Xavier vs Butler 2/2/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Butler Bulldogs (11-10) vs. Xavier Musketeers (15-5)
February 2, 2022 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Xavier Musketeers -12.5 ; Over/Under: 129.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Butler Bulldogs and the Xavier Musketeers meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Cintas Center. Butler is 11-10 on the year so far. The Bulldogs beat Georgetown in their last game. As for Xavier, they’re sitting at 15-5 and coming off a win over Creighton. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Butler managed an 8-4 record over their first 12 games this year. Things have been rockier since then with a 3-6 stretch. The losses have come to Seton Hall, Xavier, Villanova, UConn (twice) and Providence in that time. The wins were over Creighton and Georgetown (twice).
In the rematch versus Georgetown on Saturday, the Bulldogs had a six-point halftime lead. Butler was able to hang on from there on the way to a 56-53 win. Tops in scoring was Simas Lukosius with 13 points, and Bryce Nze doubled with 12 points and 12 boards.
Over on the Xavier side, they managed a nice 11-1 run over their first 12 games. The Musketeers are 4-4 since then, with losses to Villanova (twice), Marquette and Providence alongside wins over Butler, Creighton, DePaul and Creighton again.
Matched up against Creighton on Saturday, the Musketeers were down 36-19 heading into the break. Xavier stormed back on a 55-28 run from there for a 74-64 victory. Leading the charge was Paul Scruggs with 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
The Musketeers are 0-4 ATS in their last four at home and 1-5 ATS in their last six overall. The under is 4-0 in Xavier’s last four overall.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are 5-1 ATS in their last six Wednesday games and 0-5 ATS in their last six after a straight-up win. The over is 4-1-1 in Butler’s last six overall.
PICK: I’m probably going to stay with Xavier here. The last time these teams met up back on January 7, the Musketeers secured an 87-72 victory. Xavier shot a nice 55.1 percent in that one with 28 rebounds and 13 team assists. Butler didn’t do too badly themselves at 50 percent shooting; they just couldn’t keep up with the offensive onslaught.
Xavier has been a solid offensive team this year in comparable matchups, and I think they’ll be okay on a cover if the team gets off to a good start in the first half.
