The Pitt Panthers (24-11) battle the Xavier Musketeers (26-9) Sunday in the Round of 32 matchup from Greensboro Coliseum. Tip is set for 12:10 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Pitt vs. Xavier odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
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The 11th-seeded Panthers earned an at-large bid, but had to play in the First Four. They beat 11-seed Mississippi State 60-59 as a 2.5-point underdog. They then took down No. 6 Iowa State 59-41 as a 4-point underdog. The Panthers are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) in postseason play.
The No. 3 Musketeers barely beat 14-seed Kennesaw State 72-67, but failed to cover as a 12-point favorite. Xavier is just 1-3 ATS in postseason play with the Under hitting in its last 3. The Musketeers are led by G Souley Boum, who is averaging 16.5 points per game.
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Pitt vs. Xavier odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 11:06 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pitt +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Xavier -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pitt +5.5 (-115) | Xavier -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 152.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Pitt vs. Xavier picks and predictions
Prediction
Xavier 77, Pitt 71
Moneyline
AVOID.
The Musketeers got by a scare in the 1st round while Pitt abused the Cyclones. Nonetheless, backing the underdog at +180 here doesn’t make much sense given its season-long non-conference struggles.
Against the spread
LEAN XAVIER -5.5 (-115).
Xavier shot just 17% from deep against Kennesaw State, and for one of the 18 teams in the nation averaging more than 80 points per game that’s unlikely to occur again. The Musketeers should bounce back offensively, especially against the Panthers, who rank 174th in opponents’ points per game.
Pitt is 3-1 ATS in postseason play, and it has yet to cover in a loss. Pitt also had brutal early-season losses to West Virginia by 25, VCU by 4, Michigan by 31, and Vanderbilt by 1.
While Pitt has been hot, expect some regression here, and back XAVIER -5.5 (-115).
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Over/Under
BET UNDER 152.5 (-115).
Pitt has gone Under in both tournament games and has yet to score more than 60 in a postseason game. Xavier’s offense is why this total is so high, but it has gone Under in 3 straight games and has scored under 75 in its last 2. Xavier is 4-7 O/U in its last 11 games.
Xavier also gave up just 6 points in the last 9 minutes of its game against Kennesaw State. It can turn it up defensively, and that energy after a close battle should be there from the start. Back the UNDER 152.5 (-115).
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