Houston Cougars vs. Xavier Musketeers – In a captivating NCAA Men’s Basketball matchup, the undefeated Houston Cougars (7-0) are set to face off against the Xavier Musketeers (4-3) this Friday. With both teams showcasing their unique strengths this season, this game is a must-watch for fans and a critical consideration for NCAAB free picks today.
Houston Cougars vs. Xavier Musketeers
Date & Time: Friday, December 1, 2023, at 6:30 PM ET
Location: Cintas Center
TV: FS1
Houston Cougars vs. Xavier Musketeers Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Cougars | -375 | -7 (-110) | 138.5 over (-110) |
| Musketeers | -375 | +7 (-110) | 138.5 under (-110) |
Houston Cougars Analysis
The Houston Cougars enter with a perfect 7-0 record, winning by an average margin of 17.3 points per game. They have found great success on offense, averaging 76.3 points per contest on 44.6% shooting. LJ Cryer leads the charge with 17 points while the team dishes out 14 assists per game.
Defensively, the Cougars are just as impressive, holding opponents to only 58.9 points on 40.1% shooting. They clean up the glass well, pulling down 41.4 rebounds per game compared to only 31.4 for their opponents. Houston does commit their fair share of fouls at 17.1 per game.
LJ Cryer is carrying the load for this Houston team. The junior guard is playing 30.6 minutes a night and scoring a team-high 17 points on efficient 42.4% shooting. He rarely turns it over and shoots the 3 ball at a high clip. Cryer will need another productive outing.
Xavier Musketeers Analysis
Xavier has been solid if unspectacular so far, entering at 4-3 while scoring 77.1 points per game. Their balanced attack sees five players average double figures, led by guard Desmond Claude‘s 16.7 points per contest. The Musketeers shoot a respectable 46.6% from the field.
The Musketeers have been vulnerable at times defensively, allowing 73.4 points on 44.1% shooting. They do crash the boards well, especially on the offensive end where they average 10.6 rebounds per game. Xavier’s Achilles heel has been turnovers, coughing it up 12.3 times per contest.
Claude is the catalyst for the Musketeers, filling the stat sheet as a dual threat guard. He scores 16.7 points while dishing out 3.6 assists and grabs 3.7 rebounds per game. His playmaking ability makes Xavier dangerous.
Houston Cougars vs. Xavier Musketeers Against the Spread
Houston Cougars has been stellar against the spread recently, covering in 9 of their last 11 Friday games. Xavier has also performed well, going 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 Friday matchups. The Cougars are getting disrespect as 7-point road favorites against a 4-3 Xavier team.
While the Xavier Musketeers have defended their home court well, winning 15 of 17 at the Cintas Center, Houston has been even better on the road. The Cougars are 10-0 straight up in their last 10 games away from home. Their smothering defense travels well.
Houston Cougars vs. Xavier Musketeers Free Pick
Based on odds, trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Houston -375
While the odds are juiced, Houston is the superior team and they have dominated on the road. Lay the moneyline price on the undefeated Cougars.
Spread: Houston -7 (-110)
Xavier plays well at home but Houston’s defense is elite. The Cougars cover this surprisingly large spread.
Total: 138.5 under (-110)
These are two quality defensive teams that don’t Allow many second chance points. Expect a grind it out game that stays Under the total.
Predicted Score: Houston Cougars 72, Xavier Musketeers 63
The Houston Cougars are worthy road favorites tonight despite the inflated spread. Their defense travels anywhere and will give the Musketeers fits all night long. Look for Houston to stifle Xavier en route to covering the 7-point margin for bettors. LJ Cryer leads the way offensively to help the Cougars stay perfect on the year. There is great value backing the visitors given recent trends and stats for both squads. Don’t hesitate to place your wager with top Canadian live betting sites.
