Xavier vs. Florida State Prediction
Is underdog Xavier a good bet to cover the spread tonight when it takes on Florida State in the second round of the NCAA tournament?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Seminoles are now 6.5-point favorites versus the Musketeers after opening as a 5.5-point favorite. As for the total, the number hit the board at 151 and that’s where it currently sits at the majority of sports books.
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Xavier is just 4-6 over its last 10 games and 5-5 against the spread during that stretch, but the Musketeers came up big on Thursday evening when they knocked off Maryland in the opening round. Xavier was a 2-point underdog in that game but covered easily in its 76-65 victory over the Terps.
Florida Gulf Coast gave Florida State a game on Thursday night but the Seminoles prevailed 86-80 despite failing to cover as a 12.5-point favorite. The Seminoles have now failed to cover in three straight games dating back to the ACC tournament. The team is 6-4 straight up over its last 10 games but just 4-5-1 against the spread.
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OUR PREDICTION: Xavier is a perfect 5-0 against the spread over its last five games, is 13-2-1 against the number in its last 16 NCAA tournament games as an underdog, and is an impressive 22-5-1 at the betting window its last 28 NCAA tournament games overall. FSU, meanwhile, has been a horrible bet in NCAA tournament games. The Seminoles are 0-4 against the spread in their last four NCAA tournament appearances and are 1-5 ATS in their last six NCAA tournament games when favored between 0.5 and 6.5 points.
MARCH MADNESS PREDICTION: XAVIER MUSKETEERS +6.5