Big East foes will clash when the Georgetown Hoyas (15-10, 5-9 Big East) meet the No. 4 Xavier Musketeers (24-4, 12-3 Big East) at Capital One Arena. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 161 points with Xavier opening as a 6.5-point favorite. Action starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 21, 2018.
Xavier Musketeers vs. Georgetown Hoyas Betting Preview
The Musketeers lost to the No. 3 Villanova Wildcats in their last outing, 95-79. With 26 points on 7-for-13 shooting, Trevon Bluiett was the top scorer from either team. Villanova had a turnover percentage of 8.4 (better than their season average of 13.1). Xavier, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of making free throws (19-22; 86.4 percent).
In the Hoyas’ last game, they defeated the Butler Bulldogs, 87-83. Georgetown received a boost from Jessie Govan, who contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Hoyas had an absurd free throw rate of 0.373 (above their season average of 0.301) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.667 (above their season average of 0.515).
A focal point for the Georgetown offense is getting to the free throw line. The Hoyas rank 12th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.303), but Xavier is among the best in the nation at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 26th by yielding a FTA rate of 0.183).
Of Xavier’s 27 games with betting action, 15 have finished over the O/U total, while 11 of Georgetown’s 21 games have finished under the projected point total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Musketeers have a substantial advantage. They are 24-4 SU and 19-9 ATS, while the Hoyas are 15-10 SU and 12-9-1 ATS.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined for 187 points, well over the projected point total of 156. The Musketeers won 96-91, but were unable to cover as 15-point favorites. The Musketeers played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.500 and a superb turnover percentage of 9.1. For those same stats, the Hoyas were 0.189 and 10.9, respectively. In the victory, Bluiett led all scorers with 31 points.
Xavier Musketeers vs. Georgetown Hoyas Odds Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – Xavier, ATS Winner – Xavier, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hoyas average 4.0 blocks per game, which ranks 72nd in the NCAA. The Musketeers rank 143rd in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
- Xavier averages 5.7 steals per game, which ranks 161st in the nation. Georgetown ranks 204th in steals allowed per game (7.4).
- Xavier is 8-3 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 5 overs.
- Georgetown is 5-8 ATS at home with 7 unders and 5 overs.
- Georgetown averages 17.6 assists per game, which ranks 10th in the nation. Xavier ranks 203rd in assists allowed per game (14.6).
- The Hoyas rank 209th in three pointers attempted per game (20.4) while the Musketeers rank 286th in three pointers allowed per game (26.6).
- Xavier ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (31.5) while Georgetown ranks 101st (33.6).
Bettings Trends:
- Georgetown is 5-0 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Xavier is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Hoyas have been outscored by an average of 2.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Georgetown has defeated opponents by an average of 4.5 points.
- During their last five games, the Musketeers have scored an average of 89.4 points per game (4.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 88.0 points per game (12.6 above their season average).
