Xavier (7-1) vs. TCU (4-3)
December 5, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: TCU -1; Over/Under: +144
(Get latest betting odds)
The Xavier Musketeers and the TCU Horned Frogs meet Thursday in college basketball action from Schollmaier Arena. Here’s a TCU vs Xavier prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best TCU vs Xavier pick.
Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview
The Musketeers are off to a nice start this year, with only one blemish—a 78-53 blowout loss to Michigan—on the card so far. Otherwise it’s been wins over Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena, South Carolina and South Carolina State.
In the Bulldogs game on Sunday, the Musketeers held a six-point edge going into halftime. Xavier was outscored 42-39 from there but held on for a 71-68 win. Zach Freemantle put up 17 points with seven boards in the victory.
TCU Horned Frogs Betting Preview
Over on the Frogs’ side, they won four of their first five games this year over Florida A&M, Florida Gulf Coast, Texas State and Alcorn State (with a loss to Michigan). In the last pair it’s been losses to Santa Clara and Colorado State, though.
TCU held a 32-31 deficit heading into the locker room during Friday’s matchup with the Rams. The Frogs caught up in the second but eventually lost 76-72 in overtime. Frankie Collins was the team’s top scorer on 18 points and eight rebounds with five steals.
Why the TCU Horned Frogs will win
- TCU has won each of its last 16 games against non-Conference opponents at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena.
- TCU has won the first half in 17 of its last 18 games against non-Conference opponents at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena.
Why the Xavier Musketeers will win
- Xavier has won each of its last nine Thursday games against non-Conference opponents.
- TCU has lost each of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents.
- TCU has lost the first half in four of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents.
TCU vs Xavier Prediction
I’m staying with Xavier. The Musketeers had a bit of trouble shaking off a pesky South Carolina State team in their last matchup. Xavier committed 16 turnovers in a sloppy overall game (34 total turnovers) and got out-rebounded 32-29 but still found a way to get the win. (SC State’s seven missed free throws didn’t hurt.) It was a nice recovery after a season-low in points (53) versus Michigan. Otherwise the Musketeers have hit 71 or more points in every game.
As for TCU, they shot a rough 33.9 percent from the field with 13 turnovers and a 44-38 rebounding disadvantage in their overtime loss to Colorado State. It was the Frogs’ third loss in four games, and in each of those losses they’ve been below 67 points in regulation. TCU is going to need a big offensive push to power out the win/cover here, and I’m not sure they’ve got the gas to do it. It’ll be a fun matchup to watch regardless, though.
