The No. 5-ranked Xavier Musketeers (25-4) can extend a five-game home winning streak when they take on the Creighton Bluejays (18-12). The game gets underway at 2:30 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5 and will air on FOX and FSN.
The Musketeers were beaten by Seton Hall 90-81 in their last game. James Farr had a good outing, putting up 17 points, eight rebounds, and one steal for Xavier. The Bluejays, meanwhile, are coming off a 70-66 loss to Providence in their last game. James Milliken led the team in scoring with 26 points.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. Xavier is among the nation’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 27th in OR% at 35.7%. Meanwhile, Creighton ranks 32nd in the nation at corralling defensive rebounds with a DR% of 73.9%.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Bluejays winning the first matchup 70-56. Maurice Watson Jr. was a top performer in the victory with 32 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one three-pointer.
The Musketeers enter the game with records of 25-4 Straight Up (SU) and 18-11 Against The Spread (ATS). The Musketeers have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire nation, averaging 80.4 points per game. The Musketeers are an impressive shooting team from the line with a .734 free throw percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I. The rebounding edge goes to the Musketeers in this matchup, who are one of the top rebounding teams in the nation with an average of 41.0 boards per game. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, the Musketeers prevent teams from making three-pointers, ranking 28th in the nation with a .314 opponent field-goal percentage from three-point range.
On the other side, the Bluejays have records of 17-12 ATS and 18-12 SU. The Bluejays rank 36th in the country in scoring, averaging 79.3 points per game. The Bluejays are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking 45th in Division I at 1.32.
In their previous meeting this season, Creighton beat Xavier, moving its SU record against Xavier to 6-4 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. The Bluejays also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. Creighton had the advantage in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) once over the last five matchups. Xavier has never had the edge in all three categories.
Predictions: SU Winner – Xavier, ATS Winner – Xavier
Notes
“Xavier is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“Xavier is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of Xavier’s last 5 games “.
“Xavier is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games at home”.
“Xavier is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“Xavier is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of Xavier’s last 5 games at home”.
“Xavier is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Creighton”.
“Xavier is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Creighton”.
Xavier is one of the top-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 80.4 points per game (ranked 21st). Creighton, on the other hand, allows 71.9 points per game (ranked 150th).
Xavier scores 82.4 points per home game (ranked 37th). Creighton ranks a poor 171st in points allowed on the road, allowing 75.8 points.
The Xavier Musketeers rank 44th for their offensive rating of 113.1. The Creighton Bluejays have a defensive rating of 101.0 (ranked 93rd).
The Creighton Bluejays average 71.2 possessions per game and 1.114 points per possession. The Xavier Musketeers earn fewer possessions with 71.1, but they score more points with 1.131.
The Creighton Bluejays average an effective field goal percentage of 53.7% this season. The Xavier Musketeers have split their games this season (3-3) when opponents have an eFG% of 53.7% or greater.
Xavier ranks 31st in assists, recording 16.1 per game. Creighton ranks 64th with 15.3 assists per game.
Ranked 15th in the nation, Xavier averages 41.0 rebounds per game. Creighton ranks lower at 121st with 37.2 RPG.
Creighton ranks 273rd in offensive rebounds, while Xavier ranks at 25th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Creighton forces a turnover rate of 17.6%. When Xavier turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has an outstanding 13-1 record.
