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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. #8 Xavier Musketeers CBB Free Pick

Cincinnati Bearcats (5-2) vs #8 Xavier Musketeers (7-0)

For the Cincinnati Bearcats the season can be summed up in one word – Presbyterian. As in the Bearcats of the Big East lost to Presbyterian 56-54 a couple of weeks ago.

Saturday December 10
Cintas Center – Cincinnati, OH
12:30
Moneyline:
Spread: Xavier -7
O/U: 124

CIncinnati

No one was expecting this team to push Syracuse or Connecticut but it was a woeful and embarrassing effort.  This team does have some talent but it really hasn’t beaten anybody yet.  Some will point to their loss at Marshall as another red flag but that is a team that will challenge in Conference USA.

Last year Cincinnati spanked the Muskies in the Crosstown Shootout, winning by 20.   Yancy Gates had one of his best games showing the promise we have been hearing about since he arrived by putting up 22 points and 14 rebounds.  This year he has been solid but a guy with his physical strength should be more dominant.  The Bearcats are solid in the backcourt with Sean Kilpatrick and Dion Dixon but that is the Muskies strength too.[soliloquy id=”82219″]

Xavier

The Xavier Musketeers are looking to build on recent success and are off to a great start.  They have handled all comers to date and wins over Vanderbilt and Purdue were pretty impressive to me. They are looking for revenge in this rivalry and are clearly the better team this season.  They have another tough non-conference game when they host Gonzaga at the end of the month.  They are the favourite in the A-10 this year and it wouldn’t shock to see this team with a gaudy record come March (perfection perhaps.

Guard Tu Holloway is going to get some pub for player of the year as long as Xavier is a top team.  He has support from his backcourt mate Mark Lyons with both players averaging 17ppg and 4 rebounds.  Not bad for a couple of 6 foot guards.  Don’t worry though, the Muskies have plenty of muscle inside to thwart a team like Cincinnati.  Kenny Frease may be enigmatic but he is a legit 7 footer to lean on Gates, who can also draw him away from the hoop.

Spread Pick: Xavier -7
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Xavier 75 – Cincinnati 65

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.