Xavier vs Butler Prediction College Basketball Picks 3/13/24

Butler (18-13) vs Xavier (15-16)

Game Info: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 4:00 pm (Madison Square Garden)

Betting Odds: Butler +1 -- Over/Under: 151.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Butler Bulldogs and the Xavier Musketeers will meet in the first round of the Big East Tournament this Wednesday in New York City from Madison Square Garden on FS1. Xavier enters as narrow favorites, with the total hovering 150.5. Stay tuned for our Xavier vs Butler Prediction. 

Xavier Preview: Can the Musketeers Keep Their Season Alive?

Xavier closed at 15-16 after losing to Marquette in Cincinnati, 86-80. The Musketeers had their rally shortened by the Golden Eagles, and they’ll now look to avoid an early exit here against the Bulldogs. Xavier is scoring 76.0 points per game, on 43.4% shooting, while allowing 69.5 ppg, and they’re 4-6 over their last ten games.

Xavier Team Profile

  • Sean Miller’s group moves at a respectable pace, averaging 73.4 possessions per game (53rd), but they’ve been able to knock down 34.5% of their threes.
  • Rice transfer Quincy Olivari poured in a game-high 32 points in the Marquette matchup, and he leads Xavier in scoring (19.5), while grabbing 5.5 rpg.
  • Sophomore guard Desmond Claude led the way with a career-best 36 points in the win over Georgetown, and he’s second on the team at 16.0 ppg.
  • Veteran guard Dayvion McKnight scored 20 points in the January 16th win over Butler, and he’s first on the team in assists (5.0), while scoring 12.4 ppg.
  • Former North Texas forward Abou Ousmane grabbed 10 boards in the March 6th loss to the Bulldogs, and he leads the Musketeers in rebounding (6.5), while adding 6.8 ppg.

Butler Preview: Will an Extended Run at MSG Boost the Bulldogs Bubble Chances?

Butler finished at 18-12 after defeating Xavier in Indianapolis, 72-66. The Bulldogs used a fast start to beat the Musketeers on Senior Night, and they’ll look to replicate those results here in round one. Butler is scoring 81.6 points per game, on 49.4% shooting, while allowing 72.7 ppg, and they’re 4-6 over their previous ten games.

Butler Team Profile

  • Thad Matta’s team plays at a solid pace, averaging 72.5 possessions per game (81st), and they’ve been able to connect on 35.5% of their three-point attempts.
  • Michigan St. transfer Pierre Brooks II went for a game-high 22 points in the January loss to Xavier, and he leads Butler in scoring (14.8), while grabbing 4.0 rpg.
  • Montreal native Jahmyl Telford went for a game-high 18 points in home finale win over the Xavier, and he’s second on the team at 13.6 ppg and 4.9 rpg.  
  • Former Irvine guard DJ Davis led the way with 24 points in the DePaul victory, and he’s averaging an identical 13.6 ppg. 
  • Senior center Jalen Thomas grabbed 10 rebounds versus the Musketeers last week, and he  leads the Bulldogs in boards (6.1), while scoring 7.5 ppg.

Xavier vs Butler Trends

  • Xavier leads the current series, 46-26, but Butler has won three of the last five meetings.  
  • XAV is 15-16 against the spread, with a 17-14 O/U record
  • BUT is 14-16 ATS, with a 14-16 over/under record.

Xavier vs Butler Prediction

This will be one of the toughest calls of the day, as neither school has done much to separate themselves from the pack thugs season. It’s been a down year for Xavier, and with Butler actually showing sides of improvement under Thad Matta this season. The Bulldogs won the latest matchup a couple of weeks ago, and I like leaning on their momentum coming into this one. Black Butler for this Big East battle.

Corey’s Pick Butler TO WIN

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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