Offense meets defense when the No. 21 Xavier Musketeers (6-1) welcome the No. 11 Cincinnati Bearcats (4-0) to Cintas Center. The game starts at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2, 2017.
Xavier opened as a 2-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 146.5 points.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Xavier Musketeers ATS Prediction
In the Bearcats’ last outing, they blew out the Alabama State Hornets, 83-51. The Bearcats made 19 of their 26 free throws (73.1 percent), while the Hornets had a turnover percentage of 25.7 (above their season average of 19.1). Cincinnati received a boost from Gary Clark, who was the game’s leading scorer with 14 points on 3-for-6 shooting.
The Musketeers defeated the No. 16 Baylor Bears in their last outing, 76-63. The Musketeers knocked down 18 of their 23 free throws (78.3 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 41.2 (above their season average of 27.9). With 19 points and six rebounds, Xavier’s J.P. Macura played well.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Xavier takes on the stingy defense of Cincinnati. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, the Musketeers rank 38th in offensive efficiency, while the Bearcats are seventh in defensive efficiency. Ball security should be an advantage for the Bearcats. They rank 8th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.4 percent), while the Musketeers have forced the 59th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.3 percent).
The Bearcats are 33-5 straight up (SU) and 20-17-1 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Just over half of Cincinnati games have finished under the projected point total since last season.
On the other hand, the Musketeers, have records of 27-14 SU and 24-20 ATS since last season. Just over half of Xavier’s games have finished under the O/U total over that same time frame.
The Bearcats won the only contest against the Musketeers last season, 86-78. The Bearcats had a much better turnover percentage (9.5 vs. 15.4) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (48.7 vs. 36.1).
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Xavier Musketeers Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Xavier, ATS Winner – Xavier, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
Cincinnati ranks first in steals allowed per game (3.8) while Xavier ranks 182nd (6.5).
The Bearcats rank 22nd in blocks per game (5.1) while the Musketeers rank 200th (2.8).
Cincinnati ranks 29th in assists per game (16.2) while Xavier ranks 182nd in assists allowed per game (13.4).
The Bearcats rank 125th in three pointers allowed per game (20.5) while the Musketeers rank 225th (22.5).
Xavier ranks 16th in rebounds allowed per game (31.1) while Cincinnati ranks 33rd (32.1).
