Florida Gators vs Xavier Musketeers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/20/2022

Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, March 20, 2022

Venue:  Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH 

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Florida +3, Xavier -3; Over/Under:  144.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Florida +3, Xavier -3; Over/Under:  144.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Florida +3, Xavier -3; Over/Under:  144.5 points

 

Florida Gators:  20-13 (7th place, SEC)

Xavier Musketeers:  19-13 (7th place, Big East)

 

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Florida Gators:  3-2 last 5

Xavier Musketeers:  2-3 last 5

 

 

 

Florida is coming into this game with a 20-13 record overall and they are 4-6 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They have lost 2 of their last 3 games but are coming into this one off of a win in their last game which snapped a 2 game losing streak that they were on. Their 2 losses in that span were against the Kentucky Wildcats and the Texas A&M Aggies while their win came against the Iona Gaels in their last game. Colin Castleton and Phlandrous Fleming Jr. both led the team in points in that game with 18 each while Kowacie Reeves and Tyree Appleby were both next on the team with 14 points each. Appleby led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Castleton led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 46.9% from the field, 29.2% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 84.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.6 PPG against them. Florida has an ATS record of 15-18 this season and their O/U record is 15-17-1.

 

 

Xavier is coming into this game with a 19-13 record overall and they are 14-5 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They have won 2 of their last 3 games and are coming into this one off of a win in their last game. Their last loss was against the Butler Bulldogs while their 2 wins in that span came against the Georgetown Hoyas and the Cleveland State Vikings in their last game. Adam Kunkel off the bench led the team in points in that game with 14 while Zach Freemantle was next on the team with 13 points. Colby Jones led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Freemantle led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 38.7% from the field, 26.9% from 3-point range, and 73.9% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 73.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69.2 PPG against them. Xavier has an ATS record of 14-18 this season and their O/U record is 15-16-1.

 

Xavier is coming into this game as a 3 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Florida got by in round 1 with a 5 point win against Iona but they have not been playing well recently as they have lost 2 of their last 3 games and even the win they are coming off of was not that great either. They are in a weird time right now as they have fired their head coach and just hired a new one before this game. They are clearly focused on next year already and they will likely not be giving their best effort in this game on the road. They are going up against a Xavier side that was not playing well near the end of their season and they will be looking to salvage something out of this season that they were expecting to do more in. They just escaped their game in round 1 and this will likely be a closer game but Xavier likely cares more about this game, especially with it being at home, and they should be able to edge out Florida here and cover the spread as well. 

 

Florida Xavier Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Sunday, March 20, 2022 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Xavier 74 Florida 68.

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Florida Gators: 18-11 ATS against Big East conference opponents. 21-14 UNDER after playing a game as a home favorite. 16-8 UNDER after failing to cover the spread in 2 or more consecutive games.

Xavier Musketeers: 11-21 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5. 20-39 ATS as a favorite. 20-12 UNDER when the total is 140 to 149.5.

 

 

Florida Gators:  A. Duruji (F) Ques Sat - Ankle injury. C. Felder (F) Ques Sat - Hip injury.

Xavier Musketeers:  C. Edwards (F) Ques Sat - Foot injury.

 

 

"We're incredibly excited about bringing in Todd, who is an innovative, relationship-oriented coach, to lead our men's basketball program. Todd brings a smart and analytics-driven approach to the game and a relational approach to leadership that puts student-athletes first.” - Scott Stricklin on hiring Todd Golden to be their new head coach.

 

 

"Basketball nowadays, it's not something that's guaranteed. COVID can take it away. Injuries can take it away. So to have the opportunity to play basketball is just an amazing thing and you always got to take advantage of every time you step out on the court." - Zach Freemantle on getting to play in the NIT tourney.

 

 

 

T. Appleby 

C. Castleton

A. Duruji 

M. Jones 

B. McKissic

 

J. Hunter 

N. Johnson 

C. Jones 

D. Miles 

P. Scruggs

 

 

PPG: C. Castleton (16.4)

APG: T. Appleby (3.7)

Reb/G: C. Castleton (9.1)

 

PPG: J. Nunge (13.1)

APG: P. Scruggs (4)

Reb/G: C. Jones (7.6)

 

Coaches:

Florida Gators: Michael White (7th season)

Xavier Musketeers: Travis Steele (4th season)