The No. 25 Creighton Bluejays (14-3, 4-1 Big East) visit No. 10 Xavier to take on the Musketeers (15-3, 3-2 Big East) in a game that has the potential to be high-scoring. The game begins at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13, 2018.
Creighton Bluejays at Xavier Musketeers Betting Prediction
In the Bluejays’ last game, they topped the Butler Bulldogs, 85-74. The Bluejays made 11 of their 13 free throws (84.6 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.607 (above their season average of 0.599). Martin Krampelj had a good game for Creighton, contributing 14 points and 14 rebounds.
The Musketeers were blown out by the No. 1 Villanova Wildcats in their last matchup, 89-65. Villanova’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Xavier. The Wildcats had a rate of 10.8 (better than their season average of 12.6), while the Musketeers posted a mark of 18.3. Xavier’s Kerem Kanter had a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as a pair of the nation’s best offenses clash. Xavier currently ranks 21st with 117.9 points per 100 possessions and Creighton is seventh (120.6). The Bluejays should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 12th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 14.8 percent), while the Musketeers force the 13th-fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.5 percent).
Krampelj has averaged 14.2 points and 8.8 rebounds over the last five games for Creighton.
After the Bluejays won two out of three matchups against the Musketeers last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, Creighton won 75-72. Creighton’s effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Xavier. The Bluejays had a rate of 0.670 while the Musketeers posted a mark of 0.563.
Creighton Bluejays vs. Xavier Musketeers Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Xavier, ATS Winner – Xavier, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Creighton averages 27.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 18th in the NCAA. Xavier ranks 246th in three pointers allowed per game (25.9).
The Bluejays rank third in assists per game (20.1) while the Musketeers rank 126th in assists allowed per game (13.4).
Xavier ranks 35th in rebounds allowed per game (31.7) while Creighton ranks 98th (33.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Bluejays’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.0, down from 17.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Musketeers have scored an average of 78.2 points per game (6.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 81.6 points per game (8.5 above their season average).
