Butler vs Xavier 1/7/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Xavier Musketeers (11-2) vs. Butler Bulldogs (8-5)
January 7, 2022 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Butler Bulldogs +5.5 / Xavier Musketeers -5.5; Over/Under: -130.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Xavier Musketeers and Butler Bulldogs meet Friday in college basketball action at the Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Xavier Musketeers look to build on their 11-2 record. The Butler Bulldogs look for a win after splitting their last 10 games.
The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 75.5 points on 45.2 percent shooting and allowing 62 points on 38.7 percent shooting. Nate Johnson is averaging 13.2 points and 3.4 rebounds, while Jack Nunge is averaging 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. Colby Jones is the third double-digit scorer and Paul Scruggs is dishing 4.2 assists. The Xavier Musketeers are shooting 33.9 percent from beyond the arc and 71.1 percent from the free throw line. The Xavier Musketeers are allowing 30.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38.2 rebounds per game.
The Butler Bulldogs are averaging 62.8 points on 42.7 percent shooting and allowing 60.8 points on 41.5 percent shooting. Chuck Harris is averaging 10.6 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Jayden Taylor is averaging 10.5 points and 1.5 assists. Jair Bolden is dishing 1 assist and Bryce Golden is grabbing 4.2 rebounds. The Butler Bulldogs are shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 68.9 percent from the free throw line. The Butler Bulldogs are allowing 30.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.8 rebounds per game.
The Musketeers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games and 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games overall. The Bulldogs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The under is 4-0 in Bulldogs last 4 overall. The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. The road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
The Xavier Musketeers haven’t played a game since December 21, so there’s potential rust for them here. However, the Butler Bulldogs have lost every big game this season and their lack of consistent offense is an issue. We just saw Butler get clapped at home to an undermanned Seton Hall club. Butler has to prove it can play with the big boys. Even with the long layoff, I’ll lay the chalk with Xavier.
