Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Villanova Wildcats: Odds, Analysis, Betting Pick

The fourth-ranked Villanova Wildcats (8-0) will look to remain undefeated when they take on the 12th-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-1) on Tuesday in the Jimmy V Classic as solid favorites at the sportsbooks.

The Wildcats will get their biggest test of the season against the Bulldogs, last year's NCAA finalists who have won three in a row since suffering their lone loss to the fifth-ranked Florida Gators.

Point spread: The Wildcats opened as four-point favorites; the total is at 148, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College basketball betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 80.5-71.8, Wildcats (College basketball picks on every game)

Why the Bulldogs can cover the spread

Gonzaga's loss to Florida came in double overtime, so this team could easily be unbeaten as well.

The Bulldogs led the Gators 36-29 at halftime before falling 111-105, and their offense should be able to keep them competitive against the Wildcats here.

In last Friday's 91-74 win over the Creighton Bluejays, they overcame a 44-37 halftime deficit behind three starters who scored more than 20 points in Killian Tillie (22), Zach Norvell (21) and Silas Melson (21).

William Mancebo/Getty Images

Norvell missed all five shots he took from the field in the first half and then hit 7-of-8 in the second, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. Gonzaga was outscored 36-30 from beyond the arc but still won easily.

Why the Wildcats can cover the spread

Villanova is 5-2-1 against the spread this season, including 3-0-1 in the last four games.

The Wildcats just got done beating up a pair of fellow Philadelphia schools in the Pennsylvania Quakers and St. Joseph's Hawks by a combined 69 points to easily cover against both of them.

The Wildcats improved their winning streak to 20 straight over Big 5 rivals in Philadelphia and knocked down a school-record 19 three-pointers in a 94-53 rout of St. Joe's on Saturday.

Smart betting pick

This matchup will come down to experience, and Villanova has more of it now. Norvell is just a freshman, and he will be going up against a veteran backcourt led by Jalen Brunson who won a national championship with the Wildcats two years ago.

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

It is hard to argue which team has played better so far, although Gonzaga probably has a slight edge there.

Regardless, Villanova has a huge following in the New York City area and should have a home-court edge at Madison Square Garden. Back the Wildcats.

College basketball betting trends

Gonzaga is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games.

Villanova is 5-0 SU in its last five games.

Villanova is 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven games.

All college basketball odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.