Butler Bulldogs (11-6) vs. Xavier Musketeers (8-8)
January 16, 2024 6:30 pm EDT
The Line: Xavier Musketeers -5.5; Over/Under: 151.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Butler Bulldogs will play the Xavier Musketeers in a Big East game on Tuesday night at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Butler has lost four of their last five games, while Xavier has lost two of their last three. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Butler vs Xavier prediction.
Butler Preview
The Butler Bulldogs are 11-6 (2-4) this year after they lost to Seton Hall by a score of 78-72 in their last game. Butler trailed 45-37 at halftime, but they did win the second half in the loss. The Bulldogs shot 40.7% from the field and were -7 in rebounding margin in the game. Butler defeated Marquette by a score of 69-62 in the game prior to Seton Hall, but lost the three previous games. The Bulldogs are scoring 80.8 points per game with 36.8 rebounds per game and 15.2 assists per game, while allowing 72.6 points against per game this season. Pierre Brooks is averaging 16.1 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 1.1 assists per game. Butler is shooting 46.4% from the field, 79.1% on free throws, and 35.9% on three pointers this year.
Xavier Preview
The Xavier Musketeers are 8-8 (2-3) this season after they defeated Providence by a score of 85-65 in their last game. Xavier led 41-40 at the half and they held Providence to only 25 points in the second half in the win. The Musketeers shot 50.8% from the field and were +9 in rebounding margin in the game. Xavier lost to UConn by a score of 80-75 and Villanova by a score of 66-65 in the two games prior to Providence. The Musketeers are scoring 75.3 points per game with 40.3 rebounds per game and 16.8 assists per game, while allowing 69.7 points against per game this year. Quincy Olivari is averaging 17.8 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game. Xavier is shooting 43.9% from the field, 72.6% on free throws, and 34.6% on three pointers this season.
Butler vs Xavier Betting Prediction
Butler comes into this game after losing four of their last five games, but they did beat Marquette on the road two games ago. The Bulldogs are scoring 80.8 points per game, but they are allowing 72.6 points against per game on defense. Xavier is coming off a 20-point road win against Providence in their last game and they nearly beat UConn and Villanova in the two games before that. Butler is the better shooting team in this matchup, but I like how Xavier has played in their last four games. Take Xavier at home here. You can use this pick as a part of your parlay if you don’t like singles.
