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Free Picks: Arizona vs. Xavier Gambling Lines & Handicapping Preview

NCAAB Betting? Musketeers vs Wildcats Predictions

The Sweet 16 stage is set and out of the West region the 2nd seed Arizona Wildcats meet with the 6th seeded Xavier Musketeers in Los Angeles, California. Cappers Picks provides free NCAA basketball tips all season long.

The Pac 12 has shown it’s dominance throughout the entire first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.

NCAA Basketball Odds

SWEET 16
No.2 Arizona Wildcats (33-3) vs. No.6 Xavier Musketeers (23-13)
Thursday, March 26
10:17 PM ET
Staples Center (Los Angeles, California)
TBS
NCAA Basketball Betting Lines: Arizona -10.5
NCAA Basketball O/U: 136
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The No.2 Arizona Wildcats hope to continue that dominance as they prepare to do battle with Big East foe Xavier. Arizona had no problem with their first two match ups routing both Texas Southern and Ohio State. Xavier had little problem with Ole Miss, then proceeded to knock out poised Cinderella Story Georgia State.

Arizona

The Wildcats have been hot all season long. Suffering only 3 losses in their 2014-2015 campaign, they seem to be one of the most complete teams in this year’s tournament.

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Arizona has had no problem with their first two opponents as they routed 15 seed Texas Southern 93-72 and 10 seed Ohio State 73-58. Being close to home should make Thursday’s contest feel like a home game inside the Staples Center.

Arizona has been one of the best scoring teams in the NCAA averaging 76.4 points per contest. That has been thanks in large part to the contributions from Freshman F Stanley Johnson and Sophomore F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Stanley Johnson has averaged 14.0 points a game to go along with 6.6 rebounds. He went for 22 in the team’s win, but struggled mightily against Ohio State. Johnson shot just 1 of 12 from the field and scored 4 points.

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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a similar impressive performance against Texas Southern as the Sophomore went for 23 and 10 in the win. Against the Buckeyes, he dropped in 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Xavier

The Musketeers showed many signs of inconsistency throughout the entire season. They picked the right time to play two of their best games of the season as they looked good beating both Ole Miss and Georgia State. The Musketeers locked down defensively allowing the high powered Rebel offense to only score 57 points and held Georgia State to just 67 points.

Xavier seems to go when big man C Matt Stainbrook goes. Stainbrook has made his presence felt in the paint as the 6-10, 263 pound center has scored 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds combined in both wins. Stainbrook has also gone 5 of 6 from the free throw line this tournament.

Xavier also got a big performance from Sophomore F Jalen Reynolds. Reynolds dropped in 21 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the winning effort against Georgia State. Reynolds will need a similar, if not better performance if Xavier hopes to upset the 2nd seeded Wildcats.

While Xavier has not beaten a top team in the nation, they have had some quality wins this season.

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Two wins over Georgetown and a win over Seton Hall highlight the Musketeers resume.

NCAA Basketball Trends:

  • Xavier 20-3-1 ATS past 24 NCAA Tournament Games
  • Xavier 5-0 ATS in past 5 Sweet 16 Games
  • Arizona 11-3 ATS past 14 as double-digit favorite
  • 2 seed 14-2 SU vs 6 seeds, but 6s are 5-2 ATS past seven

Free 4* Sweet 16 Pick: Arizona -10.5

Laying this big of a spread in a Sweet 16 game is tough, but the level of play between the two is just to large. Arizona has been dominant all season long and should have no problem eventually pulling away from Xavier.

Arizona 87, Xavier 70

Lay the points as Arizona routes Xavier.

Check out our Updated College Hoops Betting Odds.

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By Tony M

Tony is new to Cappers Picks and has been betting on sports since the first day he turned 18. He is a 22 year old Cleveland native who lives and breathes Indians baseball. His dream is to be part of a championship celebration at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.