Houston at Xavier odds, picks and predictions
The Houston Cougars (7-0) and Xavier Musketeers (4-3) meet Friday in Cincinnati. The opening tipoff at the Cintas Center will be at 6:30 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Houston vs. Xavier odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Houston, which is No. 5 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, last played on Friday, dumping Montana 79-44. The Cougars covered a -26.5 and have won 3 in a row against the number. UH has played a trio of neutral-site games, but this trip to Cincy marks its 1st true road game this season.
The Musketeers played Monday, getting upset by Oakland 78-76 in a home game that was lined with Xavier as a 15 1/2-point favorite. For an XU squad that had acquitted itself well through a tough November slate, the Monday result marked Xavier's 1st ATS loss since the team's Nov. 6 season opener.
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Houston at Xavier odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:21 p.m.
- Moneyline: Houston -375 (bet $375 to win $100) | Xavier +300 (bet $100 to win $300)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -7.5 (-115) | Xavier +7.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 138.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Houston at Xavier picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 74, Xavier 67
Moneyline
PASS. No lean to either side of a sizable hold.
Against the spread
Look for the Cougars to win the turnover battle and get their fair share of put-backs off the offensive glass. But for a road game, the hurdle here is a high one.
STEER CLEAR.
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Over/Under
This one is a clash in styles, with slow-tempo Houston facing fast-paced Xavier.
The Musketeers have seen the Over go 15-4-1 the last 20 times they were a home underdog. Recent UH games -- both this season and last -- feature 2 opponents that stand out as solid comps for Xavier. Against both the Utah Utes (Nov. 17) and Miami Hurricanes (March 24). Both games hit the Over.
Figure some 3-point shooting regression being die for the home five. XU does not take a lot of shots from the perimeter, but it likely will have to late.
On just slight leverage, consider a partial-unit play on the OVER 138.5 (-110).
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