As we get closer to the end of the regular season in NCAA men’s basketball, this weekend brings another slate of dramatic showdowns. Alabama will visit Auburn in a matchup that could shape seedings in the SEC tournament. TCU will host Baylor in a game that has implications for the Big 12 title chase. Creighton has won seven in a row and finally resembles the team that was picked to win the Big East, and they will host Connecticut. We have a pair of Friday night NCAA Basketball betting picks for your consideration.
NCAA News: Top College Basketball Bets for the Weekend
Xavier Musketeers (-6.5) at Butler Bulldogs (O/U 145.5)
When: Friday, February 10
Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: Fox Sports 1 / Online Streaming: fuboTV
Xavier (19-5) rides in on the momentum of a 96-71 shellacking of St. John’s as the Musketeers drained 15 three-balls, a season high. They led from start to finish and built up a lead as large as 30, shooting 53.6% from three-point land, while limiting St. John’s to 39.1% overall shooting as a team. Jack Nunge led the Musketeers with 21 points while dishing out six assists, and he knocked down four shots from distance. This game helped him pick up his second trophy for Big East Player of the Week this season. The Musketeers score 83.8 points per game, the sixth-highest total in the country, and their three-point shooting (40.4%) is second in the nation. Overall, they have the third-best shooting percentage (50.2%). On defense, they permit 76.0 points per game, but some of that is the result of their up-tempo style. They also allow 37.0% three-point shooting, which ranks just 337th in the nation. They rebound well, with an average differential of +4.8 per game.
Butler (12-13) also beat St. John’s in their last game to end a five-game skid. The Bulldogs were actually behind for most of the game, but then their defense clamped down on St. John’s over the last 3:50, not allowing a single point over that time span, and they won, 68-66. Butler only scores 66.5 points per game, as they play a much more grinding pace than does Xavier. They rank seventh in the Big East in shooting percentage (44.1%). They permit 67.7 points per game, fourth-best in the conference, but opponents make 44.8% of their shots (which ranks ninth among the 11 teams). They give up almost five more rebounds per game than they pull down. However, they are 9-4 at home this season. Can they give Xavier an Indianapolis surprise? Xavier to win and cover.
New Mexico Lobos (-6.5) at Air Force Falcons (O/U 140.5)
When: Friday, February 10
Where: Clune Arena, US Air Force Academy
Time: 9:00 PM ET
TV: Fox Sports 1 / Online Streaming: fuboTV
New Mexico (19-5) has dropped two in a row and three of four. They did beat Air Force late in January but have not won since, losing to Utah State by 11 and to Nevada by one at home. All five of their losses have come in Mountain West Conference play. Jamal Mashburn Jr has been an elite player in the MWC, and he has 20 or more points in four of his last five games, and Jaelen House put up 19 points in the previous win over Air Force and scores 17.3 points per game. Morris Udeze has 15.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. As a team, the Lobos score 81.8 points per game, 16th in the nation, but their defense ranks 240th as they permit 71.7 points per contest.
Air Force (12-13) is trying to end a six-game skid on Friday night. The last time they won came against Wyoming in mid-January. On Tuesday, they lost at home, 69-53, to Colorado State as two-point underdogs, and the Falcons have only covered twice in their last six games. Sophomore guard Jake Heidbreder has struggled this season, shooting no better than 40% from the floor in three of his last four games. He scored 13 against Colorado State and averages 14 points per game on the season. Rytis Petraitis has hit 19 or more points in two of his last three games, pushing his scoring average to 9.8 points per night. At home, Air Force has a 9-7 record on the season. Falcons to cover.
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