Xavier vs Butler Picks and Odds (Jan. 7)

• #22 Xavier is a 5.5-point favorite over Butler on Friday (Jan. 7th) at 8:30 pm ET at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana
• The Musketeers are 9-4 ATS this season, including 6-1 ATS versus teams ranked outside the top-100
• Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

Just one of the top-25 teams in college hoops will see action on Friday (January 7th), as #22 Xavier travels to Butler face the Bulldogs. Both programs are 1-1 in Big East play so far, with the Musketeers posting an 11-2 mark overall compared to a 8-5 record for Butler.

Xavier saw its each of its last two contests postponed due to COVID, and haven’t played a competitive game since December 21st. Despite the lack of action, oddsmakers still expect them to take care of business on the road.

#22 Xavier vs Butler Odds

Odds as of Jan. 6th at FanDuel.

The Musketeers opened up as a 5.5-point favorite, in a game that features a total of 130.5. Tip-off is set for 8:30 pm ET at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, with FS1 providing the broadcast coverage.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Analysis

COVID outbreaks in both the Georgetown and UConn programs caused Xavier’s last two games to be postponed, while the last time they were on the floor they were defeated by #19 Villanova. That loss snapped the Musketeers’ seven-game winning streak, a stretch that included victories over Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech.

📸 | Embrace the process. #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/1jd2e5DYm4

— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) January 5, 2022

Four Xavier players average double-digit points per night, led by Nate Johnson’s 13.2. Since conference play started however, Dwon Odom has been pacing the offense. The sophomore reserve guard has averaged 16 points in two Big East tilts so far, pouring in a career-high 19 versus Marquette two games ago.

The Musketeers average 75.5 points per game, while ranking 49th in assists, 19th in total rebounding, and 91st in effective field goal percentage.

At the other end of the floor, they rank 40th in scoring defense, yielding just 62 points per contest. They rank 23rd in opponent effective field goal percentage, and seventh in defensive rebounding, while committing just 14 fouls per night.

Butler Bulldogs Betting Analysis

Butler meanwhile, last played on Tuesday losing 71-56 to #24 Seton Hall. Bryce Golden scored 20 points in a losing effort, while fellow big man Bryce Nze added 12.

Final from Hinkle. #ButlerWay | #Team124 pic.twitter.com/HHhy4SXXAG

— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) January 5, 2022

The Bulldogs shot 41.2% from the floor, but made just 6-of-25 three-point attempts. They were -11 on the glass, and -4 in the assist department, while losing the turnover battle 13-11.

Defensively, the effort was solid as it usually is. They held the Pirates to 41% from the field, although they did send them to the free throw line 19 times. For the season, Butler is yielding just 62 points per game, while surrendering the 27th fewest field goal attempts.

Offensively, it’s a different story. The Bulldogs rank 324th in points per game (60.4), 238th in effective field goal percentage, 274th in assists, and 298th in total rebounding.

Golden with the nice finish down low despite the contact 💪 #ButlerWay | #Team124 pic.twitter.com/xBtF5P8Bno

— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) January 5, 2022

They’re 0-3 both straight up and against the spread versus ranked teams, putting up an average of only 50.6 points in those three outings.

Xavier vs Butler Pick

The lack of offense doesn’t bode well for their outlook versus the Musketeers. Butler has failed to reach 60 points seven times this season, while Xavier has scored at least 77 points in all but one of its last seven contests.

The Musketeers are 9-4 against the spread, and 6-1 ATS versus teams ranked outside the top-100, like Butler.

📸 | Next stop: Indianapolis, IN#LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/1yMA5JUjbm

— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) January 6, 2022

Xavier’s potent offense doesn’t necessarily mean this game will fly over the total. The Bulldogs play at a snail’s pace and are going to do everything they can to drain the clock. Butler ranks 346th in adjusted tempo per KenPom (out of 358 schools), and 346th as well in average possession length.

Picks: Xavier -5.5 (-110), Under 130.5 (-110)