Pittsburgh vs. Xavier Point Spread, Odds & Prediction

Pittsburgh (22-11 SU 22-10 ATS) vs. Xavier (25-9 SU 17-16 ATS)
When: Sunday, March 19th: 12:10 ET
Where: Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC
TV: CBS
Point Spread: Pitt +5/Xav -5
Total: 152.5
Money Line: Pittsburgh Panthers +178/Xavier Musketeers -220

On Sunday, March 19th at 12:10 ET, the Pittsburgh Panthers (22-11 SU, 22-10 ATS) will take on the Xavier Musketeers (25-9 SU, 17-16 ATS) at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC. The game will be televised on CBS. The current point spread for the game is Pitt +5/Xav -5, with a total of 152.5. The money line odds are Pittsburgh Panthers +178/Xavier Musketeers -220.

Line Movement

The spread hit the board with Xavier a -5 favorite, and while it has moved half a point either way depending on the book, the current consensus line is back to its opener. The total opened at 152.5 points, and late betting has seen it drop to 151.5/151.

Last Game Info

Pittsburgh will be looking for another win, as they most recently defeated Iowa State by a score of 69-96. The Panthers also picked up an ATS victory as they were +5 point, underdogs. The combined 165 points finished above the 137.5 total line.

Xavier will be looking for another win, as they most recently defeated Kennesaw State by a score of 65-51. The Musketeers also picked up an ATS victory as the were -2 point underdogs. The combined 116 points did not surpass the 155 total line.

Current Form

Pittsburgh
Over their last five games, Pittsburgh has a straight-up record of 3-2 while going 4-1 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Panthers’ offense averages 82.8 points per game while hitting 47.3% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 50.4% from the field while allowing 85.0 points per contest.

Xavier
In their previous five contests, Xavier is 4-1 straight-up and 1-4 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 78.8 points per game on a shooting percentage of 48.0%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 44.2% of their shots while giving up 72.8 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Pittsburgh’s opponents comes in at 81.3. On the other side, Xavier’s combined opponent power rating sits at 84.6.

How Does Pittsburgh Fare On Neutral Courts?

On neutral courts, the Panthers put together a mark of 1-3 this season.

How Does Xavier Fare On Neutral Courts?

This season, the Musketeers are 3-3 in games on neutral courts.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Pittsburgh is averaging 61.5 points per game (442nd) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 41.4%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against a Xavier defense that has allowed an average of 74.1 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 44.4% of their shots vs. Xavier. Conversely, the Xavier Musketeers are coming into the game averaging 73.9 points per game on a shooting percentage of 44.6%. The Musketeers will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 70.5 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 42.9% of their shots vs. the Panthers.

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Pittsburgh has a shooting percentage of 31.4% while ranking 605th in attempts per game. The Panthers will be facing a Xavier defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 36.3%. Xavier enters the game having hit 32.5% of their looks from deep while averaging 6.81 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Pittsburgh has allowed opponents to hit 34.0% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Pittsburgh

• No Reported Injuries

Xavier

• Zach Freemantle (Out) Foot
• Kyky Tandy (Out) Foot
• Kam Craft (Out) Knee

Pick Against The Spread

I’m a bit late on this, so here’s a quick analysis. Pitt held Iowa State to 41 points and Mississippi State to 59. Those are two teams that don’t scare many defenses, especially on the road. Before those two games, the Panthers allowed their last five opponents to score 78 or more points per. Xavier looked awful on defense in the first half against Kennesaw St, getting lit up for 43 points, but shut them down in the second, allowing just 24. I think they can build on that today. They held Marquette and Creighton to 65 or fewer in their two prior, and a repeat of anything near that gives them an easy cover. Take Xavier -5