Cincinnati vs. Xavier Odds
| Cincinnati Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 153.5 -110o / -110u | -115 |
| Xavier Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -115 | 153.5 -110o / -110u | -105 |
The annual Crosstown Shootout between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers takes place at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday evening.
Cincinnati has jumped out to an impressive 7-0 record, its best start since 2018, before that team was handed its first loss by Xavier.
The Musketeers haven’t gone through the smoothest start and are 4-5, including four losses by eight points or fewer. This rivalry is always tense, so let's dig into the NCAAB odds and a pick for Cincinnati vs Xavier.
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats deserve credit for their undefeated start after beginning last season 3-3. However, Cincinnati hasn’t faced a team that ranks higher than 125th in the KenPom ratings as the best team they've beaten is Georgia Tech.
The Bearcats began the season ranked 53rd, according to KenPom, but have moved all the way up to 27th.
Cincinnati has four players averaging double-figures in scoring and is led by forward Viktor Lakhin, who is averaging 15.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
In last season’s matchup, Xavier stormed out to a 41-24 halftime lead before Cincinnati rallied late. However, the comeback fell short and the Musketeers won 80-77.
Both teams shot 20-of-39 on 2-point attempts, both knocked down 16 free throws, but Xavier hit one more 3 (8) than Cincinnati, which was the difference.
The Bearcats have lost four straight to the Musketeers and are seeking their first win in this rivalry since 2018.
Xavier Musketeers
It’s been a head-scratching start for Sean Miller’s Xavier club, which has lost at home as double-digit favorites to Delaware and Oakland.
There’s also defeats to the likes of Purdue and Houston, two of the best teams in the country.
Xavier owns home blowout wins over Robert Morris, Jacksonville and Bryant, but its best victory was a 17-point win over Saint Mary’s in Las Vegas.
Last season, the Musketeers lost a total of two home games by a combined three points to Indiana and Villanova. Xavier has already lost more games at Cintas Center in the past two weeks (Oakland, Houston and Delaware) than it did all last season.
Quincy Olivari and Desmond Claude are each averaging 16.1 points per game. The Musketeers have fared well defensively by limiting opponents to 44.5% effective field goal shooting, which ranks 27th in the nation.
Three of Xavier’s four covers this season have come as an underdog, while three ATS losses came as double-digit favorites.
Cincinnati vs. Xavier
Betting Pick & Prediction
Cincinnati wants to stay unbeaten and end its four-year hex against Xavier.
However, the Musketeers will be motivated to stop their three-game slide.
Look for Xavier to bounce back and get a home win over Cincinnati.
Pick: Xavier PK at DraftKings | Play to -1.5
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