The Butler Bulldogs and the Xavier Musketeers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Cintas Center. Butler enters this one at 14-16 overall. The Bulldogs lost to Marquette in their last game. As for Xavier, they’re 22-8 on the season after a win over Providence. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Butler Bulldogs
Butler hit a .500 run at 11-11 through their first 22 outings this year. The Bulldogs are 3-5 since then, taking losses to Seton Hall, Marquette, Villanova, Georgetown and Marquette again. The wins otherwise were over St. John’s, Xavier and DePaul.
On Tuesday versus Marquette, Butler went into the second half with a 36-22 deficit. The Bulldogs were outscored 36-34 from there and lost 72-56. Jayden Taylor led the team on 13 points and Jalen Thomas added 10 points.
Xavier Musketeers
Over on the Xavier side, they were 17-5 after 22 outings this season. The Musketeers have since gone 5-3 with wins over Providence, St. John’s, DePaul, Seton Hall and Providence again alongside losses to Butler, Marquette and Villanova.
Matched up against Providence on Wednesday, the Musketeers were up 45-36 going into the second half. Xavier was outscored 53-49 from there but held on for the 94-89 victory. Leading the scoring was Souley Boum on 33 points and seven rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stay with Xavier in this one. The Musketeers are coming off a pretty solid road win over Providence, shooting a nice 55.7 percent from the field with 37 rebounds and 14 team assists. Xavier is 3-1 in their last four games and they’ve hit 82 or more points in all three of those victories. These teams last saw each other back on February 10 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Butler pulled off a 69-67 victory in that one after jumping ahead 35-21 by the break. I like Xavier to get some revenge in this one with a cover. Should be a fun matchup to watch.