Xavier vs Ball State 12/8/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Ball State Cardinals (3-4) vs. Xavier Musketeers (7-1)
December 8, 2021 6:30 pm EDT
The Line: Xavier Musketeers -18.5 / Ball State Cardinals +18.5; Over/Under: -149.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ball State Cardinals and Xavier Musketeers meet Wednesday in college basketball action at the Cintas Center. The Ball State Cardinals look to get back to a .500 record. The Xavier Musketeers look to build on their 7-1 record.
The Ball State Cardinals are averaging 77.7 points on 45.7 percent shooting and allowing 80.4 points on 45.2 percent shooting. Luke Bumbalough is averaging 13.7 points and 3.4 assists, while Jalen Windham is averaging 10 points and 1.7 rebounds. Tyler Cochran is dishing 2.9 assists and Miryne Thomas is grabbing 4.9 rebounds. The Ball State Cardinals are shooting 41.9 percent from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent from the free throw line. The Ball State Cardinals are allowing 36.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.7 rebounds per game.
The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 72.4 points on 44.3 percent shooting and allowing 61 points on 38.2 percent shooting. Nate Johnson is averaging 13.2 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Colby Jones is averaging 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds. Paul Scruggs is the third double-digit scorer and Jack Nunge is dishing 0.5 assists. The Xavier Musketeers are shooting 32.3 percent from beyond the arc and 67.3 percent from the free throw line. The Xavier Musketeers are allowing 31.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 37.9 rebounds per game.
The Cardinals are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 road games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Musketeers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The over is 26-6 in Cardinals last 32 overall. The under is 4-1 in Musketeers last 5 home games.
The Xavier Musketeers are easily the better team here, and they should be favored in a big way, but this is a look ahead spot with rival Cincinnati on deck. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Xavier come out a bit sluggish with a big contest coming up this weekend. The Ball State Cardinals have also been decent through seven games, and they can shoot the ball a bit. Give me the points.
