Xavier (1-0) vs IUPUI (1-0)
Game Info: Friday, November 8, 2024 at 6:00 pm (Cintas Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Xavier -29 / IUPUI +29 — Over/Under: 155
The IU Indy Jaguars are visiting the Xavier Musketeers on Friday, November 8th at the Cintas Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an IU Indy Jaguars vs. Xavier Musketeers Prediction.
Xavier Musketeers Preview
The Xavier Musketeers are coming off a mediocre 16-18 season, finishing 9th in the Big East with a 9-11 record. The Musketeers had a decent 11-7 home record but struggled on the road with a 3-9 record. Xavier was 15-15 against the spread and 16-14 in over/under.
In their season opener on Monday, the Musketeers won Texas Southern at home, 78-69. Xavier failed to cover the -25.5-point spread and the game went under the 151.5-point total. The Musketeers’ 78 points were 198th in the nation, while their 69 points allowed were 180th. Xavier had trouble shooting the ball, as they were just 37% from the field and Texas Southern was better with 41%. But they went to the free-throw line 41 times and made 83%, as they managed to draw 31 fouls off Texas Southern.
Xavier showed excellent balance in its offense with three players scoring 19+ points. Junior guard Ryan Conwell led the Musketeers with 21 points and 3 rebounds, while Zach Freemantle and Dayvion McKnight added 19 points apiece. Xavier will face Jackson State, Wake Forest, and Siena following this one.
IU Indy Jaguars Preview
The IU Indy Jaguars are coming off a disappointing 6-26 season, finishing 10th in the Horizon with a 2-18 record. The Jaguars had a 4-10 home record and were even weaker on the road with 2-14. IU Indy was just 9-19 against the spread and 12-14-2 in over/under.
Offensively, IU Indy struggled with 65.9 points per game, which ranked just 339th nationally. Defensively, they allowed 79.8 points per game, which ranked even lower (360th). The Jaguars shot with 43.8% from the field, which ranked 237th in the nation, but had one of the worst 3-point percentages in the nation with 24.8% (362nd). IU Indy’s free throw percentage was much more efficient at 73.6% (102nd).
The Jaguars’ offense was led by junior guard Jlynn Counter with 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Senior guard Bryce Monroe added 11 points and 2.6 assists. UI Indianapolis will meet Eastern Michigan, Iowa State, Coastal Carolina, and South Carolina State after this game.
Why the Xavier Musketeers will win
- IU Indy has lost each of its last seven road games.
- Xavier has won 43 of its last 47 games against non-conference opponents at Cintas Center.
- IU Indy has lost the first half in each of its last seven road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the IU Indy Jaguars will win
- Xavier has lost the first half in each of its last four night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
IU Indy Jaguars vs Xavier Musketeers Prediction
Xavier has won both previous meetings against IU Indy but failed to cover the spread in both. In this IU Indy Jaguars vs. Xavier Musketeers Prediction, Xavier is coming as a huge -29-point home favorite. Xavier is projected as a strong #53 in the nation this season, while IU Indy is projected as a bottom-10 team (#357). This is expected to be yet another lopsided game as Xavier is no match for the inferior IU Indy, who won only twice on the road last season and were bottom-30 in the whole nation both offensively and defensively. I’m laying the points with Xavier at home in this one.