Xavier vs TCU Expert NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread 12/22/2019

Game: Xavier Musketeers vs TCU Horned Frogs

Date: Sunday, December 22, 2019

Location: Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, TX

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: TCU -2

Total/Over-Under: 130

The Xavier Musketeers travel to Schollmaier Arena to play the TCU Horned Frogs on Sunday, December 22, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has TCU as 2 point favorites.

Xavier heads into this matchup with a mark of 10-2. They currently have a point differential of 9.9 as they are averaging 74.0 points per contest while giving up 64.1 per game. TCU has an overall record of 8-2. They are averaging 73.7 points per game and surrendering 60.7, good for a point differential of 13.0.

Valuable Xavier Musketeers Betting Trends

The Xavier Musketeers are 3-8-1 against the spread

The Xavier Musketeers are 6-6-0 against the over/under

Important TCU Horned Frogs Betting Trends

The TCU Horned Frogs are 3-6-0 against the spread

The TCU Horned Frogs are 3-6-0 against the over/under

Key Xavier Musketeers Injuries

12/18/19 F Naji Marshall Stomach is questionable
12/18/19 F Daniel Ramsey Knee is questionable

Key TCU Horned Frogs Injuries

11/19/19 F Mickey Pearson Jr. Redshirt is out for season

Player Spotlight

Naji Marshall comes into this contest averaging 16.9 points per game while playing 33.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 70%. Paul Scruggs averages 15.2 points per game in 33.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 4.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Desmond Bane averages 16.1 points per game while playing 35.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.8 rebounds per game and has 3.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. RJ Nembhard averages 12.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per contest and 3.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Xavier averages 74.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 137th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 9.9 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 201st. Behind the arc they shoot 29% which is good for 307th in the nation. They average 40.0 rebounds per game and 14.0 assists per game, which ranks them 46th and 139th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 168th with 13.8 per game. The Musketeers allow 64.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 84th in the country. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 29% average from behind the arc, ranking them 59th and 43rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.3 rebounds a game which ranks 182nd and they give up 10.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 37th place in Division 1. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 255th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

TCU is 145th in the country with 73.7 points per game this year. They are 139th in Division 1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 13.0. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 135th in the nation. They are 116th in the NCAA in rebounding with 37.8 boards per game, and 13th in assists per contest with 17.3. The Horned Frogs are 221st in turnovers per game with 13.1. The Horned Frogs surrender 60.7 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in D-1. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 77th and 315th in those defensive statistics. They rank 283rd with 14.4 assists allowed per contest and 117th with 33.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Horned Frogs are 329th in country in forcing turnovers with 17.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Musketeers are 177th in the nation in offensive rating with 101.7. In terms of pace they are 164th in the country with 70.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 230th. As a team they are 229th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 219th in Division 1. Xavier is 218th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

TCU is 230th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16 times per 100 possessions. The Horned Frogs have an offensive rating of 105.1, which is ranked 110th. They are 240th in D-1 in pace with 69.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 100th. As a unit they are 168th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shot attempts, ranking 59th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Xavier/TCU college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take TCU -2

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