Michigan vs Xavier Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/27/24

The Michigan Wolverines and the Xavier Musketeers meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Here’s a Michigan vs Xavier prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Michigan vs Xavier pick. We will examine:

The Michigan Wolverines’ recent form and player performance

The Xavier Musketeers’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Michigan Wolverines

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Xavier Musketeers

Recent betting trends in games played between Michigan and Xavier

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Michigan vs Xavier game

Michigan Wolverines Betting Preview

The Wolverines blew out Cleveland State in their opener, then took their first loss of the year in a tough outcome 72-70 versus Wake Forest. Since then Michigan has hit its stride with wins over TCU, Miami-OH, Tarleton State, and Virginia Tech.

In the Virginia Tech game on Monday, the Wolverines were up by only one point as the second half began. Michigan came back with a 41-30 run from there and took the win 75-63. Roddy Gayle was the team’s lead scorer with 20 points, four boards, and four assists.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

Over on the Xavier side, they’ve gotten through a half-dozen games without a blemish thus far. The Musketeers have dispatched Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena, and South Carolina in succession during that time.

Matched up against South Carolina on Monday, the Musketeers were facing a five-point deficit at halftime. Xavier stormed back on a 46-32 run and took the win 75-66. Zach Freemantle led the team with 16 points, and Daily Swain added 14 points with six boards. Xavier will take on South Carolina State after this game.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• Xavier has won each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Michigan has lost nine of its last 11 games played at neutral venues.
• Michigan has lost the first half in five of its last six games against AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Michigan Wolverines will win

• Michigan has won each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.

Michigan vs Xavier Prediction

I’m staying with Xavier here. The Musketeers got off to a slow start against South Carolina in their last outing, but to their credit, Xavier asserted themselves in the second half. By the end the Musketeers had 44.4 percent shooting from the floor and a commanding 41-31 rebounding advantage. Oddly enough the 75 points were tied for Xavier’s lowest points total of the year, so we can expect the Musketeers to surpass that threshold again Wednesday if they’re playing well.

As for Michigan, they’re going to need to play a cleaner game here than they did against Virginia Tech on Monday. Michigan shot just 40.3 percent from the field in that one with 15 turnovers and a 41-38 rebounding deficit. The Wolverines held Virginia Tech to 34.5 percent shooting on the other side, though—and the 19 Hokies turnovers didn’t hurt, either. Don’t expect Xavier to make those kinds of mistakes. The Musketeers will likely shoot much better as well, so I don’t see Michigan keeping a cover/win pace in the end. Should be a great matchup regardless, though.