Only one Top 25 team will be playing in the NCAAB on Friday, February 24, and that’s a good reason to check out the best Musketeers vs. Pirates betting pick and odds.

Both Xavier and Seton Hall will be looking to avoid the fourth defeat in five games when they meet at Prudential Center. The Musketeers are slight 1-point favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 140.5 points. These Big East foes will meet for the second time this season; the Musketeers won 73-70 in Cincinnati, OH.

Musketeers fell short of Villanova at home

The Xavier Musketeers (20-8, 15-12-1 ATS) managed to avoid the third loss in a row with a win over the DePaul Blue Demons at home but fell short to the Villanova Wildcats in the next one. The Musketeers had a 10-point lead in the second half; however, that wasn’t enough to get a victory. The hosts had a game-winning shot, but Souley Boum missed a layup and the Wildcats snatched a 64-63 win. Xavier was better in both rebounds (34-26) and assists (17-13) but committed 14 turnovers opposite Villanova’s seven, which cost the hosts in the end.

Senior guard Souley Boum led the Musketeers with 17 points and four rebounds. Jerome Hunter added 14 points and four boards, Jack Nunge posted a double-double of 12 points and game-high ten rebounds, while Adam Kunkel scored ten points with four boards.

F Zach Freemantle is out of action due to a left foot issue, and he is expected to return in early March.

Pirates lost to UConn on the road

The Seton Hall Pirates (16-12, 15-12-0 ATS) lost three of the previous four games, including the most recent one to the UConn Huskies on the road. The Pirates weren’t good from the floor as they shot 39.6% and made only two three-pointers from 11 attempts, while the Huskies dominated the boards (39-25). Seton Hall will now play the next two games at home and then will conclude the season against the Providence Friars on the road.

Senior forward Tyrese Samuel led the Pirates in a 64-55 loss to UConn with 16 points and four rebounds. Al-Amir Dawes also scored 16 with two steals, while KC Ndefo added 13 points and game-high five boards. Seton Hall’s defense contributed miserable three points.

G/F Dre Davis is idle with an ankle injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. F Kadary Richmond exited the last game with a back injury, and it is unknown if he will face Xavier on Friday.

Trends:

Xavier:

  • 8-2 ATS in the last ten games vs. a team with a winning straight-up record
  • 9-3-1 ATS in the last 13 games following an ATS loss
  • 6-2-1 ATS in the last nine Friday games

Seton Hall:

  • 0-4 ATS in the last four home games
  • 1-4 ATS in the last five games following an ATS win

Xavier Musketeers vs. Seton Hall Pirates Pick

Xavier is playing without the second top scorer Zach Freemantle, but the Musketeers have a lot of offensive weapons to choose from, unlike the Pirates. The Musketeers have a top-20 offense in college basketball that averages 81.9 points per game opposite Seton Hall’s 68.3 ppg. Although the Pirates have a stronger defense, they will need a good offense to outscore the visitors here. Considering the hosts will be likely playing without Dre Davis and Kadary Richmond – that is not going to happen. I am backing the Musketeers to sweep the season series.

Pick: Take the Musketeers at -1 (-110)

The Total

The only way for the Pirates to win this game is a low-scoring affair. They do allow only 64.4 points per game, which is a top-40 defense in the country. Given the fact that the Musketeers failed to score more than 68 points in three of their previous four games, Seton Hall will have a chance to limit Xavier to below 70 points. Under is 4-0 in the Musketeers’ last four overall; Under is 4-1 in Xavier’s previous five road games, while Under is 9-3 in the Pirates’ last 12 overall.

Pick: Go Under 142.5 points (-130)