Butler vs Xavier Prediction 3/5/25 College Basketball Picks Today
Xavier (19-10) vs. Butler (13-16)
March 5, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Butler +1.5; Over/Under: 155.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Xavier Musketeers and Butler Bulldogs meet Tuesday in college basketball action at the Hinkle Fieldhouse. Here’s a Butler vs Xavier Prediction. This article will include a Butler vs Xavier Pick.
Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview
The Xavier Musketeers beat Seton Hall and Creighton, and they play Providence next. Xavier has won five straight games and has a chance to be a top-five seed in the Big East Tournament.
The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 77.4 points on 46.3 percent shooting and allowing 70.1 points on 44 percent shooting. Zach Freemantle is averaging 16.8 points and 7.1 rebounds, while Ryan Conwell is averaging 15.8 points and 2.9 rebounds. Dailyn Swain is the third double-digit scorer and Dayvion McKnight is dishing 4.5 assists. The Xavier Musketeers are shooting 38.7 percent from beyond the arc and 79 percent from the free-throw line. The Xavier Musketeers are allowing 32.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.4 rebounds per game.
Butler Bulldogs Betting Preview
The Butler Bulldogs lost to St. John’s and Villanova, and they play Creighton next. It’s senior night for a Butler roster that has four seniors.
The Butler Bulldogs are averaging 74.2 points on 5.8 percent shooting and allowing 72.8 points on 43.2 percent shooting. Jahmyl Terlfort is averaging 16 points and 4.7 rebounds, while Pierre Brooks II is averaging 15.6 points and 1.9 assists. Patrick McCaffery is the third double-digit scorer and Finley Bizjack is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Butler Bulldogs are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 74.2 percent from the free throw line. The Butler Bulldogs are allowing 30.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.7 rebounds per game.
Why the Butler Bulldogs will win
- Butler has won each of its last four home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Xavier has lost five of its last six road night games against the Big East Conference.
- Butler has won the first half in each of its last four home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Xavier Musketeers will win
- Xavier has won each of its last five games.
- Butler has lost four of its last five night games at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
- Xavier has won the first half in each of its last five games against the Big East Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Fourteen of Butler’s last 15 night games at Hinkle Fieldhouse have produced a total of 151 or fewer points.
- Thirteen of Xavier’s last 15 games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Butler ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (7.6).
- Butler ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.76).
- Xavier ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (79.0%).
- Xavier ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for a three-point percentage this season (38.7%).
Butler vs Xavier Injury Report
Butler will be without Jamie Kaiser Jr. and Augusto Cassia. Xavier will be without Trey Green and Lassina Traore.
Butler vs Xavier Prediction
Butler is at its best at home where nine of its 13 wins have come, and the Bulldogs will be up for this game on senior night. However, Butler has underachieved all season and doesn’t do anything well on either side of the ball that’s going to scare opponents. Xavier is playing some of its best ball of the season with five straight wins, and it’s looking like a sneaky contender for the Big East Tournament. Xavier beat Butler by 13 points less than a month ago. I’d need more points to consider Butler in this spot. Instead, I’ll lay the small chalk with Xavier on the road.
