The Butler Bulldogs (14-16, 6-13 Big East) look to end a disappointing season on a high note against the No. 17 Xavier Musketeers (22-8, 14-5) at the Cintas Center Saturday at 7 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Butler vs. Xavier odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
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Despite the high-powered offense, which ranks 9th in the nation at 82.3 points per game, Xavier found a difficult challenge in Butler during the first meeting between these teams. A 69-67 Butler win after entering as 7-point underdogs was the result. With this game being on Cincinnati’s home court, the results could be very different as these teams have gone in different directions this season.
With Butler struggling to a below .500 record, the Musketeers will be able to push the pace. Something it will need to do in order to outscore Butler.
While Xavier ranks top 10 in offense, this has manifested in a below-average defense for the Musketeers, who rank 309th at 74.8 points. This should allow the Bulldogs to easily get to its season average of 65.3, which is good for only 329th.
In a battle of the dismal units, Butler will score more than its average. But Xavier will also score. This will be a higher scoring game but maybe not particularly close.
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Butler at Xavier odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Butler +625 (bet $100 to win $625) | Xavier -950 (bet $950 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Butler +13.5 (-115) | Xavier -13.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Butler at Xavier picks and predictions
Prediction
Xavier 80, Butler 68
Moneyline
PASS.
Xavier -950 is not worth the money it would cost to wager it and with Butler looking to finish its season and go home, the +625 is not a risk worth taking either.
If you want to wager this game, do so on the spread and leave the line alone.
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Against the spread
Take XAVIER -7.5 (-105).
Xavier and its offense have the ability to run Butler out of the gym.
With the Musketeers being 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games, a cover here is also a good wager against an overmatched Butler team. Scoring will be tough for a Butler team that has not been able to score all year. This will lead to a comfortable double-digit win for Xavier to close the season and head into the Big East Tournament as the No. 2 seed.
Over/Under
Take the OVER 142.5 (-115).
Xavier has gone Over the total in 6 of 8 games following a contest in which it scores 90. It is also 8-2 to the Over in its last 10 Saturday games.
As the Musketeers gear up for March, Butler will be the final sacrificial lamb for the offense.
While the offense is great, the defense is similarly as bad ranking 309th in the nation. While this will not mean Butler scores 80, it does give the Bulldogs the ability to score enough to get this one Over the 142.5 total being offered. Butler will let it all hang out, and nothing will be left behind on the floor in Cincinnati. Expect plenty of shots to go up and enough to go in for the Over to hit.
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