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Xavier vs. DePaul Prediction and Odds (Bet on Blue Demons to Regress After Beating Seton Hall)

By Matt De Saro

The Xavier Musketeers are gunning for their second win in a row when they take on the DePaul Blue Demons on the road.
The Xavier Musketeers are gunning for their second win in a row when they take on the DePaul Blue Demons on the road. / Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY
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The Big East is back in action when the No. 20 Xavier Musketeers head to face the DePaul Blue Demons in Chicago. Xavier is entering Wednesday night coming off a home victory over Creighton Saturday night 80-73.

The win couldn’t have come at a better time as the Musketeers had lost two of three after starting the season 11-1. 

DePaul, meanwhile, had a similar bounce-back win their last time out. After losing five games in a row, the Blue Demons came out and shocked No. 20 Seton Hall 96-92.

It was a result that nobody saw coming. Because of that, now DePaul is just a 7.5 point underdog against the new No. 20 teams in the nation. This, despite being the 10th ranked team in the Big East with a 10-6 overall record and just one win since Dec. 14, 2010.

Seems like a bit of recency bias to me. Here are the odds for this important Big East matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Xavier vs. DePaul Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Xavier -7.5 (-110)
  • DePaul +7.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Xavier -330
  • DePaul +225

Total: 151 (Over -110/Under -110)

Xavier vs. DePaul Prediction and Pick

I am choosing to look at the DePaul win over Seton Hall as exactly what it was. A fluke win. While the Blue Demons have a good record as underdogs against the spread at 5-3, they are not a team that can beat a top 20 team on a regular basis. 

The Musketeers are looking to regain the winning magic they had early on in the season when they went 11-1.  I am seeing some of that magic again after watching them beat Creighton and move to 13-3.

The Musketeers dominated the turnover game with 21 total and came back from five down to go on a 19-4 run to win the game. On the year. Xavier is averaging a decent 75.6 points per game, which ranks them in the top 100. Xavier’s defense is their bread and butter and ranks 52nd in the nation in scoring defense.

I think this will be a test for Xavier. But a test that it will pass with flying colors. I’m betting on the road team to eke out a close game for their second victory in a row. 

Pick: Xavier -7.5

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