It will be a battle between Big East opponents when the Xavier Musketeers (9-5, 1-0 Big East) welcome the Seton Hall Pirates (10-3, 1-0 Big East) to the Cintas Center. The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.
Seton Hall Pirates at Xavier Musketeers Free Prediction
The Pirates will be hoping for a similar result after blowing out the Wagner Seahawks in their last matchup, 89-49. The Pirates had a much better free throw rate (0.328 vs. 0.125) and had a much better turnover percentage (10.4 vs. 20.9). With 30 points on 10-for-13 shooting, Myles Powell was the game’s high scorer.
The last time the Musketeers were in action, they were victorious over the IUPUI Jaguars, 82-69. The Musketeers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.5 vs. 23.1) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.538 vs. 0.438). Ryan Welage was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 9-for-17 shooting from the field.
Seton Hall does a solid job at getting to the charity stripe. They rank 57th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.279), but Xavier is among the best in the nation at keeping opponents off the line (ranking 42nd by allowing a FTA rate of 0.182).
Powell has averaged 0 points over the last five games for Seton Hall.
After the Musketeers won both matchups against the Pirates last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the most recent matchup, Xavier won 102-90. Xavier made good use of their 35 trips to the free throw line, converting on 28 of them (80.0 percent). Seton Hall, meanwhile, was 17-19 (89.5 percent).
Seton Hall Pirates at Xavier Musketeers ATS Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Seton Hall, ATS Winner – Xavier, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Xavier ranks 43rd in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while Seton Hall ranks 147th (4.5).
The Pirates rank 24th in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Musketeers rank 109th (6.5).
Xavier ranks 74th in assists per game (14.8) while Seton Hall ranks 100th in assists allowed per game (12.8).
The Pirates rank 201st in three pointers attempted per game (20.2) while the Musketeers rank 214th in three pointers allowed per game (25.3).
Xavier averages 36.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 126th in the NCAA. Seton Hall ranks 133rd in rebounds allowed per game (35.5).
Bettings Trends:
The Pirates’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.4, up from 5.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Musketeers have scored an average of 78.8 points per game (3.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 79.6 points per game (9.5 above their season average).
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