87at St. John's Red StormFeb 9
L60-92at UConn HuskiesFeb 4
W68-66vs DePaul Blue DemonsJan 31
L68-86at Seton Hall PiratesJan 29

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	Xavier Musketeers	Villanova Wildcats
Field goals	27-66	35-62
Field goal %	41	56
Three-pointers	10-26	13-31
Three-point %	38	42
Free throws	14-14	8-9
Free throw %	100	89
Rebounds	28	39
Offensive rebounds	8	8
Defensive rebounds	20	31
Assists	18	24
Steals	7	2
Blocks	1	1
Turnovers	7	12
Team turnovers	0	2
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	20	2
Fast-break points	11	8
Points in the paint	24	38
Fouls	14	15
Largest lead	4	19
Lead changes	1	1
Time in front	5	93

How the scoring went

2nd Half41-54Isaiah Walker makes layup
2nd Half44-54Malik Messina-Moore makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jovan Milicevic assists)
2nd Half44-57Devin Askew makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tyler Perkins assists)
2nd Half47-57Jovan Milicevic makes 25-foot three point jumper (Malik Messina-Moore assists)
2nd Half49-57Filip Borovicanin makes driving layup (Malik Messina-Moore assists)
2nd Half51-57Filip Borovicanin makes 8-foot jumper
2nd Half51-59Duke Brennan makes layup (Devin Askew assists)
2nd Half51-61Chris Jeffrey makes 7-foot floating jump shot (Acaden Lewis assists)
2nd Half51-63Braden Pierce makes 6-foot hook shot (Acaden Lewis assists)
2nd Half54-63Jovan Milicevic makes 23-foot three point jumper
2nd Half57-63Jovan Milicevic makes 28-foot three point jumper (Filip Borovicanin assists)
2nd Half57-66Tyler Perkins makes 27-foot three point jumper (Devin Askew assists)
2nd Half57-69Tyler Perkins makes 22-foot three point jumper (Devin Askew assists)
2nd Half57-70Acaden Lewis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half57-71Acaden Lewis makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half57-74Devin Askew makes 25-foot three pointer (Acaden Lewis assists)
2nd Half58-74Jovan Milicevic makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half59-74Jovan Milicevic makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half60-74Jovan Milicevic makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half61-74Filip Borovicanin makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-74Filip Borovicanin makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-76Duke Brennan makes 10-foot floating jump shot (Acaden Lewis assists)
2nd Half62-78Acaden Lewis makes driving layup
2nd Half64-78Malik Messina-Moore makes layup (Roddie Anderson III assists)
2nd Half65-78Malik Messina-Moore makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half68-78Filip Borovicanin makes 25-foot three point jumper (Roddie Anderson III assists)
2nd Half68-81Devin Askew makes 23-foot three point jumper (Acaden Lewis assists)
2nd Half70-81Malik Messina-Moore makes 15-foot jumper (All Wright assists)
2nd Half70-82Duke Brennan makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-83Duke Brennan makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-85Duke Brennan makes 1-foot dunk (Acaden Lewis assists)
2nd Half72-85Isaiah Walker makes layup (Malik Messina-Moore assists)
2nd Half72-88Tyler Perkins makes 23-foot three point jumper (Malachi Palmer assists)
2nd Half74-88Malik Messina-Moore makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half74-89Acaden Lewis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half75-89All Wright makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half76-89All Wright makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half76-90Wade Chiddick makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half76-91Wade Chiddick makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half78-91All Wright makes layup (Jovan Milicevic assists)