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The Cincinnati Bearcats (7-1) welcome the Xavier Musketeers (8-2) to Fifth Third Arena Saturday for the annual Crosstown Shootout. Tip is set for 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Xavier vs. Cincinnati odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Cincinnati, which is No. 23 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, beat the Howard Bison 84-67 Friday, closing as a 28-point favorite. It lost its first game of the season against the Villanova Wildcats before that. Cincinnati has yet to face a top-25 side and is just 1-1 against the spread (ATS) when a single-digit favorite. It is 4-4 ATS on the season.
The Musketeers beat the Morgan State Bears 119-58 Tuesday, closing as a 29-point home favorite. They are just 2-2 over their last 4 games and are just 1-2 either on the road or on a neutral court. Xavier’s most high-profile game came against No. 14 Michigan as it lost 78-53 Nov. 27. The Musketeers are 4-6 ATS on the season.
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Xavier at Cincinnati odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Xavier +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Cincinnati -375 (bet $375 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Xavier +7.5 (-105) | Cincinnati -7.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Xavier at Cincinnati picks and predictions
Prediction
Cincinnati 74, Xavier 68
Moneyline
PASS.
Both teams have been dominant at home, and Cincinnati will have that advantage. However, it is far too expensive of a favorite to take here.
Against the spread
BET XAVIER +7.5 (-105).
Xavier has had the edge over Cincinnati, winning this rivalry for 5 straight years. The Musketeers have had a single-digit spread 4 times this season and are 2-2 ATS in those.
Cincinnati has consistently won but not covered at home. It is 1-3 ATS in its last 4 home games. The Bearcats have been a single-digit favorite in two games, against Georgia Tech and Villanova, and are averaging just 70.5 points per game in those.
Considering the Musketeers’ dominance in the series and the Bearcats’ home struggles, back XAVIER +7.5 (-105).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 145.5 (-110).
One thing both sides have in common is going Under consistently. The Bearcats are 2-6 O/U this season and have allowed 60 or fewer in all but 2 games.
Xavier is 2-7-1 O/U and 0-2-1 O/U either on a neutral court or on the road. It has allowed 70 or fewer in all but 3 games. With that in mind, back UNDER 145.5 (-110).
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