Butler Bulldogs Betting Preview

Butler had an ugly losing streak that lasted most of December and into January, but outside of that, they’re doing pretty well overall this year. The Bulldogs went 7-1 in their first eight games with a lone loss to Austin Peay among wins over Missouri State, Western Michigan, SMU, Merrimack, Northwestern, Mississippi State, and Eastern Illinois in that time. Losses to Houston, North Dakota State, Wisconsin, Marquette, UConn, Villanova, St. John’s, Providence, and Creighton followed, then wins over Seton Hall and DePaul around another loss to UConn. Following two more losses to Marquette and Georgetown, the Bulldogs have since beaten Seton Hall, Providence, and Georgetown over their last trio. That gives Butler a sub-500 record of 12-13 through their first 25 games of the season so far.

In the Georgetown game on Saturday, the Bulldogs opened up on a 46-35 advantage in the first half. Butler kept the pace from there on a 51-51 run and took the victory in the end 97-86. Pierre Brooks led the team with 30 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals. Finley Bizjack added 15 points with five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Tops off the bench was Landon Moore with his 13 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes of work.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

Over on the Xavier side, they’ve had some mixed results in the record column but haven’t done too badly outside of a rough stretch in December. The Musketeers took out Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena, and South Carolina in their first six games, then hit a 3-7 run over the next 10 outings. The wins in that time were over South Carolina State, Morgan State, and Seton Hall. Otherwise, it was losses to Michigan, TCU, Cincinnati, UConn, Marquette, Georgetown and St. John’s. Since then Xavier has gone 7-3 over a 10-game span with losses to St. John’s, Creighton, and Villanova. The wins otherwise came versus DePaul, Villanova, Marquette, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, and DePaul in succession, giving the Musketeers a 16-10 overall run through their first 26 games this year.

In the home rematch versus DePaul on Saturday, the Musketeers came out of the locker room with a 45-31 advantage. Xavier kept it up in the second half with a 40-37 run and took the eventual victory 85-68 in the end. All five starters finished the game in double-figures, led by Zach Freemantle and his 19 points, nine rebounds, and one assist in 29 minutes. Dailyn Swain added 17 points with seven boards and eight assists, while both Ryan Conwell and Dayton McKnight had 14 points each. Marcus Foster chipped in 11 points as well.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Xavier has won 12 of its last 13 games at Cintas Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Butler has lost seven of its last eight road night games against the Big East Conference.
• Butler has lost the first half in each of its last four games at Cintas Center.

Why the Butler Bulldogs will win

• Butler has won five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Xavier has lost five of its last six games following a home win.
• Butler has won the first half in each of its last six games against the Big East Conference.

Xavier vs Butler Prediction

I’ll lean toward Xavier here. The Musketeers dispatched DePaul without too much difficulty in their last outing, eventually shooting a very nice 58.8 percent from the field and 87.5 percent (21-of-24) from the line. Xavier had just nine turnovers while scoring 15 points off 13 DePaul turnovers on the other side. That makes a 3-1 run in the last four games for the Musketeers, and they’ve scored a combined 176 points in their last two outings.

As for Butler, they did well against a pretty decent Georgetown team in their last outing, shooting 57.7 percent from the field. The 14 turnovers for 19 Hoyas points got the Bulldogs into some trouble though, so they’ll have to watch the mistakes on Tuesday. Butler has scored 82 or more points in three straight games now, so this one could reach a fairly high total if both teams keep the shooting up.

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DePaul Blue Demons Betting Preview

DePaul got off to a flawless start through their first seven games this year. Since late November however, the Blue Demons have struggled in the win column. Victories over Southern Indiana, Prairie View A&M, Mercer, Duquesne, Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois and Valparaiso came in that initial opening run, then a rough 2-9 stretch featuring only wins over Wichita State and Loyola Maryland. Otherwise the losses were versus Texas Tech, Providence, St. John’s, Northwestern, UConn, Villanova, Seton Hall, Xavier and Marquette in that time. Since then DePaul is just 2-5 overall. Those wins came versus Georgetown and Seton Hall. Otherwise it was losses to Creighton, Butler, UConn, Villanova and Marquette. That gives the Blue Demons a spotty 11-14 overall record through their first 25 games this year.

In the Marquette matchup on Tuesday, the Blue Demons came into the second half with a modest two-point deficit. DePaul was outscored 34-26 the rest of the way however, leading to a 68-58 loss in the end. Tops in scoring was CJ Gunn with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes of work. Isaiah Rivera added 13 points with six rebounds and three steals, while David Thomas came off the bench for 11 points, two rebounds, one assist and five turnovers in 31 minutes out on the floor.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

Over on the Xavier side, they’ve been a mixed bag this year. The Musketeers have some nice runs in the books so far, as well as some sketchy stretches. Xavier went 8-2 in their first 10 games with losses to only Michigan and TCU among wins otherwise versus Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena, South Carolina, South Carolina State and Morgan State in that time. A 1-5 run came next with a lone win over Seton Hall among losses to Cincinnati, UConn, Marquette, Georgetown and St. John’s. Xavier is 6-3 since then though, beating DePaul, Villanova, Marquette, UConn, Georgetown and Providence. The losses otherwise were versus St. John’s, Creighton and Villanova, which gives the Musketeers a 15-10 record through their first 25 games so far this year.

In the Providence matchup on Wednesday, the Musketeers exited the locker room with a 45-30 edge. Xavier was outscored 52-46 the rest of the way but held on for the win in the end 91-82. Dante Maddox was the team’s leading scorer with his 26 points, three rebounds and one assist. Zach Freemantle added 23 points with nine boards and one steal, while Ryan Conwell had 17points with eight boards and four assists. Dailyn Swain chipped in with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes of work as well.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• DePaul has lost each of its last nine road day games against the Big East Conference.
• Xavier has won each of its last nine day games at Cintas Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• DePaul has lost the first half in each of its last nine road day games against the Big East Conference.

Why the DePaul Blue Demons will win

• Xavier has lost three of its last four day games against the Big East Conference at Cintas Center.
• Xavier has lost the first half in three of its last four home games against the Big East Conference.

Xavier vs DePaul Prediction

I’ll stay with Xavier. The Musketeers got past Providence in a road matchup without too much difficulty during their latest outing—despite giving up 53.7 percent shooting along the way. Xavier scored 21 points off 13 Friars turnovers and shot pretty well themselves (44.1 percent) in the victory. During this 3-3 run, Xavier has managed to score 71 or more points in all but one game (68 in the loss to Villanova).

The last time these teams met up back on January 11, Xavier took a 77-63 victory. The Musketeers shot well in that one (48.1 percent) and DePaul did not (39.6 percent). The 36-28 rebounding edge helped Xavier quite a bit, but both teams could stand to cut down on the turnovers during this rematch (12 apiece). The Musketeers should be able to control most facets of the game in this home matchup, so I don’t think they’ll have too many issues if they play to their capabilities.

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Can Xavier Bounce Back?

Xavier has been inconsistent at best this season, and they are coming off another loss in the last game. Xavier faced off against the Villanova Wildcats in the last game, and they scored 68 points, but the defense gave up 80 points and that led to the defeat. Xavier scored 35 points in the 2nd half, but the defense gave up 47 points, and they fell short. Dante Maddox had a strong game, putting up 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Zach Freemantle also put up 18 points, five rebounds, and one assist. 

Xavier comes into this game with a 14-10 record overall, and they have gone 12-12 against the spread. Away from home this season, they sit with a 2-7 record overall. Xavier is averaging 76.5 points, while their defense is giving up 70.5 points per game. The offense is ranked 118th in the league while the defense is ranked 147th in the league. Zach Freemantle has been the top player this season, averaging 16.6 points while shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Providence Fell Just Short

Providence is really struggling heading into this game and they have lost three games in a row. In the last game against Butler, Providence scored 81 points, but the defense gave up 82 points, and that led to the one-point defeat. At halftime, they were down two points, and even though they scored 42 points in the second half, they still couldn’t come away with a victory. Bensley Joseph put up 26 points, one rebound, and one assist. 

Providence sits with an 11-13 record overall and they have gone 12-12 against the spread. Providence is averaging 71.9 points while their defense is giving up 70.3 points per game. The offense is ranked 248th in the league while the defense is ranked 140th in the league. Jayden Pierre is averaging 12.8 points while shooting 42.3 percent from the field. In this game, the offense is going to need to get out to a fast start to put the pressure on early. 

Why Providence Will Beat Xavier

• Providence has won 53 of its last 60 games at Amica Mutual Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Xavier has lost each of its last five road night games against Conference opponents.

Providence vs Xavier Prediction

Providence at home this season sits with a 9-3 record straight up, and they are going to find success here. I don’t trust this Xaver defense, especially on the road, and they are going to really struggle to make many stops. It seems when teams make shots against them early, their defense rolls downhill and that will be the difference. Providence is averaging 71.9 points per game, and they are going well over their season average here. This game will be a comfortable victory. Back Providence against the spread. 

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Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

Xavier has been quite the choppy team in the record column so far this year, but overall they’re winning at a higher clip than they’re losing. The Musketeers kicked off the season with a 6-0 run, taking out Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena, and South Carolina. A 2-2 stretch came next with losses to Michigan and TCU among wins over South Carolina State and Morgan State. Xavier beat only Seton Hall in their next six, losing otherwise versus Cincinnati, UConn, Marquette, Georgetown, and St. John’s in that time. Since then it’s been a 5-2 run for the Musketeers. The losses have come to St. John’s and Creighton; otherwise, it’s been wins over DePaul, Villanova, Marquette, UConn, and Georgetown in that time. The result in the record column so far has been a 14-9 overall run through the first 23 games of the year.

In the Georgetown matchup back on Tuesday, the Musketeers went into the second half with a 30-26 edge. Xavier hit a 44-43 run the rest of the way and powered out the win 74-69 in the end. Leading the team in scoring was Dailyn Swain with 18 points, four assists, and six rebounds. Marcus Foster managed a double-double of 17 points with 13 rebounds and two assists, while Zach Freemantle added 17 points with three rebounds and a pair of steals.

Villanova Wildcats Betting Preview

Over on the Villanova side, their year has been pretty choppy. The good news is that the Wildcats have managed to keep their heads above the .500 mark so far. Villanova lost to Columbia, St. Joseph’s, Virginia, and Maryland in their first seven games, beating Lafayette, NJIT, and Penn otherwise. The Wildcats took out Rider, Cincinnati, Temple, and Fairleigh Dickinson before a loss to Creighton, then fell to Butler, DePaul, and UConn. It’s been a 2-5 stretch in the last seven outings with wins over only Providence and DePaul. Otherwise, the Wildcats have lost to St. John’s, Xavier, Georgetown, Marquette, and Creighton in that time, giving Villanova a 13-10 overall run through their first 23 games this season so far.

Matched up against DePaul in the Wednesday game, the Wildcats hit a three-point advantage in the first half. Villanova kept it up from there on a 30-23 stretch and took the double-digit road win in the end 59-49. Jordan Longino put up 17 points with three rebounds and two assists. Eric Dixon added 14 points with three rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Wooga Poplar managed 12 points and six boards with a pair of steals. Enoch Boakye pulled down 10 rebounds with two points in 31 minutes of work during the win as well.

Why the Villanova Wildcats will win

• Villanova has won 32 of its last 37 games at Wells Fargo Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Xavier has lost four of its last five games following a home win.
• Villanova has won the first half in five of its last six day games against Xavier.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Xavier has won each of its last 13 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Villanova has lost six of its last eight day games.
• Xavier has won the first half in each of its last 10 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Villanova vs Xavier Prediction

I’ll lean toward Xavier. This should be a pretty fun matchup though, and you could probably call it either way. The Musketeers were able to fend off a comparable Georgetown team in their last outing, shooting 51 percent from the field with a 31-24 rebounding edge. It was a sloppy game overall though, with Xavier accounting for 16 of the game’s 29 total turnovers, which translated to 14 Hoyas points. The Musketeers are going to have to watch the mistakes on Sunday in this upcoming road game.

Xavier was able to win at home 69-63 the last time these teams met up back on January 14. The Musketeers’ shooting wasn’t that great (40.8 percent) and they were outmuscled on the boards 34-28 but did get 18 points off 14 turnovers. Xavier won’t be able to count on those turnovers this time, so I’d like to see a significantly higher shooting percentage.

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Seton Hall Has Issues 

Seton Hall has had some major issues this season and they have lost eight games in a row. Two games ago against DePaul they lost 74-57 and in the last game against Butler, they ended up losing 84-54. At halftime against Butler, they were down 48-20 and they couldn’t find a way back. Seton Hall shot only 34.4 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from behind the three-point line and that led to the defeat. The only real bright spot for the offense was Prince Aligbe, who scored 17 points and six rebounds. 

Seton Hall sits with a 6-17 record overall and they have gone 9-14 against the spread. Straight up away from home, they have gone 0-7. Seton Hall on the season, is averaging 63.1 points, while their defense is giving up 69.9 points per game. The offense is ranked 360th in the league, while the defense is ranked 127th in the league. This just isn’t a very talented offensive team, and that has really hurt their chances. Isaiah Coleman has been the top player, averaging 14.6 points while shooting 38.7 percent from the field. 

Can Georgetown Bounce Back? 

Georgetown, in the last game, faced off against Xavier, and they ended up losing 74-69. At halftime against Xavier they were down 30-26 and they couldn’t bounce back in the second half on the way to the defeat. Two games ago against Butler they played a lot better, scoring 73 points, and they ended up winning by three points. Even though Georgetown shot 11.8 percent from deep, hitting only two of the shots, they still were able to come out on top. 

Georgetown sits with a 14-9 record overall and they have gone 12-11 against the spread so far this season. Georgetown is averaging 70.7 points while their defense is giving up 65.7 points per game. The offense is ranked 269th in the league, while the defense is ranked 38th in the league. Micah Peavy is averaging 14.9 points while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Why Georgetown Will Beat Xavier

Seton Hall has lost each of its last eight day games.

Georgetown has won eight of its last nine games at Capital One Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Georgetown has won the first half in eight of its last 10 home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Georgetown vs Seton Hall Prediction

Georgetown is the better team, and they are going to have no issue getting the job done here. This Seton Hall offense is averaging only 63.1 points per game, and that type of offensive output just isn’t good enough. Seton Hall is going to even struggle to get to that 63.1 points per game, and Georgetown will pull away. Georgetown has a balanced attack, and that attack will run up the score. Back Georgetown against the spread. 

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Georgetown Recap

The Georgetown Hoyas come into this game looking to add to their 73-70 win over Butler last time out to improve to 14-8 on the year. After this game, Georgetown will head home for a game against Seton Hall.

Hoyas Looking To Build Momentum

Thomas Sorber leads the Hoyas in scoring and rebounding with 14.7 PPG and 8.9 RPG while Jayden Epps has 12.3 PPG with 2.2 APG. Micah Peavy has 14.4 PPG with 5.4 RPG and 3.3 APG and Malik Mack has 13.1 PPG with 4 RPG and 4.6 APG as well to lead the Hoyas in assists while capping off the group of double-digit scorers for Georgetown so far this season. As a team, Georgetown is averaging 70.8 PPG on 45.1% shooting from the field, 30.9% from three, and 71.2% from the foul line this season.

Why the Georgetown Hoyas will win

• Georgetown has won 12 of its last 16 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Xavier has lost six of its last eight night games against the Big East Conference.

Xavier Recap

The Xavier Musketeers come into this game looking to bounce back from an 86-77 loss to Creighton last time out to sit at 13-9 on the year. After this game, Xavier will head on the road for a game against Villanova.

Musketeers Looking To Find Consistency

Zach Freemantle leads the Musketeers in scoring and rebounding with 16.5 PPG and 7.4 RPG while Ryan Conwell added 16.3 PPG with 2.2 APG and Dayvion McKnight has 10.3 PPG with a team-high 4.7 APG to lead the Musketeers in assists up to this point in the year, rounding out the trio of double-digit scorers for Xavier so far this season. Dailyn Swain’s also added 9.9 PPG with 5.1 RPG and 2.2 APG and Marcus Foster has 7.9 PPG with 4.5 RPG and 1.8 APG as well on the year. As a team, Xavier is averaging 77 PPG on 45.3% shooting from the field, 38.3% from three, and 77.8% from the foul line this season.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Georgetown has lost each of its last 11 Tuesday games against the Big East Conference.
• Xavier has won each of its last seven home games against Georgetown.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of Xavier’s last nine home games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 142+ points.
• Seven of Georgetown’s last eight games at Cintas Center have produced a total of 153+ points.

Xavier vs Georgetown Prediction

I’m on Georgetown in this game. I get the case for Xavier to be favored here, but the Hoyas for me are a team that can go toe-to-toe and match what Xavier is bringing to the table here. The Musketeers have been inconsistent in some of their recent games, and while Georgetown’s taken it on the chin in some of their recent games, this to me feels like a spread that feels a few points too big. I think this is a 3-5-point win for Xavier, so I’ll take Georgetown and the points in this matchup.

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Creighton Bluejays Betting Preview

The Creighton Bluejays are 14-6 (7-2) this season after they defeated Seton Hall by a score of 79-54 in their last game. Creighton led 38-34 at halftime and held Seton Hall to just 20 points in the second half in the win. The Bluejays shot 58.3% from the field, 42.3% on three-pointers, and 70.6% on free throws in the game. Ryan Kalkbrenner led Creighton with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Steven Ashworth added 17 points and nine assists in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Bluejays defeated DePaul by a score of 73-49 and Connecticut by a score of 68-63. Creighton has won five games in a row and they are currently third in the Big East standings. Creighton has scored 75.5 points per game and they have allowed 68.3 points per game, while also averaging 37.4 rebounds and 17.0 assists per game this season. Ryan Kalkbrenner is averaging 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, while Steven Ashworth is averaging 16.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game this year. Creighton is shooting 47.6% from the field, 75.4% on free throws, and 35% on three-pointers this season. 

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Xavier Musketeers are 13-8 (5-5) this year after they defeated Connecticut by a score of 76-72 in their last game. Xavier trailed 41-40 at halftime and they held UConn to just 31 points in the second half in the win. The Musketeers shot 47.3% from the field, 41.2% on three-pointers, and 70.8% on free throws in the game. Zach Freemantle led Xavier with 15 points and five rebounds, while Dailyn Swain added 15 points and four assists in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Musketeers lost to St. John’s by a score of 79-71 but did beat Marquette by a score of 59-57 before that. Xavier has won four of their last five games and they are currently fifth in the Big East standings with a 5-5 record. Xavier has scored 77.0 points per game and they have allowed 69.4 points per game, while also averaging 34.3 rebounds and 16.7 assists per game this season. Zach Freemantle is averaging 16.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while Ryan Conwell is averaging 16.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this year. Xavier is shooting 45.4% from the field, 78.1% on free throws, and 38.3% on three-pointers this season. 

Why Creighton will beat Xavier

• Creighton has won each of its last eight games against the Big East Conference at CHI Health Center Omaha.
• Xavier has lost each of its last four road night games against the Big East Conference.
• Creighton has won the first half in 15 of its last 16 night games against the Big East Conference at CHI Health Center Omaha.

Creighton vs Xavier Prediction 

Creighton rolls into this matchup on a five-game winning streak and they are near the top of the Big East standings, and they will be at home for this game. The Bluejays are shooting 47.6% from the field and they have scored at least 79 points in three of their last five games, while they have allowed 64 points or fewer in four straight. Xavier is coming off of a win over Connecticut and they are playing some of their best basketball of the season, but we have seen them struggle to score in their last two road games and I think the Creighton defense will be the difference maker. Take the Bluejays to cover at home. 

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UConn Huskies Betting Preview

The UConn Huskies lost to Creighton, beat Butler, and they play DePaul, Marquette, and St. John’s next. The UConn Huskies are averaging 80.8 points on 49.4 percent shooting and allowing 68.6 points on 42.5 percent shooting. Alex Karaban is averaging 15.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Solo Ball is averaging 14.2 points and 1.3 assists. Liam McNeeley is the third double-digit scorer and Tarris Reed Jr. is grabbing 7.3 rebounds. The UConn Huskies are shooting 36.8 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free throw line. The UConn Huskies are allowing 37.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.6 rebounds per game.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Xavier Musketeers lost to St. John’s, beat Marquette, and they play Creighton, Georgetown, and Villanova next. The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 77 points on 45.3 percent shooting and allowing 69.3 points on 42.3 percent shooting. Ryan Conwell is averaging 16.7 points and 2.7 rebounds, while Zach Freemantle is averaging 16.6 points and 7.6 rebounds. Dayvion McKnight is the third double-digit scorer and Dailyn Swain is dishing 2.1 assists. The Xavier Musketeers are shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Xavier Musketeers are allowing 32.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.8 rebounds per game.

Xavier vs UConn Injury Report

Xavier will continue to be without Trey Green and Lassina Traore. UConn will continue to be without Liam McNeeley due to an ankle injury.

Xavier vs UConn Prediction

The UConn Huskies have been shaky as of late, barely beating a bad Butler team, and losing to Creighton and Villanova. Not having Liam McNeeley doesn’t help. The Xavier Musketeers probably should be favored at home, where they’re 9-2 SU on the season. However, UCONN is still one of the better teams in the country, and you don’t get the Huskies as underdogs often. In fact, this will be the 11th time since 2022 where UCONN is getting points. UConn had two outright wins last month as an underdog. UCconn is also 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in its last four games against Xavier. I love getting the better team as an underdog. Give me the free bucket with the UConn Huskies on the road.

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Xavier Recap

The Xavier Musketeers come into this game looking to build on their 59-57 road win over Marquette last time out to improve to 12-7 on the year. After this game, the Musketeers will head home for a game against UConn.

Musketeers Win 3^rd In A Row

Zach Freemantle leads the Musketeers in scoring and rebounding with 16.8 PPG and 7.8 RPG while Ryan Conwell added 16.5 PPG with 2.3 APG and Dayvion McKnight has 10.4 PPG with a team-high 4.8 APG to lead the Musketeers in assists up to this point in the year, rounding out the trio of double-digit scorers for Xavier so far this season. Dailyn Swain also added 9.3 PPG with 5.2 RPG and 1.9 APG and Marcus Foster has 8.3 PPG with 4.2 RPG and 1.9 APG as well on the year. As a team, Xavier is averaging 77.3 PPG on 45.6% shooting from the field, 38.1% from three, and 78.3% from the foul line this season.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Xavier has won four of its last five night games at Madison Square Garden.

St. John’s Recap

The St. John’s Red Storm come into this game looking to build on their 79-51 win over Seton Hall last time out to improve to 16-3 on the year. After this game, St. John’s will head back on the road for a matchup with Georgetown.

Red Storm Win 5^th Straight

RJ Luis Jr. leads the Red Storm in scoring with 17.8 PPG and 6.5 RPG along with 2.4 APG while Zuby Ejiofor has 14.5 PPG with a team-high 8.2 RPG. Kadary Richmond has 10.8 PPG with 5.1 RPG and a team-high 4.8 APG to lead St. John’s in assists and Deivon Smith has 10.3 PPG with 5.5 RPG and 4.3 APG while capping off the group of double-digit scorers for St. John’s so far this season. Simeon Wilcher has 8.9 PPG while Aaron Scott has 8.5 PPG with 4.6 RPG. As a team, St. John’s is averaging 80.6 PPG on 45.5% shooting from the field, 30.6% from three, and 69.6% from the foul line this season.

Why the St. John’s Red Storm will win

• St. John’s has won each of its last 14 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Xavier has lost 14 of its last 15 games against AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Xavier’s last eight games against AP-ranked opponents at Madison Square Garden have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.
• Each of St. John’s’ last four night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at Madison Square Garden have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.

St. John’s vs Xavier Prediction

I’m on St. John’s in this game. The Johnnies for me are just the better team, especially when they’re playing at home, it’s hard to go against them. Xavier was the benefactor of some bad shooting from Marquette, but Marquette isn’t hitting a ton of threes in the conference. Neither is St. John’s, but that’s because the Johnnies don’t shoot many threes at all. I think that Xavier in a home environment runs past Xavier here and snags the win and cover.

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Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Musketeers opened up the season on a great run, but since late November they’ve been highly unsteady in the record column. Xavier hit a 6-0 start out of the gate with wins over Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena and South Carolina. A 2-2 stretch came after that with losses to Michigan and TCU amid wins over South Carolina State and Morgan State. Since then it’s been a 3-5 stretch with wins over Seton Hall DePaul and Villanova for the Musketeers. The losses otherwise have come courtesy of Cincinnati, UConn, Marquette, Georgetown and St. John’s, resulting in an 11-7 overall record so far this year.

In the Villanova matchup on Tuesday, the Musketeers came out of halftime looking up at a 32-24 deficit on the scoreboard. To their credit, Xavier fought back on a 45-31 run in the second half, eventually powering out the comeback win 69-63. Leading contributor Ryan Conwell posted a nice 34 points with four assist, three rebounds and two steals. Both Dayvion McKnight and Zach Freemantle added 10 points apiece, combining for 12 rebounds as well. Jerome Hunter provided all of the team’s bench points (three) with two assists and two steals.

Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Preview

Over on the Marquette side, they’ve been one of the more consistent teams in the nation so far this year. The Eagles have just one instance of choppy play, and quickly righted the ship afterward. Marquette beat Stony Brook, George Mason, Central Michigan, Maryland, Purdue, Georgia, Stonehill and Western Carolina in their first eight games. A 1-2 run commenced after that, featuring a win over Wisconsin in between losses to Iowa State and Dayton. Since then Marquette has taken a six-game win streak. The victories in that time came versus Butler, Xavier, Providence, Creighton, Georgetown and DePaul in succession, giving the Golden Eagles and nice 15-2 record through their first 17 games of the season so far.

Matched up against the Blue Demons in the Tuesday game, the Eagles played a close one. Marquette was down 40-39 by the break, then pushed back through overtime for a tense 85-83 victory in the end. David Joplin posted a team-high 30 points with four rebounds and two steals with two blocks. Kam Jones doubled up on 18 points with 11 assists and three steals, while Chase Ross added 15 points with five rebounds, three steals and two assists. Ben Gold chipped in with 14 point, two rebounds, one steal and one block as well.

Why the Marquette Golden Eagles will win

• Xavier has lost each of its last 14 games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Marquette has won each of its last 13 games at Fiserv Forum against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Xavier has lost the first half in each of its last 13 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Xavier has won the first half in five of its last six day games.

Marquette vs Xavier Prediction

I’ll take a stab on Xavier here. The Musketeers could use a better effort here after a sketchy first half in the Villanova game, though. Xavier ended up shooting just 40.8 percent from the field with a 34-28 rebounding deficit in that one, but capitalized on 14 Wildcats turnovers for 18 points on the way to the victory. It’s been a tough run of difficult matchups for Xavier lately (and they’re in for another one on Saturday) but overall they’re still scoring well and I think they can be competitive against Marquette.

Speaking of Marquette, they coughed up 51.6 percent shooting to DePaul in their latest win and had an ugly 46-31 deficit on the glass (11-8 offensive). The Eagles shot 42.6 percent from the field themselves, and also capitalized on mistakes with 18 points off 16 Blue Demons turnovers. Marquette has posted 72 or more points in each installment of this current six-game winning streak, but they’ve also allowed 70 or more points in four of those six games. If Xavier can get it going on the scoreboard and maintain form for the whole game, I think the Musketeers can keep the pace.

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Villanova Wildcats Betting Preview

The Wildcats opened up the 2024-25 season on a shaky run, however, they’ve been a lot more steady since late November. Villanova hit a 3-4 stride in their first seven outings, beating Lafayette, NJIT, and Pennsylvania along with losses to Columbia, Saint Joseph’s, Virginia, and Maryland in that time. The Wildcats would then hit a nice five-game win streak. The victories in that stretch came courtesy of Rider, Cincinnati, Temple, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Seton Hall in succession. Following another loss to Creighton, Villanova took wins over Butler, DePaul, and UConn before another loss to St. John’s, giving the Wildcats an 11-6 overall record so far.

In the St. John’s matchup back on Saturday, Villanova was within five points at the break with a 36-31 deficit. The Wildcats didn’t end up getting any closer than that however, trailing 44-37 in the second half on the way to an 80-68 defeat. Tops in scoring during the losing effort was Wooga Poplar with 22 points, four rebounds, and one assist. Eric Dixon added 18 points with two rebounds and three assists, while Jhamir Brickus put up 13 points, six boards and three assists in 34 minutes. Both Josiah Moseley and Kris Parker provided two bench points each.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

Over on the Xavier side, they came into the year with a nice win streak, but they’ve since taken an opposite trajectory in the record column. The Musketeers’ first six games were all wins over Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena, and South Carolina. A 2-2 run came next with losses to Michigan and TCU alongside wins over South Carolina State and Morgan State. Xavier has since gone just 2-5 in their last seven games. The only two wins in that time were over Seton Hall and DePaul. Otherwise, it’s been losses to Cincinnati, UConn, Marquette, Georgetown, and St. John’s during a difficult stretch that’s left the Musketeers with a 10-7 overall record through the first 17 games of the season thus far.

Matched up against DePaul over the weekend, Xavier got off to a nice start and held on for a much-needed victory. The Musketeers were up 38-23 by the break, then cruised on 39 second-half points for an eventual win 77-63. Leading the team in scoring with 20 points in 32 minutes off the bench was Zach Freemantle, who also provided 10 rebounds for a double-double. Ryan Conwell led the starters with 19 points, four assists, and two rebounds, while Jerome Hunter put up 10 points with six boards and two assists in 21 minutes of action.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Xavier has won nine of its last 10 games at Cintas Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• The home team has won the first half in each of Villanova’s last seven games.

Why the Villanova Wildcats will win

• Villanova has won nine of its last 10 night games against Xavier.
• Xavier has lost each of its last four night games against the Big East Conference.
• Villanova has won the first half in six of its last seven road games against Xavier.

Xavier vs Villanova Prediction

I’m sticking with Villanova, but this should be a pretty fun matchup. The Wildcats need a good bounce-back after falling to a talented St. John’s team in their last outing as well. Villanova put up a tepid 39.3 percent shooting in that one and got demolished on the boards with a 44-28 deficit (17-8 offensive). The good news for the Wildcats is that they’ve been scoring quite well for most of the year. Villanova has hit 68 or more points in 12 straight games—a 9-3 overall run.

As for Xavier, they put up a nice effort versus a middling DePaul team in their last outing. The Musketeers shot 48.1 percent from the field with a 36-28 rebounding edge but did get a little careless with ball control on 12 turnovers. Xavier has posted 70 or more points in five of the last six games themselves, so we should have a pretty hefty total here if both teams play to their capabilities.

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St. John’s Red Storm Betting Preview

The St. John’s Red Storm beat Butler, lost to Creighton, and they play Villanova, Georgetown, and Seton Hall next. The St. John’s Red Storm are averaging 81.9 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 67.1 points on 41 percent shooting. RJ Luis Jr. is averaging 16.5 points and 6.2 rebounds, while Zuby Ejiofor is averaging 14.7 points and 1.1 assists. Deivon Smith is the third double-digit scorer and Kadary Richmond is dishing 4.4 assists. The St. John’s Red Storm are shooting 30.9 percent from beyond the arc and 67.6 percent from the free throw line. The St. John’s Red Storm are allowing 34.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.7 rebounds per game.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Xavier Musketeers beat Seton Hall, lost to Georgetown, and they play DePaul, Villanova, and Marquette next. The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 79.5 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 69.5 points on 42.5 percent shooting. Zach Freemantle is averaging 16.8 points and 7.7 rebounds, while Ryan Conwell is averaging 16.3 points and 2.9 rebounds. Dayvion McKnight is the third double-digit scorer and Marcus Foster is dishing 2.2 assists. The Xavier Musketeers are shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc and 77.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Xavier Musketeers are allowing 35 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.6 rebounds per game.

Xavier vs St. John’s Injury Report

Xavier will be without Lassina Traore, while Trey Green is questionable with an undisclosed issue. St. John’s will be without Brady Dunlap, while Jaiden Glover is questionable with a wrist injury.

Xavier vs St. John’s Prediction

The Xavier Musketeers are in a funk right now, with losses in four of their last five games. Xavier looked awful offensively against Georgetown, and I question if this group can turn things around. The St. John’s Red Storm have been an above-average team at both ends of the floor up to this point, and they could have won in nine of their last 10 games if they finished against Creighton. St. John’s could easily have two road wins already. The Red Storm are solid and if Xavier isn’t ready to play, this will be another loss. I’ll lay the bucket with St. John’s on the road.

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Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Xavier Musketeers beat Seton Hall, lost to Marquette, and they play St. John’s, DePaul, and Villanova next. The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 80.6 points on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 69.5 points on 42.4 percent shooting. Zach Freemantle is averaging 16.9 points and 7.7 rebounds, while Ryan Conwell is averaging 16.6 points and 2.9 rebounds. Dayvion McKnight is the third double-digit scorer and Marcus Foster is dishing 2.4 assists. The Xavier Musketeers are shooting 40.6 percent from beyond the arc and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Xavier Musketeers are allowing 35.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.5 rebounds per game.

Georgetown Hoyas Betting Preview

The Georgetown Hoyas beat Coppin State and Seton Hall, and they play Marquette, UConn, and St. John’s next. The Georgetown Hoyas are averaging 76.2 points on 47.8 percent shooting and allowing 63 points on 38.3 percent shooting. Jayden Epps is averaging 15.9 points and 2.2 rebounds, while Thomas Sorber is averaging 15.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. Micah Peavy is the third double-digit scorer and Malik Mack is grabbing 4.4 rebounds. The Georgetown Hoyas are shooting 31.8 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free throw line. The Georgetown Hoyas are allowing 32.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.3 rebounds per game.

Georgetown vs Xavier Injury Report

Georgetown will continue to be without Julius Halaifonua. Jayden Epps is questionable for the Hoyas. Seeing Epps on the injury report isn’t ideal when you consider he’s second for Georgetown in minutes and points. Epps has scored at least 15 points in each of his last five games.

Xavier won’t have Zach Freemantle or Lassina Traore. Trey Green is questionable for the Musketeers. Green has played in nine games this season, getting spot minutes here and there. Green’s breakthrough performance came against Siena back in November, where he scored 14 points in 17 minutes.

Why the Georgetown Hoyas will win

• Georgetown has won each of its last seven home games.
• Xavier has lost each of its last three road games.
• Georgetown has won the first half in each of its last seven home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Georgetown vs Xavier Prediction

You have to know the status of Jayden Epps before betting on this game, as he’s a major factor for Georgetown. It would be a huge blow if Epps isn’t able to play. I’m assuming the Hoyas are favored because oddsmakers believe Epps is going to play. If that’s the case, I’ll roll with Georgetown. Xavier has had issues against good teams this season and is 0-3 SU on the road. Georgetown has found its groove as of late, with four straight wins, which includes beating Syracuse and Creighton. It might be time to say Georgetown is good? Georgetown is also 7-3 ATS on the season.

The line isn’t crazy, but the status of Epps is worth monitoring. I’ll lay the bucket with the road team on Friday night.

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Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Xavier Musketeers are 8-5 (0-2) this season after they lost to Marquette by a score of 72-70 in their last game. Xavier trailed 27-22 at halftime, but they did score 48 points in the second half in the loss. The Musketeers shot 46.2% from the field, 31.6% on three-pointers, and 80% on free throws in the game. Marcus Foster led Xavier with 16 points and three assists, while Jerome Hunter added 15 points and five rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Musketeers lost to UConn by a score of 94-89 and Cincinnati by a score of 68-65. Xavier has lost five of their last seven games, after winning their first six games of the year. Xavier has scored 79.6 points per game and they have allowed 69.3 points per game, while also averaging 35.9 rebounds and 17.5 assists per game this season. Ryan Conwell is averaging 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, while Dayvion McKnight is averaging 11.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game this season. Xavier is shooting 46.9% from the field, 78.6% on free throws, and 40.1% on three-pointers this year. 

Seton Hall Pirates Betting Preview

The Seton Hall Pirates are 5-8 (0-2) this year after they lost to Georgetown by a score of 61-60 in their last game. Seton Hall trailed 32-23 at halftime but did score 37 points in the second half and nearly came back for the win. The Pirates shot 29.9% from the field, 12.5% on three-pointers, and 73.9% on free throws in the game. Isaiah Coleman led Seton Hall with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Dylan Addae-Wusu added nine points and five rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Pirates lost three games in a row against Villanova, Rutgers, and Oklahoma State. Seton Hall has lost six of their last eight games, including two conference games against Georgetown and Villanova, and they are last in the Big East. Seton Hall has scored 60.8 points per game and they have allowed 61.5 points per game, while also averaging 34.5 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game this season. Isaiah Coleman is averaging 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, while Chaunce Jenkins is averaging 11.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game this season. Seton Hall is shooting 39.7% from the field, 61.8% on free throws, and 33% on three-pointers this year. After this game, Seton Hall will take on the DePaul, Providence, Butler, and St. John’s.

Why Xavier will beat Seton Hall

• Xavier has won each of its last 11 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Seton Hall has lost each of its last four games.
• Xavier has won the first half in each of its last eight day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why Seton Hall Will Beat Xavier

• Xavier has lost six of its last seven day games against the Big East Conference.
• Xavier has lost the first half in six of its last seven day games against the Big East Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Xavier’s last 12 games against Conference opponents has produced a total of 138+ points.
• Eight of Seton Hall’s last nine games at Cintas Center have produced a total of 142+ points.

Xavier vs Seton Hall Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this matchup after losing their first two conference games of the season, so they will be looking to pick up a much-needed win here. Xavier has played some tough competition recently and they have lost by just 2, 5 (OT), and 3 points against Marquette, UConn, and Cincinnati. Seton Hall has lost four games in a row against some mediocre competition. 

The Pirates have been pretty low scoring this season, as they averaging just 60.8 points per game and they are shooting 39.7% from the field. On the other side, Xavier is scoring nearly 80 points per game and shooting 46.9% from the field. I do like how Xavier has played in their recent games, regardless of the results, but I am taking the under here, as Seton Hall continues to have issues scoring. 

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Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Preview

Marquette took out Stony Brook, George Mason, Central Michigan, Maryland, Purdue, Georgia, Stonehill and Western Carolina during an 8-0 start. It’s been a 2-2 run since then with losses to Iowa State and Dayton mixed with wins over Wisconsin and Butler.

In the Butler game on Wednesday, the Eagles were down 35-32 going into the second half. Marquette came back with a flurry on a 48-35 run and took the win 80-70. Kam Jones was the leading team scorer on 23 points and seven boards.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

Over on the Xavier side, they beat Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena and South Carolina in their first six. It’s been a 2-4 run since then with losses to Michigan, TCU, Cincinnati and UConn, however.

On Wednesday versus UConn, the Musketeers were up by one point at the break and eventually needed overtime to decide a 94-89 defeat. Ryan Conwell topped the team in the losing effort with 23 points and three rebounds.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Xavier has won each of its last seven games at Cintas Center.
• Marquette has lost three of its last four games at Cintas Center.
• Xavier has won the first half in each of its last six games at Cintas Center.

Why the Marquette Golden Eagles will win

• Xavier has lost each of its last 13 games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Marquette has won each of its last 11 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Xavier has lost the first half in each of its last 12 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.

Xavier vs Marquette Prediction

I’ll lean toward Marquette here, but you could make a good case either way. The Eagles started slowly versus Butler in their last outing but eventually persevered on a 38-27 rebounding edge and just two turnovers. The shooting wasn’t that great, though—Marquette put up just 6-of-30 (20 percent) from outside. That said, the Eagles’ offense hasn’t been an issue this year; they’ve scored 70 or more points in 11 of 12 games so far.

As for Xavier, they couldn’t handle a resurgent UConn team in overtime during their last outing. The Musketeers shot very well (50 percent) but got outmuscled on the boards 35-27. Rebounding is going to be key for Marquette here—especially if they’re going through shooting lulls. The Eagles should have a solid cover shot if they control the boards.

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Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Xavier Musketeers beat Morgan State, lost to Cincinnati, and they play Marquette, Seton Hall and Georgetown next. The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 79.7 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 66.9 points on 41.6 percent shooting. Zach Freemantle is averaging 16.9 points and 7.7 rebounds, while Ryan Conwell is averaging 16.5 points and 2.7 rebounds. Dayvion McKnight is the third double-digit scorer and Dailyn Swain is dishing 2.5 assists. The Xavier Musketeers are shooting 39.4 percent from beyond the arc and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Xavier Musketeers are allowing 35.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.4 rebounds per game.

UConn Huskies Betting Preview

The UConn Huskies beat Gonzaga and Texas, and they play Butler, DePaul and Providence next. The UConn Huskies are averaging 83.6 points on 50 percent shooting and allowing 65 points on 40.7 percent shooting. Alex Karaban is averaging 15.6 points and 5 rebounds, while Liam McNeeley is averaging 13.6 points and 2.1 assists. Solo Ball is the third double-digit scorer and Tarris Reed Jr. is grabbing 8 rebounds. The UConn Huskies are shooting 35.4 percent from beyond the arc and 77.1 percent from the free throw line. The UConn Huskies are allowing 37.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.3 rebounds per game.

Why the Connecticut Huskies will win

• Connecticut has won each of its last 14 games at XL Center.
• Xavier has lost each of its last 12 games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Connecticut has won the first half in 14 of its last 15 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

UConn vs Xavier Prediction

This could be a letdown spot for UCONN after wins over Gonzaga and Texas, but they’re also a well coached team that seems to rack up wins and covers dating back to the last two seasons. Also, UCONN played Baylor and Texas before Gonzaga, and there hasn’t been a drop-off yet. The Xavier Musketeers are coming off a physical game against Cincinnati, and the offensive effort comes and goes. UCONN cashes tickets. I’ll lay the points with the Huskies.

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Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Xavier Musketeers beat Morgan State, lost to TCU, and they play UCONN, Marquette, and Seton Hall next. The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 81.1 points on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 66.7 points on 42 percent shooting. Zach Freemantle is averaging 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds, while Ryan Conwell is averaging 16.4 points and 2.4 rebounds. Dayvion McKnight is the third double-digit scorer and Dailyn Swain is dishing 2.7 assists. The Xavier Musketeers are shooting 40.1 percent from beyond the arc and 77 percent from the free-throw line. The Xavier Musketeers are allowing 36.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.4 rebounds per game.

Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Bearcats lost to Villanova, beat Howard, and they play Dayton, Grambling, and Kansas State next. The Cincinnati Bearcats are averaging 82 points on 51.7 percent shooting and allowing 59 points on 37.6 percent shooting. Simas Lukosius is averaging 16.3 points and 3.6 assists, while Jizzle James is averaging 13.6 points and 3.9 rebounds. Dillion Mitchell is the third double-digit scorer and Dan Skillings Jr. is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Cincinnati Bearcats are shooting 39.3 percent from beyond the arc and 59.4 percent from the free throw line. The Cincinnati Bearcats are allowing 28.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Cincinnati Bearcats will win

• Cincinnati has won each of its last 21 games against non-conference opponents at Fifth Third Arena.
• Xavier has lost each of its last 11 games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Xavier has lost the first half in each of its last 10 day games against AP-ranked opponents.

Cincinnati vs Xavier Prediction

The Cincinnati Bearcats are the better team and should be favored, as they’re still great defensively, but this year’s squad has bitten offensively. Xavier has also lost both of its tests this season against TCU and Michigan. With that said, this is a heated rivalry and if there’s a game Xavier is going to show up, it’s this one. Xavier has also won 8 of the last 10 games against Cincinnati. Lots of points in a rivalry spot. Give me the Musketeers and the points.

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How Does Morgan State Bounce Back

Morgan State in the last game faced off against Bowling Green and they scored 102 points on the way to the way to the 21-point victory. Kameron Hobbs had a strong game putting up 12 points, two rebounds, and one assist. Will Thomas had a strong game putting up 19 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Morgan State on the season is averaging 84.3 points while their defense is giving up 77 points per game. The offense is ranked 32nd in the league while the defense is ranked 305th. Wynston Tabbs is averaging 16.8 points shooting 45.8 percent from the field.

Xavier Looks to Bounce Back

Xavier has two losses on the season and they are coming off a loss in the last game. Xavier faced off against TCU on the road and they were defeated by four points. At halftime, they were down 37-29 and although they fought back they still ended up falling short. Xavier had three different players that put up at least 12 points. Zach Freemantle had a strong game putting up 16 points, six rebounds, and one assist. Xavier, on the season, is averaging 76.9 points while their defense is giving up 67.7 points per game. Ryan Conwell is averaging 16.6 points while shooting 43.1 percent from the field. 

Why Xavier Will Beat Morgan State

• Morgan State has lost each of its last eight road night games against non-conference opponents.
• Xavier has won 14 of its last 15 games at Cintas Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Morgan State has lost the first half in 16 of its last 19 road night games against non-conference opponents.

Xavier vs Morgan State Prediction

Morgan State struggled in the last game and it’s going to be much of the same here. Morgan State gave up 102 points and that is a big problem heading into this game. Xavier is averaging 76.9 points per game and they are going to go well over that here. Morgan State’s offense is going to have no answer here, and it’s going to be Xavier who is going to cruise here. Back Xavier against the spread. 

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Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

The Musketeers are off to a nice start this year, with only one blemish—a 78-53 blowout loss to Michigan—on the card so far. Otherwise it’s been wins over Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena, South Carolina and South Carolina State.

In the Bulldogs game on Sunday, the Musketeers held a six-point edge going into halftime. Xavier was outscored 42-39 from there but held on for a 71-68 win. Zach Freemantle put up 17 points with seven boards in the victory.

TCU Horned Frogs Betting Preview

Over on the Frogs’ side, they won four of their first five games this year over Florida A&M, Florida Gulf Coast, Texas State and Alcorn State (with a loss to Michigan). In the last pair it’s been losses to Santa Clara and Colorado State, though.

TCU held a 32-31 deficit heading into the locker room during Friday’s matchup with the Rams. The Frogs caught up in the second but eventually lost 76-72 in overtime. Frankie Collins was the team’s top scorer on 18 points and eight rebounds with five steals.

TCU vs Xavier Prediction

I’m staying with Xavier. The Musketeers had a bit of trouble shaking off a pesky South Carolina State team in their last matchup. Xavier committed 16 turnovers in a sloppy overall game (34 total turnovers) and got out-rebounded 32-29 but still found a way to get the win. (SC State’s seven missed free throws didn’t hurt.) It was a nice recovery after a season-low in points (53) versus Michigan. Otherwise the Musketeers have hit 71 or more points in every game.

As for TCU, they shot a rough 33.9 percent from the field with 13 turnovers and a 44-38 rebounding disadvantage in their overtime loss to Colorado State. It was the Frogs’ third loss in four games, and in each of those losses they’ve been below 67 points in regulation. TCU is going to need a big offensive push to power out the win/cover here, and I’m not sure they’ve got the gas to do it. It’ll be a fun matchup to watch regardless, though. 

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How Does South Carolina State Bounce Back?

South Carolina State in the last game faced off against Marshall and the the offense only scored 53 points on the way to the defeat. At halftime, they were down 46-21, and in the second half even though they were a little more competitive, they still ended up losing. Drayton Jones had a strong game putting up 10 points and four rebounds. South Carolina State on the season is averaging 78.3 points while their defense is giving up 68.6 points per game. In this game, the offense is going to need to be good, or they aren’t going to have a chance here.

Xavier Fell Short

Xavier really struggled in the last game. Xavier scored 53 points but the defense gave up 78 points and that led to the defeat. Ryan Conwell had a strong game putting up 19 points and four rebounds. Zach Freemantle also had a strong game putting up 14 points and 10 rebounds. Xavier overall this season is averaging 78.4 points while their defense is giving up 66.4 points per game. They are shooting 45.7 percent from the field while holding opponents to only 42.7 percent from the field. 

Why Xavier Will Beat South Carolina State 

• Xavier has won each of its last 10 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• South Carolina State has lost each of its last 15 Sunday games against non-conference opponents.
• South Carolina State has lost the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.

Xavier vs South Carolina State Prediction 

Overall this season, Xavier is averaging 78.4 points per game, and they are going to have no issue running up the score again in this game. South Carolina State is averaging 78.3 points per game, but against Xavier, it’s not going to be that successful. Look for South Carolina State’s defense to be awful, and it’s going to be a blowout victory by Xavier here. Back Xavier against the spread. This is one of my favorite plays on the board and should end up being an easy win. 

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