Xavier and Butler meet for the second time this season after the Musketeers won 89-75 in the first matchup. With the two teams separated by 0.5 games in the Big East standings, this game is crucial for conference tournament positioning.
The Bulldogs are 3.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 159.5 points.
Here’s my prediction, preview and pick for Saturday’s Xavier vs. Butler matchup.
Xavier vs. Butler prediction, preview
The Big East features some college basketball titans in UConn and St. John’s. Those two will be fighting for the top seed in the conference tournament, while the rest of the conference files in behind.
Xavier and Butler are in the middle of the pack, separated by just 0.5 games in the conference standings. The Musketeers are 5-10, while the Bulldogs are 5-11. A win for either side will bring them up to six victories in the Big East, which would tie DePaul for sixth in the conference (if it loses to Providence).
Only Providence and Marquette (four wins apiece) have fewer wins this season, so a loss for either Butler or Xavier would be troublesome. The losing team could go from as high as sixth place to as low as 11th (last) with one loss.
This game should be a battle as both teams desperately need a victory here. Because Butler is at home, the Bulldogs have a slight advantage, but Xavier won the last matchup by 14 points.
What’s certain is the second matchup is almost always more difficult. Even teams like UConn struggled in its second game against Creighton, a .500 overall squad this year. With Butler at home, expect this to be close throughout.
Xavier vs. Butler pick, best bet
Xavier is the better team, but home court advantage and second matchups are always a factor in college hoops. Butler has those two advantages, which are reasons for being a 3.5-point favorite.
The game should be close, which incentivizes me to pick Xavier +3.5. While the team has some questionable losses on its resume, it has also played St. John’s close twice. Both times ended in losses, but it proves that Xavier can compete with the best Big East squads.
Butler will make this game competitive, but Xavier will cover the spread.