The No. 15 Xavier Musketeers (19-5, 11-2 Big East) take on the Butler Bulldogs (12-13, 4-10) Friday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Xavier vs. Butler odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Musketeers cruised to a 96-71 win over St. John’s Saturday to cover as 9.5-point favorites at home. Xavier is on a 2-game win streak and has won 8 of its last 10 outings.
The Bulldogs also beat St. John’s last time out, winning 68-66 Tuesday to cover as 1.5-point favorites at home. Butler ended a 5-game losing skid with the victory.
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
Xavier at Butler odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Xavier -310 (bet $310 to win $100) | Butler +225 (bet $100 to win $225)
- Against the spread (ATS): Xavier -6.5 (-115) | Butler +6.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Xavier at Butler picks and predictions
Prediction
Xavier 82, Butler 70
Moneyline
AVOID.
Betting on Xavier (-310) to win at the current odds isn’t advised despite that they should win on the road. The risk isn’t worth the reward.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Against the spread
BET XAVIER -6.5 (-115) given how the Musketeers have been playing recently. There is also a chance that Butler is without its 2nd-leading scorer, G Chuck Harris, due to a concussion.
The Musketeers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a win. The road team is also 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings between these Big East programs.
Over/Under
Xavier is scoring with ease so OVER 145.5 (-110) is the ideal choice on the total. The Musketeers average 83.8 points per game (6th in the nation), while they also give up 76 points per game (322nd).
Xavier is 4-1 to the Over in its last 5 games overall. Butler has gone Over in each of its last 4 games against a team with a winning record.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Skyler Carlin on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]