Xavier finds themselves in a familiar situation when they enter their Round of 32 matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers Sunday. The Musketeers have not lost a game in the second round of March Madness since 2007, going 5-0 SU since then (and 7-0 ATS dating back to 2003). Xavier will be facing a Wisconsin team that has won four consecutive games in the Round of 32 though.
- Xavier is 8-1 SU in their past nine games against the Big Ten.
- Wisconsin is 9-2 SU and ATS in their past 11 games against teams with winning records.
- Five of the past six games between Second and Seventh seeds have gone UNDER.
Wisconsin has gotten to the tournament by getting back to defensive basketball. The Badgers are holding opponents to just 64.6 points per game this season, which has also made them go UNDER in nine of their past 10 games. Wiscy played in a ridiculously low-scoring game against Pitt in the first round when the two teams combined for 90 points.
Xavier easily cruised past Weber State in their first game of the NCAA Tournament by holding the normally explosive offense of Weber State to just 53 points and a 38.6 shooting percentage from the floor. Senior James Farr’s experience has played a big factor for the Musketeers recently, as the forward has averaged 18 points and 12.5 rebounds in the past two games.
Wisconsin Badgers vs Xavier Musketeers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Wisconsin Badgers will try to spoil to the party and cover the point spread on Sunday; they are 17-16 ATS against the betting line this season, while the Xavier Musketeers are 20-13 ATS. Wisconsin Badgers are 14-19 on betting the total; Xavier Musketeers are 21-11-1.
The Xavier Musketeers sit at No. 49 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Wisconsin Badgers sit at No. 54 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
In the paint, the rebound battle will feature Xavier's No. 10-rated squad against Wisconsin's No. 189-rated roster. And in long-range shooting, Xavier rates No. 98 in the country with 7.58 per game, while their foes tonight, the Wisconsin Badgers rank No. 172 nationally with 6.52 per match.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Badgers got 15 points from Ethan Happ as Wisconsin ran past Pittsburgh 47-43 on Friday at Scottrade Center.
James Farr scored 18 points leading the Musketeers to a 71-53 victory over Weber State at Scottrade Center on Friday.
