| MATCHUP | Missouri State Bears | Xavier Muskateers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 4-4 | 7-3 |
| Where | Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH | |
| When | Friday, December 12, 2025 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | truTV | |
The Missouri State Bears and the Xavier Musketeers meet Friday in college basketball action from Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Here’s a Missouri State vs Xavier prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Missouri State vs Xavier pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Missouri State Bears Betting Preview
The Bears kicked off the year on a 2-2 run across their first four outings. The wins were over Missouri Southern State and Northwestern Oklahoma State, followed by losses to Arkansas State and Texas-Arlington. Since then it’s been another 2-2 run with wins over Texas-Rio Grande Valley and Northeastern State mixed with losses to Long Island University and Tulsa. In total that gives the Bears an even .500 record at 4-4 over their first eight games this year.
In the Tulsa matchup last weekend, the Bears opened up with a 48-32 first-half deficit. Missouri State was outscored 50-42 the rest of the way and lost the game 98-74 in the end. Kobi Williams put up 20 points with four rebounds and two assists in the loss, while Keith Palek had 15 points with four rebounds in 26 minutes of work.
Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview
Over on the Xavier side, they started out the season on a shaky 3-3 run. The losses in that time were versus Santa Clara, Iowa and Georgia. Otherwise it was wins versus Marist, Le Moyne and Old Dominion. Since then Xavier has found their stride with four straight wins. Those have come versus West Virginia, Texas A&M-CC, Saint Francis and Cincinnati. In total that gives the Musketeers a 7-3 overall run so far this season.
Matched up against Cincinnati last Friday, the Musketeers were all tied up 37-37 by halftime. Xavier hit a 42-37 run the rest of the way, taking the eventual win 79-74. Tre Carroll was tops on the team with 30 points and seven rebounds. Both Jovan Milicevic (three rebounds; two assists) and Filip Borovicanin (four assists; two rebounds) notched 12 points apiece in the winning effort as well.
Missouri State Bears @ Xavier Musketeers Betting Trends: December 12, 2025
Why the Xavier Musketeers will win
- Xavier has won 13 of its last 14 games at Cintas Center.
- Missouri State has lost 13 of its last 16 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Missouri State vs Xavier Prediction
I’ll lean toward Xavier. The Musketeers took out a pretty solid Cincinnati team in their last outing to keep their win streak going, but there’s plenty to clean up. Xavier shot 46.9 percent from the field but just 21.4 percent (6-of-28) from outside and 13-of-23 (56.5 percent) from the line. The Musketeers also got out-rebounded 48-36 but committed just four turnovers in a nice display of ball-control. Xavier is scoring well these days; they’ve hit 78 or more points in six straight, a 5-1 run.
As for Missouri State, they shot well against Tulsa (49 percent) but got outmuscled on the boards 33-20 and had 14 turnovers in the 24-point loss. The Bears haven’t been scoring too badly over the last quartet but they’re giving up a lot on the other side.