Xavier Musketeers (11-4) vs Butler Bulldogs (7-12)
Game Info: Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Cintas Center)
Betting Odds: Xavier Musketeers -8 -- Over/Under: 133 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Butler Bulldogs will travel to the Cintas Center to take on the Xavier Musketeers this Sunday night in College Basketball action.
The Butler Bulldogs lost their last two games and dropped to 7-12 on the season after being defeated by the Marquette Golden Eagles, 73-57, this past Wednesday night. Butler struggled offensively against the Marquette defense and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 41-25 margin. Butler shot just 33.9% from the field and 29.2% from beyond the arc while Marquette shot 44.9% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc. Butler was outrebounded by Marquette by a 41-28 margin and committed 10 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Chuck Harris who had 21 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, & 2 steals.
On the season, Butler is averaging 63.4 ppg on 41.1% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs are averaging 7.3 three-pointers per game on 33.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Butler has been led by Chuck Harris (11.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.8 apg), Jair Bolden (10.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Bryce Nze (10.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.9 apg), & Aaron Thompson (10.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.1 spg).
Defensively, Butler is allowing their opponents to average 68.0 ppg on 46.5% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs have a rebound margin of -1.7 and a turnover margin of 1.6.
The Xavier Musketeers lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 11-4 on the season after being defeated by the St. John’s Red Storm, 93-84, this past Tuesday. Xavier had no answers on the defensive end for St. John’s and could not fight back after taking an 82-73 lead with 2:24 left in regulation. Xavier shot 41.1% from the field and 27.5% from beyond the arc while St. John’s shot 51.5% from the field and 37.9% from beyond the arc. Xavier was outrebounded by St. John’s by a 42-37 margin and forced 11 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Musketeers was Zach Freemantle who had a double-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, & 1 assist.
On the season, Xavier is averaging 63.4 ppg on 41.1% shooting from the field. The Musketeers are averaging 7.3 three-pointers per game on 33.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Xavier has been led by Zach Freemantle (16.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.4 apg), Paul Scruggs (14.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.8 spg), Nate Johnson (11.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 spg), & Colby Jones (7.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.1 spg).
Defensively, Xavier is allowing their opponents to average 70.9 ppg on 40.8% shooting from the field. The Musketeers have a rebound margin of 1.9 and a turnover margin of 0.1.
The Bulldogs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall, however, are just 6-14-1 ATS in their last 21 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. The Musketeers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Butler has really struggled this season as the Bulldogs have lost 5 of their last 7 games and come into this game with just a 1-7 record on the road. Butler has really struggled at the offensive end this season as they rank just 322nd in scoring offense & 295th in FG% and between the fact that Xavier has already defeated Butler by a 68-55 margin on the road this season and I just do not see how Butler will be able to keep up with the Musketeers 51st ranked scoring offense, I’m taking Xavier to cover this large home spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Xavier Musketeers -8
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05