Ohio State vs. Xavier Prediction
No. 19 Ohio State figures to receive a good test on Thursday night when they visit Xavier at 6:30 p.m. ET in the Gavitt Tipoff Games in Cincinnati. Will the Musketeers come through for bettors as a small home dog?
Game Snapshot
715 Ohio State Buckeyes (-2.5) at 716 Xavier Musketeers (+2.5); o/u 141.5
6:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, November 18, 2021
Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH
TV: FS1
Ohio State Buckeyes Game Notes
EJ Liddell notched 29 points (9-15 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 8-12 FT), five rebounds, three assists, four blocks and one steal in 28 minutes during Friday’s 84-74 win over Niagara. Liddell was unable to post a double-double Friday after he accomplished the feat in Tuesday’s opener, but he converted 60 percent of his attempts from the floor and topped 25 points once again. The junior has been a consistent force for Ohio State to begin the season.
Xavier Musketeers Game Notes
Paul Scruggs earned 17 points (6-12 FG, 3-6 3pt, 2-3 FT), six assists, five rebounds, three steals and one block through 32 minutes of Tuesday’s 63-60 triumph over Niagara. Scruggs returned for his fifth season at Xavier and kicked it off with two offensive rebounds from his guard position. Scruggs led the team in assists and steals last season, and two of his steals in this game came late in the second half to hold off the final Niagara rally.
Ohio State vs. Xavier Game Prediction
The Musketeers are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games as a home underdog, are 8-3 against the number in their last 11 games as an underdog and are 38-17-4 at the betting window in their last 59 games played on Thursday. On the other side, the Buckeyes are 2-7 against the spread in their last nine games as a favorite.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL BETTING PREDICTION: XAVIER MUSKETEERS +2.5
