College hoops betting interest focuses on the Xavier vs Gonzaga battle Saturday at Cintas Center as the Musketeers look to defend home court and cover the NCAAB point spread.

This season, the Musketeers are 9-3 overall and 4-6 ATS ATS, while the Bulldogs are 10-2 and 6-6 ATS against the number. As for the totals, Xavier boasts a 5-5 on the OU, and Gonzaga is 4-7-1.



View Gonzaga vs Xavier Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
If you're going with the Musketeers in this one, they're listed as 2.5-point favorites on the NCAAB betting menu for Monday's contest.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 30-ranked Musketeers and the No. 115-rated Bulldogs in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 81-75 win for the Bulldogs on Saturday.



How They Match Up:
Rebounding is always a key handicapping consideration and Bulldogs is ranked No. 108 in NCAA hoops at 36.8 per game. Contrast that with Xavier’s No. 35 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, Xavier is the No. 292-ranked team in the country at 4.8 per game, while Gonzaga rates No. 114 at 6.9 per game.

Defensively, Gonzaga features the nation's No. 321-rated defense on the road, allowing 82 points per game. Xavier, meanwhile, comes in at No. 228 nationally in scoring at home.

In their last action, Gonzaga was a 90-51 Sportsbook at home against Portland. They covered the 22–point spread as favorites. Gonzaga cruised to victory on Wednesday, running Portland out of the gym and running up a 90-51 score at McCarthey Athletic Center.

Xavier was an 87-77 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Southern Illinois. They failed to cover the 12–point spread as favorites. The Salukis endured an 87-77 loss at the hands of the Musketeers on Sunday, despite a 22-point effort from Dantiel Daniels at Stan Sheriff Center.


Gonzaga Bulldogs Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Pepperdine are 8-2
After playing Portland are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

Xavier Musketeers Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing La Salle are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

A few Bulldogs at Musketeers trends to consider:
Gonzaga is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Gonzaga's last 6 games on the road
Xavier is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home
Xavier is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Xavier's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Xavier's last 6 games


Next up:
Gonzaga home to Pepperdine, Thursday, January 5
Xavier at La Salle, Wednesday, January 4