Xavier and Butler are both bidding for March Madness spots.

Xavier vs Butler College Hoops Odds

Written by on February 12, 2016

There are a number of teams that fall into the dark horse category when talking about a potential National Champion this year, and how those teams perform down the stretch will dictate what sort of price you can get them at. Xavier are one of those teams, and they will look to grow their status when they head into the Hinkle Fieldhouse to face the Butler Bulldogs on Saturday. You can get your winning ticket in play when the  odds go live on the MyBookie.ag NCAAB betting page on Saturday morning.

How to bet Xavier Musketeers Vs Butler Bulldogs Game and TV Info

When: Saturday, February 13, 2:30 PM EST Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse TV: FOX Radio: 1070TheFan Stream Option: FoxSports Xavier are currently ranked at #5 in the nation, but a loss earlier this week has some people questioning their ability to go deep in the playoffs. They may restore some confidence with a win here, but the Butler Bulldogs are not going to be an easy out in their own building.

Why bet on the Xavier Musketeers

As I mentioned, there are a lot of people who think that Xavier (21-3, 9-3) have an outside shot at winning the National Championship this year, but they made it harder to believe in them when they lost to Creighton earlier this week. It is a little unfair to throw them out of your betting options on the back of a single loss, especially when they were on a run that had seen them win 9 of their previous 10 games. Included in that run was a 88-69 demolition of Butler, which came at a time when the Bulldogs were still ranked in the top 10. The loss at Creighton was only the second road loss of the year for the Musketeers, which proves they have the mental toughness to win away from home. Xavier are averaging 79.8 PPG, and are giving up 68.6 PPG.

Why bet on the Butler Bulldogs

After a rough start to conference play, the Butler Bulldogs (17-7, 6-6) seem to have settled into something of a groove. They are coming into this one having won 3 straight games, although they still find themselves sitting outside the top 25 nationally specially after their loss to the Musketeers earlier in the season. They are well aware that they probably have to win out in order to get back among the realms of the ranked, and a win here might well give them the confidence to do just that. The Bulldogs have won their last three home games, but the losses that they have taken in their own building have been against ranked opponents, which may serve as a red flag in this one. Butler are averaging 81.5 PPG, and are giving up 69.5 PPG.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The Xavier Musketeers already have a win over Butler this season, but that one came at home, as well as being at a time when the wheels were starting to come off for the Bulldogs. I see a closer game this time around, but I do like Xavier to get the win again. Xavier Musketeers 76 Butler Bulldogs 74