Xavier vs Butler | Prediction & Pick

vs.

# 8 Xavier Musketeers vs Butler Bulldogs
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 9:00 PM EST on ESPN

Spread: Xavier -5.5
Money Line: Xavier -240 / Butler +2000
Over/Under: 124

College Basketball Odds: Mid-Major Matchup Pits Xavier Against Butler

The Xavier Musketeers will look to add to their impressive 2011-12 campaign with a victory over the Butler Bulldogs this Wednesday. Nothing adds to early season confidence like a win over the previous season’s NCAA Tournament runner-up.

Click Here for more FREE EXPERT NCAA Basketball Picks

Though Butler struggled at times in November, there’s no denying the threat they pose to opposing teams on any given night. That’s the effect consecutive trips to the national championship will have on a team.

As a result, the No. 11-ranked Musketeers will have to show up ready to play if they hope to defend their spot in the AP polls and on the NCAA basketball futures list. They may not be a shoo-in to win the tournament yet, but the program’s March Madness odds are creeping up slowly.

Has Xavier’s success this season been a product of their schedule? We’ll find out. Aside from a Nov. 28 overtime win over No. 19 Vanderbilt, all of the Musketeers’ wins have come against unranked opponents.

It may not be the juggernaut matchup casual fans are looking for on the docket, but the December bout between two mid-major conferences is a fine opportunity for college basketball betting fans to get a good look at some of the wildcard teams they may later see in their March Madness brackets.

Will it be the suspiciously highly-ranked Musketeers walking away on top? Or everybody’s favorite underdog making headlines yet again?

The odds makers have the Xavier Musketeers as a -5.5 point favorite with an over/under of 124.

Need more help making your picks winners? Check out our top  handicappers.

Bet on the Xavier/Butler game using your credit card at the web’s most trusted online sportsbook: Bovada.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Trends:

• Xavier 6-0-1 SU in its last 7 games
• Xavier is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
• Xavier is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Xavier’s last 7 games on the road

Butler Bulldogs Betting Trends:

• Butler is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games
• Butler is 18-3 SU in its last 21 games at home
• Butler is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Butler’s last 6 games on the road