Posted on
2/18/2008 3:24:43 PM
College Basketball Betting A-10 Showdown - Xavier at Rhode Island
By Eric Williams
The Xavier Musketeers, (21-4 SU, 9-12 ATS, 10-11 O/U) are making a habit of winning close, taut ball games down the stretch while the Rhode Island Rams (20-5 SU, 12-9-2 ATS, 14-8 O/U) have quietly put together an absolutely fine season despite a serious lack of national attention after being ranked in the AP Poll in late December and early January.
The 12th-ranked Musketeers won another close contest at Charlotte on Wednesday, beating the 49ers 62-60 for its seventh straight victory and 13th in their last 14 games.
The Musketeers have used their run to take two-game lead over
St. Joseph's in the A-10.
"The point I make is, when North Carolina plays at Virginia and they win by two, its like, `That's life in the ACC,"' Xavier coach Sean Miller said. "Well in our conference this season, we have great depth and we have some real quality teams."
The Musketeers will have their hands full with the Rams who have won six of their last ten and are 11-0 at home this season but lost on the road to the Temple Owls on the road last Wednesday 92-89 in overtime.
The Musketeers will have one strong trend working for them in their favor in this contest as the Rams have lost 15 consecutive games against ranked opponents since beating then-No. 21 Utah 70-62 on Dec. 2, 1998.
Xavier also features one of the most balanced offenses in the nation with six players averaging at least 10.2 points per game, led by senior point guard Drew Lavender, (11.7 ppg).
Rhode Island has just three players averaging double figures in scoring but is getting nearly 19 points per game, (18.4) from senior forward Will Daniels who is also shooting a terrific .49 percent from the field.
The Rams are averaging a whopping 81.5 points per game on 47.2 percent shooting while the Musketeers are putting up 77.1 points per contest on 47.7 percent shooting. Both teams are limiting their opponents to almost ten points per game less than they are averaging offensively, (62.7 ppg for Xavier and 71.8 ppg for Rhode Island).
Here is a look at several of tonight’s key trends followed by my NCAAB Betting Free Picks.
The Musketeers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
The Musketeers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
The Rams are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 home games.
The Under is 4-1 in Musketeers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Over is 5-0 in Rams last 5 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Analysis: While the Rhode Island Rams are undefeated at home this season, I like the Xavier Musketeers to hand them their first home loss of the regular season tonight while continuing their march up the national rankings. Take the Musketeers to win another close contest NCAA Basketball betting community.
NCAAB Free Pick: Xavier – 1½ Points
07:00 PM EST NCAAB Betting Odds
Xavier -1½ -110
Rhode Island +1½ -110
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