Villanova vs Utah State picks, predictions for NCAA March Madness game

March Madness picks, predictions, odds for Utah State vs Villanova NCAA Tournament first-round West Region game on Friday, March 20, 2026. Who wins?

Updated March 16, 2026, 11:07 p.m. ET

No. 8 seed Villanova and No. 9 seed Utah State play Friday, March 20, in a March Madness NCAA Tournament first-round game.

The West Region game is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. MST and can be seen on TNT (stream with Sling TV).

Who will win the March Madness game and advance to the second round in the NCAA Tournament bracket?

Check out these March Madness picks and March Madness predictions for the men’s college basketball NCAA Tournament matchup.

Utah State is a 1.5-point favorite over Villanova in the game in March Madness odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Aggies are -135 on the moneyline. The Wildcats are +110. The over/under for the game is set at 146.5 points.

Watch Villanova vs Utah State on Sling

Jeremy Cluff writes: “Utah State is the lone Mountain West team in the NCAA Tournament. It will do the conference proud with an upset against Villanova in the first round.”

Dimers: Utah State 75, Villanova 73

It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives Utah State a win probability of 57%, while Villanova has a win probability of 43%.”

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ESPN: Utah State has a 51.6% chance to beat Villanova

The site gives the Wildcats a 48.4% shot at defeating the Aggies in the NCAA Tournament March Madness first-round game.

Bookies.com: Bet Utah State to cover vs Villanova

Bill Speros writes: “This number quickly moved a point to -2.5 after the open. The Wildcats carry an immense March pedigree. But injuries and wear have taken their toll. Utah State arrived to take the Mountain West regular season and tournament title with a stat profile that travels well — averaging 82.8 PPG, shooting 47%, and holding opponents to just 70.6 points.”

ESPN: Pick Utah State to win against Villanova in NCAA brackets

Jay Bilas writes: “There is no such thing as an upset in the 8-9 game, but Utah State winning would feel like one. Mason Falslev is the Mountain West Player of the Year and MJ Collins Jr. is a good 3-point shooter. This is a coin flip, but take Utah State. Either team is likely to lose to Arizona in the next round.”

Jerry Carino writes: “This should be a close game, as 8-9 matchups typically are. But the Aggies are playing better of late, healthier, and moving just one time zone instead of three. Those things can make just enough difference.”

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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Source: Utah News