Xavier vs Florida 3/20/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The 3-seed Florida Gators will travel to the Cintas Center to take on the 2-seed Xavier Musketeers this Sunday afternoon in the 2^nd round of the NIT.

The 3-seed Florida Gators improved to 20-13 on the season after defeating the Iona Gaels, 79-74, this past Wednesday. Florida trailed by a 42-35 margin at halftime, however, the Gators were outstanding offensively in the 2^nd half and was able to pull away late after closing out the final 2:57 of regulation on a 7-2 run. Florida shot 46.9% from the field & 29.2% from beyond the arc while allowing Iona to shoot 46.0% from the field & 30.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Gators was Colin Castleton who had a double-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, & 2 steals.

On the season, Florida is averaging 71.0 ppg on 42.9% shooting from the field. The Gators are averaging 8.0 three-pointers per game on 30.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Florida has been led by Colin Castleton (16.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2.3 bpg), Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (11.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 spg), Tyree Appleby (10.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.2 spg), Myreon Jones (8.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.2 spg).

Defensively, Florida is holding their opponents to an average of 66.3 ppg on 43.9% shooting from the field. The Gators have a rebound margin of -1.0 and a turnover margin of 2.2.

The 2-seed Xavier Musketeers improved to 19-13 on the season after defeating the Cleveland State Vikings, 72-68, this past Tuesday. Xavier struggled a bit on the offensive end against Cleveland State, however, the defensive did a great job in forcing turnovers and the Musketeers were able o hold off the Vikings late after taking a 66-61 lead with 2:23 left in regulation. Xavier shot 38.7% from the field & 26.9% from beyond the arc while allowing Cleveland State to shoot 45.0% from the field & 8.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Musketeers was Zach Freemantle who had a double-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks, & 2 steals.

On the season, Xavier is averaging 73.9 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field. The Musketeers are averaging 6.8 three-pointers per game on 32.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Xavier has been led by Jack Nunge (13.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.4 bpg), Paul Scruggs (12.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.5 spg), Colby Jones (11.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg), Nate Johnson (10.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg), & Zach Freemantle (10.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.3 apg).

Defensively, Xavier is allowing their opponents to average 69.2 ppg on 42.5% shooting from the field. The Musketeers have a rebound margin of 2.5 and a turnover margin of 1.3.

The Gators are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 Sunday games & 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games. The Musketeers are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games overall & 2-10 ATS in their last 12 home games.

Florida has been led by their defense which ranks 89^th in scoring defense & 38^th in steals per game, however, offense has been at times a struggle for the Gators as they come into this game ranked just 170^th in scoring offense & 245^th in FG%. The Musketeers have been led by their offense which ranks t-100^th in scoring offense & 147^th in FG%, however, the defense had some issue allowing points this season and currently rank just t-179^th in scoring defense.

Xavier is 14-5 at home this season, however, this is a Musketeers team that really struggled down the stretch of the season and come into this game losing 8 of their last 11 games. Florida has a solid defense that should give Xavier some trouble and as I think Colin Castleton will be able to put up a big game in this one, I think the play here is to take Florida and the points. Good Luck!