Texas vs Xavier Prediction, Game Preview, NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

Texas vs Xavier Prediction, Game Preview

Texas vs Xavier How To Watch

Date: Friday, March 24
Game Time: 9:45 pm
Venue: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
How To Watch: CBS
Record: Texas (28-8), Xavier (27-9)
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- AP Poll All-Time Greatest College Basketball Programs

Why Xavier Will Win

The explosive Musketeer offense can take games over in a hiccup

The team might have a few tough lapses - especially to start the second halves - but the attack put up 48 in the 84-73 win over Pitt, the threes were dropping, and the ball movement was next level.

Texas is great on the move and thrives on takeaways and defense, but Xavier has a way of dragging teams out of their styles. 

It's fourth in the nation - and the best from the Big East - at shooting the three, it's sixth in the nation in field goal percentage, and don't bother showing up if you're not prepared to hang at least 80 on the board.

With the win on Sunday, Xavier is now 22-1 when scoring 80 or more, 27-3 when scoring 72 or more, and ...

Why Texas Will Win

The amazing Texas defense has no problems blaming down on teams that live on high-octane scoring power.

It's good at guarding the three, excellent at getting back in transition, and it has a way to keep scores relatively low.

The offensive punch is there - it led the Big 12 in shooting, scoring, and free throws - but it's stronger when the D is humming. 

After beating Penn State 71-66 to get here, Texas is 23-0 when keeping teams to 72 points or fewer. It has a way of coming through late, it nails just about every key free throw, and when it turns up the intensity on D, it takes over.

Xavier is 1-7 when scoring 72 points or fewer, so ...

Texas vs Xavier What's Going To Happen

Can Texas keep this at its own pace?

It might be fantastic at cranking up the offense, and it's a whole lot deeper and even better on the move. On the flip side, Xavier is better on the boards and leads the nation in assists. 

Both teams can crank up the O. One team is better on D.

Texas vs Xavier Prediction, Line

Texas 77, Xavier 72
Line: Texas -4, o/u: 148.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Ranking: 4.5
- NCAA Tournament Schedule, Previews, Predictions

CFN Expert Picks: NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
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Creighton vs Princeton | Texas vs Xavier