The Xavier Musketeers (16-8, 5-6 Big East) will be at Hinkle Fieldhouse to go head-to-head against the 19th-ranked Butler Bulldogs (18-6, 6-5 Big East) in a Big East matchup. Action gets underway at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, and can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
Xavier Musketeers vs. Butler Bulldogs ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Bulldogs lost big to the Marquette Golden Eagles, 76-57, while the Musketeers beat the Providence Friars, 64-58.
Xavier played a flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.200 (matching their season average) and a turnover percentage of 11.4 (better than their season average of 16.7). For those same stats, Providence had marks of 0.105 and 17.6, respectively. Butler, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (13.6 vs. 15.9). Kamar Baldwin had a good performance for Butler with 23 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Xavier was led by Tyrique Jones, who put up 14 points and 18 rebounds.
This was a highly contested series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. In the last contest, the Bulldogs won 71-66. Butler had a much better turnover percentage (12.8 vs. 19.0). Xavier, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.500 vs. 0.484). This will be the first meeting of the year between these two teams.
The Musketeers’ Jones has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 15 rebounds,13.0 points,1.8 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Baldwin has averaged 19 points,5.2 rebounds,4.0 assists during that same time frame for the Bulldogs.
Butler could dominate on the defensive side of the ball as they go head-to-head against one of the nation’s worst offenses. The Bulldogs currently rank 22nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.446), while Xavier is 254th in effective field goal percentage (0.485).
Xavier Musketeers vs. Butler Bulldogs Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Butler, ATS Winner – Xavier, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Butler ranks 14th in rebounds allowed per game (30.3) while Xavier ranks 173rd (35.6).
- The Musketeers rank 75th in blocks per game (3.8) while the Bulldogs rank 91st in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
- The Musketeers rank 169th in steals per game (5.9) while the Bulldogs rank 236th (5.0).
- Xavier ranks 179th in three pointers attempted per game (21.2) while Butler ranks 239th (19.1).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Musketeers have scored an average of 70.6 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.0 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
- The Bulldogs have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Butler has defeated opponents by an average of 7.7 points.
