Offense meets defense when the No. 15 Xavier Musketeers (2-0) visit Wisconsin to take on the Badgers (2-0). The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 145.5 points with Wisconsin opening as a 1-point favorite. Action starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 16, 2017.
Xavier Musketeers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Free Preview
In the Musketeers last contest, they had no trouble getting past the Rider Broncs, 101-75. Trevon Bluiett was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 8-for-14 shooting. The Musketeers had a much better free throw rate (0.509 vs. 0.292) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.632 vs. 0.375).
The Badgers will look to keep it rolling after blowing out the Yale Bulldogs in their last game, 89-61. Wisconsin was lifted by Ethan Happ, who put up 12 points and 11 rebounds. Wisconsin dominated every stat category in the game. They had a great turnover percentage of 8.8 and a free throw rate of 0.328. For those same stats, Yale was 22.7 and 0.216, respectively.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAAs top offenses clash. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, Wisconsin ranks 47th with 112.4 points per 100 possessions and Xavier is 52nd (112.1). Additionally, the Musketeers rank 35th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.4 percent), while the Badgers rank 32nd in defensive rebounding percentage (74.8 percent).
The Musketeers have had records of 23-13 straight up (SU) and 20-19 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Vegas has been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Xavier games since last season with 19 unders compared to 18 overs.
The Badgers, meanwhile, have records of 27-9 SU and 18-16-1 ATS since last season. A little over half of Wisconsins games have finished over the O/U total over that same stretch.
Xavier Musketeers at Wisconsin Badgers Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Badgers rank 132nd in blocks per game (3.5) while the Musketeers rank 189th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
- Wisconsin allows the 13th-fewest rebounds per game (30.7) while Xavier ranks 20th (31.4).
- Wisconsin ranks 30th in three pointers allowed per game (18.2) while Xavier ranks 226th (22.5).
- The Badgers rank eighth in assists allowed per game (10.2) while the Musketeers rank 199th (13.8).
- Wisconsin ranks 50th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while Xavier ranks 186th (6.4).
