Posted on
12/31/2007 3:01:58 PM
NCAA Basketball Betting – Kansas State at Xavier
By Eric Williams
Though neither team is currently ranked in the Nation’s Top 25, both teams, the Kansas State Wildcats, (9-3 SU, 3-4 ATS 5-2 O/U), and the Xavier Musketeers, (9-3 SU, 4-4 ATS, 4-4 O/U), could find themselves in the midst of conference and national title contention in the often upside-down world of college basketball betting.
Kansas State enters tonight’s contest riding a four-game winning streak, including Saturday’s impressive 101-59 win over Wagner in which the team set season-highs in eight team categories, including points (101), field goals (36), assists (22) and steals.
The Wildcats have also been stopping opponents at the defensive end, holding three straight opponents to 60 points or less for the first time this season.
K-State freshman forward, Michael Beasley, (25.8 ppg, 13. rpg), has been nearly unstoppable in his first collegiate basketball season and could be headed to the pros after just one season.
Xavier snapped a two-game losing streak in their last contest, routing Delaware State 65-33 with one of the best defensive performances in school history. The Musketeers are holding their opponents to an average of just 60.9 points per game on 39.9 percent shooting from the field.
Delaware State’s 33 points was the lowest by an XU opponent since the introduction of the shot clock in the 1985-86 season.
Xavier senior All-America candidate Drew Lavender leads the team in scoring (11.8 ppg.), but five Musketeers are averaging double figures in scoring and a sixth player is contributing 9.8 ppg.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my NCAAB Betting Free Pick.
Key Kansas State
The Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a SU win of more than 20 points.
The Wildcats are 3-7 ATS in their last ten games following a S.U. win.
The Wildcats are 3-7 ATS in their last ten non-conference games.
Key Xavier Trends
The Musketeers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games after allowing less than 50 points in their previous game.
The Musketeers are 14-6-1 ATS in their last 21 home games.
The Musketeers are 35-17-1 ATS in their last 53 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 4-0 in Wildcats last four games following a SU win of more than 20 points.
The Over is 4-1 in Wildcats last five road games following three or more consecutive home games.
The Over is 6-1 in Musketeers last seven games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Under is 6-1 in Musketeers last seven Monday games.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
There are no trends available.
Analysis: Though both teams boast similar 9-3 records, it is the Musketeers who are the better balanced team and by far, the better defensive team. Though the Wildcats will have the best player on the floor in Beasley, I say the win goes to Xavier, but the Wildcats cover the spread in the process.
NCAAB Free Pick: Kansas State -8 Points
07:00 PM EST NCAAB Betting Odds
Kansas State +8 -110
Xavier -8 -110
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