Washington vs Xavier Prediction & Picks: Huskies, Musketeers Meet in Vegas Nightcap

Major contrasts will be on display in today’s Continental Tire Main Event semifinals. In the first semifinal (9:30 pm ET, ESPN+) between Saint Mary’s and San Diego State, points will likely be at a premium. But in the second semifinal between Washington and Xavier (11:59 pm ET, ESPN2), points are likely to be much more plentiful.

Both the Huskies and Musketeers will be looking to rebound after losing last time out. Despite another productive performance from Keion Brooks Jr. (19 points, 11 rebounds), Washington (2-1) suffered an 83-76 home loss to Nevada last Sunday.

On Monday, Xavier (2-1) visited #2 Purdue and put in a respectable showing against the Boilermakers but ultimately fell 83-71. Desmond Claude led the way for the Musketeers with 15 points (6 of 11 FG) and six assists, but Xavier did not have an answer for Zach Edey (28 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks).

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Both of these teams are still very much in the process of trying to figure out what they are and what they have, but with some very talented players on both sides, we should be in for an entertaining matchup at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

How will it play out? The Musketeers are favored to win, but the small margin indicates that a tight contest could be in the cards.

Washington vs Xavier Odds

Odds are courtesy of Bovada.

Spread

• Washington +2.5 (-110)
• Xavier -2.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 154 (-110)
• Under 154 (-110)

Moneyline

• Washington +120
• Xavier -140

Washington vs Xavier Prediction & Picks

Prediction: Xavier to win

Picks: Xavier -2.5 (-110 at Bovada) & Xavier team total over 78.5 points (-115 at Bovada)

That the Musketeers were able to keep the scoreline respectable (and make it a winning night for bettors who backed them to cover the 18-point spread) is no small feat, especially with how the game went.

While Purdue shot 50.9% (29 of 57) overall from the field and 46.7% (7 of 15) from three and made 18 of 21 free throws, Xavier shot only 28% (7 of 25) from three and 44.8% (30 of 67) from the field overall, and they attempted only six free throws.

That should be quite encouraging as the Musketeers continue to navigate without Zach Freemantle and Jerome Hunter.

Tonight, they are in for a challenge of a different kind as they take on the Huskies. Brooks (24.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG) and former Kentucky teammate Sahvir Wheeler (16.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 6.0 APG) are leading the way for Washington, and they will be a handful for the Musketeers.

Can the Huskies shoot free throws and defend well enough to give themselves a chance to win tonight?

Against Nevada, they were done in by an outstanding game by Wolf Pack guard Kenan Blackshear (31 points, five rebounds, six assists) and a horrid night at the charity stripe, where they connected on only 9 of 21 attempts.

I think this will be a competitive contest, and I also think it will be well worth your viewing interest. In the end though, look for Xavier to pull out the win and cover the spread in a game that should see no shortage of scoring.

Where to Bet on College Basketball

If you are looking for college basketball odds, you will always be spoiled for choice. Sports betting sites all over the internet offer a vast array of NCAA basketball odds throughout the season, from the opening tip in November to the conclusion of the season in early April.

Along with being able to bet on countless games, many online sportsbooks offer men’s college basketball national championship odds, women’s college basketball national championship odds, men’s Wooden Award odds, women’s Wooden Award odds, and odds on who will win early season and conference tournaments.

Below are some of the books that we highly recommend for college basketball betting:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• Bovada
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Other College Basketball Content

• Maryland vs Villanova Prediction & Picks
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• College Basketball Betting Guide
• Men’s Wooden Award Winner Odds
• Women’s Wooden Award Winner Odds