Can Wisconsin slow down Xavier?
One of the featured matchups on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament has No. 2 Xavier taking on No. 7 Wisconsin at 8:40PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Xavier is the slight favorite in this game, as the Musketeers are getting odds of -4 points against the Badgers. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 136 points. These two meet as part of the East Region today from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Xavier is 28-5 overall, 5-1 on a neutral court and 20-13 against the spread. Wisconsin is 21-12 overall, 2-2 on a neutral floor and 17-16 against the spread. Wisconsin reached the second round by beating Pittsburgh 47-43 in a defensive battle. Xavier had a 71-53 win over Weber State in the opening round. These two last met in 2009 with Xavier getting a 60-49 victory.
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Wisconsin is a tough defensive team, as shown on Friday, but the Badgers are likely to meet their match in Xavier today. The Musketeers are averaging over 80 points per game on a neutral floor and they are 8-1 against the spread in their last 9 at a neutral court. Xavier is also 13-3 ATS in its last 16 against Big Ten opponents while Wisconsin is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 against the Big East. Xavier should just have too much talent for Wisconsin. The game could be low-scoring, but Xavier will find a way to win and cover.
NCAA TOURNAMENT FREE PICK: XAVIER -4
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