Butler (13-16) vs Xavier (19-10)
Game Info: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Hinkle Fieldhouse)
The Line: Betting Odds: Butler +1.5 — Over/Under: 155.5
The Xavier Musketeers are visiting the Butler Bulldogs on Wednesday, March 5th at the Hinkle Fieldhouse. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Xavier Musketeers vs Butler Bulldogs Prediction. We will examine:
The Butler Bulldogs’ recent form and player performance
The Xavier Musketeers’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Butler Bulldogs
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Xavier Musketeers
Recent betting trends in games played between the Xavier Musketeers and Butler Bulldogs
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Xavier Musketeers vs Butler Bulldogs game
Butler Bulldogs Preview
The Butler Bulldogs have a 13-16 record this season and are sitting in 8th place in the Big East. The Bulldogs are coming off a 70-80 loss to Villanova. The Bulldogs are 14-15 against the spread, and 17-12 in over/under, while having a 9-7 home record.
Offensively, Butler is averaging 74.2 points per game, which ranks 174th nationally. Defensively, they allow 72.8 points per game, which is 206th in the nation. The Bulldogs shoot 45.8% from the field (118th) and 36.7% from beyond the arc (49th). The Bulldogs shoot 74.2% from the free-throw line (103rd) and are grabbing 35.8 rebounds per game (154th).
Jahmyl Telfort leads Butler in scoring this season, with an average of 16 points, 4.7 rebounds, and a team-high 3.4 assists, while Pierre Brooks adds 15.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Xavier Musketeers Preview
The Xavier Musketeers have a 19-10 record this season and are sitting in 5th place in the Big East. Xavier is coming off an 83-61 win over Creighton. The Musketeers are 16-13 against the spread, and 13-15-1 in over/under, while having a 4-7 road record.
Offensively, Xavier is averaging 77.3 points per game, which ranks 91st in the nation. Defensively, they allow 70.1 points per game (129th). The Musketeers shoot 46.3% from the field (102nd) and 38.7% from beyond the arc, which is the 10th-best in the nation. The Musketeers shoot 79% from the free throw line, which is the 9th-best nationally, and are grabbing 33.6 rebounds per game (280th).
Zach Freemantle leads Xavier in scoring this season, with an average of 16.8 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds, while Ryan Conwell adds 15.8 points per game. Xavier will take on Providence after this game.
Why the Butler Bulldogs will win
- Butler has won each of its last four home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Xavier has lost five of its last six road night games against the Big East Conference.
- Butler has won the first half in each of its last four home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Xavier Musketeers will win
- Xavier has won each of its last five games.
- Butler has lost four of its last five night games at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
- Xavier has won the first half in each of its last five games against the Big East Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Fourteen of Butler’s last 15 night games at Hinkle Fieldhouse have produced a total of 151 or fewer points.
- Thirteen of Xavier’s last 15 games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Butler ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (7.6).
- Butler ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.76).
- Xavier ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (79.0%).
- Xavier ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for a three-point percentage this season (38.7%).
Xavier Musketeers vs Butler Bulldogs Prediction
Xavier is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings against Butler, and are 3-1 against the spread in their last 4 meetings. Under is 3-0 in their last 3 meetings, and in their previous meeting earlier this season, Xavier won 76-63 at home, covering the spread, as the game went under the point total.
In this Xavier Musketeers vs Butler Bulldogs Prediction, Xavier is coming as a -1.5 road favorites. Xavier is rightfully favored, as they have a better record this season, but they have been below average on the road, while Butler is above average at home. Butler is 1-3 in their last 4 games and 1-3 against the spread, while Xavier has been playing good basketball lately, having won their last 5 games, and going for 4-1 against the spread. Xavier has already won Butler this season by 13 points, and given both teams’ recent form, I expect them to do so again on the road. Take the Xavier Musketeers and lay the points on the road.