Xavier (5-0) vs. Cincinnati (1-0)
Series
The Cincinnati Bearcats lead Xavier, 51-36, in the Skyline Chili Shootout as the Musketeers have won five of seven and nine of 13. If you are a Musketeer and you want to extend those, remember that Xavier has won 12 out of the last 18, 14 of 21 and 16 out 24. Xavier took a 73-66 win last season as they led by as many as 16.
Vs. The Spread
The Musketeers are 2-7 in their last nine games ATS and the total is OVER in six of Xavier’s last eight games. The Bearcats are 1-9 ATS in their last ten and the total is UNDER in six of the last eight XU-UC matchups. Cincinnati is 3-14 in their last 17 vs. The Big East while the OVER has been the play in four of the Musketeer’s last five contests against the American Athletic Conference.
| Teams | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier | +3 (-103) | +138 | O 136.5 (-105) |
| Cincinnati | -3 (-117) | -158 | U 136.5 (-115) |
Last Time Out
Xavier blasted Tennessee Tech, 79-48, on Tuesday night as the Musketeers ran their record to 5-0 as Nate Johnson led four Muskies in double figures. Xavier held the Golden Eagles to 31.7 percent managing 16 points off of 15 Tennessee Tech turnovers. Guard Paul Scruggs had 14 points and nine assists in 21 minutes.
Mika Adams-Woods led Cincinnati with 16 points and Chris Vogt scored eight of his last 12 points in the last eight minutes as the Bearcats defeated Lipscomb, 67-55. Cincinnati forced 19 Bisons turnovers and scored 19 points off of those.
Sword Play
Xavier is off to a 5-0 start and the fact that they have played five games while the Bearcats have only played one will be a key theme in the game. Sophomore Zach Freemantle has averaged 17.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in the first five while Scruggs is at 12.4 points and 7.4 assists. Gardner-Webb transfer Nate Johnson and Kyky Tandy are also solid in the backcourt.
Cat Chat
The Bearcats are picked to finish fourth in the American after tying for the regular season championship last season. Five newcomers made their debuts int he win over Lipscomb. Colgate graduate transfer Rapolas Ivanauskas and Michigan junior transfer David DeJulius started as Ivanauskas netted 11 points and six rebounds while DeJulius contributed eight points, six rebounds, four assists, zero turnovers. Mika Adams-Woods has started 20 of 21 games dating back to last year and looks like the top offensive option.
Winner: Xavier (+3) 71, Cincinnati 65
Over-Under: Take UNDER 136.5
