{"id":41194,"date":"2026-11-10T08:47:11","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T13:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=41194"},"modified":"2026-11-10T08:47:13","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T13:47:13","slug":"la-salle-vs-villanova-predictions-picks-and-odds-november-10-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/college-basketball\/la-salle-vs-villanova-predictions-picks-and-odds-november-10-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"La Salle vs Villanova Predictions, Picks and Odds | November 10, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Philadelphia\u2019s most cherished college basketball tradition is losing one of its pillars, and the fallout is spilling directly into this <strong>La Salle vs Villanova prediction<\/strong>. Villanova has announced it will bow out of the traditional Big Five games after this season, a decision many across the Delaware Valley view as an unforgivable break from local hoops history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That kind of backlash only adds fuel to an already spirited rivalry, and the visiting La Salle Explorers will have plenty of anti-Villanova support behind them. The Wildcats are laying 23.5 points, the public money is pouring in on the favorite, and the total has climbed three full points. Before you decide whether \u2019Nova can chop through that much Main Line lumber, check out our full slate of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/free-sports-picks\/college-basketball\">college basketball picks<\/a>, then read on for the full breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Picks and Prediction for La Salle vs Villanova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Spread Pick:<\/strong> La Salle +23.5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total Pick:<\/strong> Under 159.5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Projected Final Score:<\/strong> Villanova 84, La Salle 66<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Odds and Line Movement for La Salle vs Villanova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The spread has bounced back and forth between Villanova -22.5 and -23.5 several times and currently rests at -23.5, right where it opened. The total has been far more decisive, rising steadily from 156.5 to 159.5 even though all of the public money is on the Under. Follow every adjustment with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/odds\">live odds<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Opening Odds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Team<\/th><th>Spread<\/th><th>Total<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>La Salle<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>Over 156\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Villanova<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>Under 156\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Current Odds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Team<\/th><th>Spread<\/th><th>Total<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>La Salle<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>Over 159\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Villanova<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>Under 159\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Line Movement &#8211; Spread<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>La Salle<\/th><th>Villanova<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>11\/10<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/10<\/td><td>+22\u00bd (-102)<\/td><td>-22\u00bd (-118)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/10<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>+22\u00bd (-102)<\/td><td>-22\u00bd (-118)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-118)<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-102)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>+22\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>-22\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Line Movement &#8211; Total<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>Over<\/th><th>Under<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>11\/10<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-110)<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>157\u00bd (-110)<\/td><td>157\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>157\u00bd (-110)<\/td><td>157\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-112)<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-108)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/splashsports.com\/wagertalk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WagerTalk-NFL-Pickem-20K-Promotion-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40691\" style=\"width:606px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WagerTalk-NFL-Pickem-20K-Promotion-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WagerTalk-NFL-Pickem-20K-Promotion-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WagerTalk-NFL-Pickem-20K-Promotion-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WagerTalk-NFL-Pickem-20K-Promotion-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WagerTalk-NFL-Pickem-20K-Promotion.png 1672w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">La Salle vs Villanova Key Matchups and Handicap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Villanova\u2019s Big Five Exit Adds Fuel to the Fire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Villanova\u2019s decision to leave the traditional Philadelphia Big Five games after this season has been met with boos and hisses across the region. Even Eagles-centric sports talk radio has fielded plenty of callers eager to bash the Wildcats for what many locals consider a sin on par with cheering for the Dallas Cowboys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fairness, \u2019Nova has telegraphed this move for decades, having been the first Philly program to push for moving Big Five games to home courts and campus sites and away from the venerable Palestra, except for games hosted by Penn. Regardless of the venue, covering hefty numbers in Big Five games has always been tricky, and that is before factoring in the added motivation of the anti-Villanova crowd this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">La Salle Regains Rob Dockery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest question is whether the visiting Explorers can stay within earshot, and there are reasons to believe they can. Head coach Darris Nichols regained the services of former Texas A and M transfer Rob Dockery, who passed on a portal move for another shot with Tom Gola\u2019s alma mater. Having a returning, experienced contributor gives La Salle a steadying presence as it integrates a host of new faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LAS Portal Additions Led by Kam Burton<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transfer guard Kam Burton is averaging 12 points per game and is one of several portal additions already making meaningful contributions for La Salle. The Explorers were blown out by highly-ranked Houston in their opener, but that result should not be held against them too heavily. Houston is an elite opponent, and Villanova, at least for now, does not appear to be on the Cougars\u2019 level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Villanova Searching for New Leaders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Villanova opened the season with a loss to Notre Dame, a result that raises fair questions about how polished this group is. Three double-digit scorers departed after last season, leaving Kevin Willard searching for new leaders to emerge from a mix of high-profile holdovers and portal additions. Until that hierarchy is established, it is hard to project the Wildcats as a team built to cover massive spreads with consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NOVA Forward Devin Royal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One candidate to step into a leading role is Ohio State transfer forward Devin Royal, who is averaging 13.5 points per game, right around his production level with the Buckeyes. Royal gives Villanova a reliable frontcourt scorer, but one steady contributor does not erase the uncertainty that comes with replacing three double-digit scorers in a single offseason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Explorers Can Stay Within Earshot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Villanova should have no trouble securing a comfortable win, but a spread in the mid-20s is a lot to ask from a team that already lost to Notre Dame and is still sorting out its rotation. With Dockery back, Burton contributing, and a rivalry atmosphere supercharged by local resentment toward the Wildcats, La Salle has enough to keep this margin under the number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Betting Trends: LAS vs NOVA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Villanova lost its season opener to Notre Dame.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>La Salle lost its opener to highly-ranked Houston.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Villanova lost three double-digit scorers from last season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Devin Royal is averaging 13.5 points per game for Villanova.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kam Burton is averaging 12 points per game for La Salle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Covering large spreads in Big Five games has historically been difficult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The spread opened at Villanova -23.5, moved between -22.5 and -23.5 multiple times, and sits at -23.5.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public spread betting shows 100% of the money and 75% of the tickets on Villanova.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The total opened at 156.5 and has risen to 159.5.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public betting on the total shows 100% of the money and tickets on the Under.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Injuries and Notes: LAS vs NOVA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>La Salle:<\/strong> No notable absences have been reported heading into this matchup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Villanova:<\/strong> No notable absences have been reported heading into this matchup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Roster Note:<\/strong> Rob Dockery returned to La Salle rather than entering the transfer portal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rivalry Note:<\/strong> Villanova will leave the traditional Big Five games after this season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Venue Note:<\/strong> Villanova is hosting this Big Five matchup.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ATS and Total Picks for La Salle vs Villanova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Spread Pick: La Salle +23.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Villanova should win, but 23.5 points is a steep price for a team that lost its opener to Notre Dame and is still identifying its leaders after losing three double-digit scorers. Big Five games have a history of staying tighter than expected, and La Salle brings back Dockery while adding productive portal pieces like Burton. With all of the public money on the Wildcats, the value lies with the Explorers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Total Pick: Under 159.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The total has been pushed three points above its opening number, inflating the price on a game between a Villanova team still sorting out its offensive hierarchy and a La Salle squad full of newcomers. Rivalry intensity often produces physical, grind-it-out possessions, and the Under offers value at this elevated number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">La Salle vs Villanova Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Best Bet:<\/strong> La Salle +23.5 (-115)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total Bet:<\/strong> Under 159.5 (-110)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Edge:<\/strong> A Villanova team that lost to Notre Dame and is replacing three double-digit scorers, asked to win by more than 23<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Market Signal:<\/strong> Total climbed from 156.5 to 159.5, creating value on the Under<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Score Prediction for La Salle vs Villanova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Villanova will likely enjoy a comfortable win in one of its final Big Five showdowns, with Royal leading the way. Still, La Salle has the experience of Dockery and the scoring punch of Burton to keep the margin under the massive spread, while a physical rivalry pace keeps the scoring below the inflated total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Projected Final Score:<\/strong> Villanova 84, La Salle 66<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spread Pick:<\/strong> La Salle +23.5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total Pick:<\/strong> Under 159.5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Philadelphia\u2019s most cherished college basketball tradition is losing one of its pillars, and the fallout is spilling directly into this La Salle vs Villanova prediction. Villanova has announced it will bow out of the traditional Big Five games after this season, a decision many across the Delaware Valley view as an unforgivable break from local [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":41195,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[18490,18496,18491,18493,18492,18495],"class_list":["post-41194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-college-basketball","tag-la-salle-vs-villanova","tag-la-salle-vs-villanova-basketball","tag-la-salle-vs-villanova-picks","tag-la-salle-vs-villanova-prediction","tag-la-salle-vs-villanova-predictions","tag-la-salle-vs-villanova-preview"],"basic_html":"\n<p>Philadelphia\u2019s most cherished college basketball tradition is losing one of its pillars, and the fallout is spilling directly into this <strong>La Salle vs Villanova prediction<\/strong>. Villanova has announced it will bow out of the traditional Big Five games after this season, a decision many across the Delaware Valley view as an unforgivable break from local hoops history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>That kind of backlash only adds fuel to an already spirited rivalry, and the visiting La Salle Explorers will have plenty of anti-Villanova support behind them. The Wildcats are laying 23.5 points, the public money is pouring in on the favorite, and the total has climbed three full points. Before you decide whether \u2019Nova can chop through that much Main Line lumber, check out our full slate of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/free-sports-picks\/college-basketball\">college basketball picks<\/a>, then read on for the full breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Picks and Prediction for La Salle vs Villanova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Odds and Line Movement for La Salle vs Villanova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The spread has bounced back and forth between Villanova -22.5 and -23.5 several times and currently rests at -23.5, right where it opened. The total has been far more decisive, rising steadily from 156.5 to 159.5 even though all of the public money is on the Under. Follow every adjustment with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/odds\">live odds<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Opening Odds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Team<\/th><th>Spread<\/th><th>Total<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>La Salle<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>Over 156\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Villanova<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>Under 156\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Current Odds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Team<\/th><th>Spread<\/th><th>Total<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>La Salle<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>Over 159\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Villanova<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>Under 159\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Line Movement - Spread<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>La Salle<\/th><th>Villanova<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>11\/10<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/10<\/td><td>+22\u00bd (-102)<\/td><td>-22\u00bd (-118)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/10<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>+22\u00bd (-102)<\/td><td>-22\u00bd (-118)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-118)<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-102)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>+22\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>-22\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>+23\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>-23\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Line Movement - Total<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>Over<\/th><th>Under<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>11\/10<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-110)<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>159\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>157\u00bd (-110)<\/td><td>157\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-112)<\/td><td>158\u00bd (-108)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>157\u00bd (-110)<\/td><td>157\u00bd (-110)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-112)<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-108)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-105)<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-115)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>11\/09<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-115)<\/td><td>156\u00bd (-105)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/splashsports.com\/wagertalk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/WagerTalk-NFL-Pickem-20K-Promotion-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40691\" style=\"width:606px;height:auto\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">La Salle vs Villanova Key Matchups and Handicap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Villanova\u2019s Big Five Exit Adds Fuel to the Fire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Villanova\u2019s decision to leave the traditional Philadelphia Big Five games after this season has been met with boos and hisses across the region. Even Eagles-centric sports talk radio has fielded plenty of callers eager to bash the Wildcats for what many locals consider a sin on par with cheering for the Dallas Cowboys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>In fairness, \u2019Nova has telegraphed this move for decades, having been the first Philly program to push for moving Big Five games to home courts and campus sites and away from the venerable Palestra, except for games hosted by Penn. Regardless of the venue, covering hefty numbers in Big Five games has always been tricky, and that is before factoring in the added motivation of the anti-Villanova crowd this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">La Salle Regains Rob Dockery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest question is whether the visiting Explorers can stay within earshot, and there are reasons to believe they can. Head coach Darris Nichols regained the services of former Texas A and M transfer Rob Dockery, who passed on a portal move for another shot with Tom Gola\u2019s alma mater. Having a returning, experienced contributor gives La Salle a steadying presence as it integrates a host of new faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LAS Portal Additions Led by Kam Burton<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Transfer guard Kam Burton is averaging 12 points per game and is one of several portal additions already making meaningful contributions for La Salle. The Explorers were blown out by highly-ranked Houston in their opener, but that result should not be held against them too heavily. Houston is an elite opponent, and Villanova, at least for now, does not appear to be on the Cougars\u2019 level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Villanova Searching for New Leaders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Villanova opened the season with a loss to Notre Dame, a result that raises fair questions about how polished this group is. Three double-digit scorers departed after last season, leaving Kevin Willard searching for new leaders to emerge from a mix of high-profile holdovers and portal additions. Until that hierarchy is established, it is hard to project the Wildcats as a team built to cover massive spreads with consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NOVA Forward Devin Royal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>One candidate to step into a leading role is Ohio State transfer forward Devin Royal, who is averaging 13.5 points per game, right around his production level with the Buckeyes. Royal gives Villanova a reliable frontcourt scorer, but one steady contributor does not erase the uncertainty that comes with replacing three double-digit scorers in a single offseason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Explorers Can Stay Within Earshot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Villanova should have no trouble securing a comfortable win, but a spread in the mid-20s is a lot to ask from a team that already lost to Notre Dame and is still sorting out its rotation. With Dockery back, Burton contributing, and a rivalry atmosphere supercharged by local resentment toward the Wildcats, La Salle has enough to keep this margin under the number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Betting Trends: LAS vs NOVA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Injuries and Notes: LAS vs NOVA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ATS and Total Picks for La Salle vs Villanova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Spread Pick: La Salle +23.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Villanova should win, but 23.5 points is a steep price for a team that lost its opener to Notre Dame and is still identifying its leaders after losing three double-digit scorers. Big Five games have a history of staying tighter than expected, and La Salle brings back Dockery while adding productive portal pieces like Burton. With all of the public money on the Wildcats, the value lies with the Explorers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Total Pick: Under 159.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The total has been pushed three points above its opening number, inflating the price on a game between a Villanova team still sorting out its offensive hierarchy and a La Salle squad full of newcomers. Rivalry intensity often produces physical, grind-it-out possessions, and the Under offers value at this elevated number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">La Salle vs Villanova Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Score Prediction for La Salle vs Villanova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Villanova will likely enjoy a comfortable win in one of its final Big Five showdowns, with Royal leading the way. Still, La Salle has the experience of Dockery and the scoring punch of Burton to keep the margin under the massive spread, while a physical rivalry pace keeps the scoring below the inflated total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41194"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41194\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41196,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41194\/revisions\/41196"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}