Last Updated on March 19, 2010 8:06 am by drew
Xavier-Minn Pick
Friday’s early action in the NCAA Tournament features an interesting game between two at-large teams in Minnesota and Xavier.
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These two teams will battle it out in the West Region with their game taking place at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at 12:25PM ET. The Musketeers are the No. 6 seed while the Gophers are the No. 11 seed
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made this game a pick’em as they see both teams as equals on the neutral court. The over/under for the game has been set at 142.
Xavier is making its 21st NCAA Tournament appearance this year. It is also their fifth straight appearance in March Madness. Xavier has reached the Sweet Sixteen the last two years. Xavier is 24-8 on the year and 14-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Musketeers rank ninth nationally in scoring, as they average 80.6 points per-game. Xavier gives up 69.1 points per-contest, which ranks 174th in the nation. Jordan Crawford lead Xavier with 19.7 points per-game while Terrell Holloway and Jason Love each score 11.8 points per-game. Love also pulls down 8.6 rebounds per-contest.
Minnesota is making its 11th NCAA Tournament appearance, though four previous appearances were forfeited due to sanctions. The Gophers are 21-13 on the year and 9-9 in the Big Ten Conference. The Gophers picked up the at-large bid after reaching the Big Ten Tournament championship game. Minnesota scores 73.2 points per-game, which puts it 79th in the nation. The Gophers allow 64 points per-game, which ranks 59th in the country. The Gophers have a very balanced effort as they have five players that score eight points or more a game. Lawrence Westbrook has led the way with 12.6 points per-game while Blake Hoffarber and Damian Johnson each post 10 points.
This pick is about the respect factors for each conference. Minnesota is an 11 seed, yet the Gophers are at an even line with Xavier. Usually you could say that the oddsmakers know something we don’t, but trends show that Xavier has been successful in March and this year’s A-10 Conference was just as competitive as the Big Ten. For those reasons, we like Xavier and the under.
Our NCAA Tournament Free Pick for this matchup is: XAVIER PICK’EM and UNDER 142
March Madness Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Xavier is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Xavier’s last 6 games
Xavier is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
March Madness Injury Report
XAVIER
No Injuries Reported
MINNESOTA
No Injuries Reported
March Madness Game Odds
Xavier Musketeers PK Over 142
Minnesota Golden Gophers PK Under 142
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Posted: 3/19/10 8:06AM ET