Xavier Musketeers (4-0) vs Iowa State Cyclones (4-0)
Game Info: Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Barclays Center)
Betting Odds: Xavier Musketeers -8 -- Over/Under: 135 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Xavier will try to remain undefeated when it faces unbeaten and much improved Iowa State at the NIT Season Tip-Off on Wednesday night.
After only winning two games last season, and firing their coach, the Iowa State Cyclones have already doubled their win total from last season. They easily covered the 15.5-point spread in the 82-47 blowout over Grambling over the weekend and Xaiver will be their first real test.
The Iowa State Cyclones are led in scoring by Izaiah Brockington who is averaging 13.5 points and 8 rebounds a game. Behind him is Tyrese Hunter who is averaging 12.8 points and 6 assists for the Cyclones.
The Cyclones are averaging 73.5 points per game on 44.4% shooting from the field. They are allowing opponents to score 57.5 points per game which is 31st in the nation.
For the Xavier Musketeers, their last game was a blowout victory against Norfolk state. They easily covered in an 88-48 win as a 16.5-point favorite. Adam Kunkel led the team in scoring with 26 points off the bench in 26 minutes of action. Guard Nate Johnson poured in 20 in the blowout effort.
Paul Scruggs leads the Xavier Musketeers in scoring with 15.8 points a game. Colby Jones is averaging 13 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest. Adam Kunkel, Nate Johnson, and Jack Nudge all average double figures in scoring for this squad.
The Musketeers are scoring 73.8 points per game on 43% shooting from the field. They are allowing opponents to score 58 points per contest. Their strength has been on the offensive glass, where they rank No. 26 with 14 a contest.
The Cyclones are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 neutral site games as an underdog and are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 neutral site games.
The Musketeers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS win and are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.
I like Xavier to get the win here but I don’t think it will be by 8. This seems like way too many points for a team that struggled to cover in their season opener. Iowa is -8 after their terrible season last year. I think they have made the necessary changes to be able to stay in this game. I’ll take a shot with Iowa State and the points.