GAME:  #701 Xavier vs #702 Cincinnati
TIME:    12/6/2020 – 3:00p EST
SPREAD:   Cincinnati -1
TOTAL:      136

The Xavier Musketeers (5-0) face the Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0) at the Fifth Third Arena for the Crosstown Shootout in Cincinnati on Sunday at 3 p.m. EST. Xavier beat Tennessee Tech by a score of 79-48 in its last outing while the Bearcats beat Lipscomb 67-55. Xavier won 73-66 in this matchup a year ago. 

XAVIER MUSKETEERS

The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 81.2 points per game while their defense is giving up 63.2 points per game. Xavier is led by Zach Freemantle who is averaging 17.4 points while shooting 61.3 percent from the field. KyKy Tandy has also had success averaging 14.8 points while shooting 41.4 percent from the field. Xavier has had only eight players who have gotten minutes so far this year. Freemantle has connected on 35.7 percent of the 14 3-pointers he’s attempted and has made 5 of 14 over the last five games. He’s also made 46.2 percent of his foul shots this season.

CINCINNATI BEARCATS

The Cincinnati Bearcats are averaging 67 points on 45.2% shooting from the field, 18.2% from three, and 53.8% from the free-throw stripe and allowing 55 points on 43.9% shooting from the field and 33.3% from three. Guard Mika Adams-Woods put up 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Center Chris Voigt also added 12 points and 7 rebounds. 

TRENDS(covers.com)

XAVIER

• Under is 3-0-1 in Musketeers last 4 Sunday games.
• Musketeers are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight-up win of more than 20 points.
• Musketeers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• Under is 7-1-1 in Musketeers last 9 games following an ATS win.
• Musketeers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight-up win.

CINCINNATI

• Bearcats are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• Bearcats are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games.
• Bearcats are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite.
• Bearcats are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS loss.
• Under is 4-1 in Bearcats last 5 overall.

HEAD TO HEAD

• The favorite is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• The home team is 10-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

XAVIER vs CINCINNATI PREDICTION

The Bearcats have only played one game this season and it was not impressive. Xavier has had 3 good games and should be much more prepared and cohesive as a team. Both teams are good defensively which should keep this game low scoring and Under the total, however, Xavier is ranking 5th in the nation at guarding in the paint and Cincinnati is not a good outside shooting team so you can’t expect the Bearcats to win this game with 3’s. The Musketeers have shown they can score and appear to be much better offensively. Xavier is the better team with more experience, better defense, and better offensive efficiency. The Bookie is rolling with the Xavier Musketeers to win this game straight up. 

BETTING ANGLES:

The Bookie:         Xavier ML +105
Fade the Public:  Xavier
Sharp Action:   no data

Risk 1 Unit to win 1.05 Units on Xavier to win. 

ADDITIONAL PLAYS:

1:00 PM EST  #694 Texas ML  -110
Risk 1.1 Units to win 1 Unit on Texas to win on the Moneyline. 

8:00 PM EST  #742 Penn State -2.5 -110
Risk 1.1 Units to win 1 Unit on Penn State to win by 3 or more.