Baylor vs. Xavier Pick
Two ranked teams collide later tonight when No. 21 Xavier plays host to No. 16 Baylor at 6:30PM ET. Which team will prevail?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Xavier is favored in today’s game, as the Musketeers are getting odds of -4.5 points against Baylor. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 143.5 points. Tonight’s game takes place from the Cintras Center in Cincinnati, Ohio and will air live on FS1.
Baylor is coming off a 65-59 win over Creighton a week ago to improve to 5-0 on the season. The Bears have covered in their two lined games this season as well. Baylor is averaging 78 points per game this year while holding opponents to 59.4 points per contest. Manu Lecomte is putting up 19 points and 3.4 assists per fame to lead the team while Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. is adding 14 points and 11.2 rebounds per game.
Xavier is coming off a 102-86 loss at Arizona State last weekend to fall to 5-1 on the season. The Musketeers are also 5-1 against the spread, failing to cover in the loss to ASU. Xavier is averaging 91.2 points per game on offense while allowing 70 points per game on defense. Trevon Bluiett is leading the team with 21.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. J.P. Macura is adding 13.8 points, 5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest.
Baylor has won three straight meetings with Xavier, covering the spread in two of the three meetings. Baylor has also covered in five straight against Big East opponents and in nine of their last 12 non-conference games. The Bears are also 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 road games. Xavier is just 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 against Big 12 opponents. The public betting is siding with Xavier tonight, but I think Baylor is getting the job done tonight.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: BAYLOR +4.5