The Wisconsin Badgers had to play big boy basketball to take care of Pittsburgh on Friday night, but they're going to need to lace up their boots once again on Sunday in what might very well turn into an all-out war against the Xavier Musketeers.
All of the Round of 32 NCAA Tournament odds at BookMaker.eu will be ripe for the picking and available up through Sunday's tip time.
HOW THE WISCONSIN BADGERS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
The Badgers got a little reliant on Nigel Hayes against Pittsburgh, and that's why their offense really ended up struggling mightily to finish the job in an ugly 47-43 win. Hayes had an off night, shooting 0-for-6 from beyond the arc and 3-for-17 from the field overall. Fortunately, he was picked up by Ethan Happ and Vitto Brown, the latter of which knocked down three massive threes to take care of the Panthers.
Hayes can't be that bad for Wisconsin to have any chance whatsoever against Xavier, but he's also going to need some help when it comes to taking shots. Someone else will have to ultimately shoot the ball a dozen times in this game to take some of the pressure away from Hayes. If no one else is willing to shoot, the Musketeers will be able to lock in their defense, and that's when games slug along as the Wisky/Pitt game did on Friday night.
HOW THE XAVIER MUSKETEERS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
On a day where No. 2 seeds were challenged all over the country, Xavier had its moments of fright against Weber State. Unlike Michigan State though, the X-Men used their size and bulk to finally wear down the Wildcats enough to score a relatively easy cover.
The advantages for Xavier came on the glass and in the paint. The team was +16 on the boards, but time and time again, James Farr and James Reynolds were getting themselves dunks on unsuspecting foes.
Sure, the level of competition needs to be considered from that first game, but if Farr and Reynolds are as dominating in the paint in this one as they were against Weber State, they'll be on their way to the Sweet 16.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Xavier only shot four free throws against Weber State, but that isn't going to happen again in this one because the Badgers aren't going to give up uncontested dunk after uncontested dunk.
This game is going to end up being incredibly physical, and though you'd think that might play into the hands of a Wisconsin team which ran to the Final Four last season and has a pedigree for slugging out wins this time of year, we just aren't sure Xavier is the team to do that against. The Musketeers are perfectly winning to play a game in the 50s, but they've got enough offensive firepower that they shouldn't have to.
Let's not forget that these Musketeers are incredibly experienced at this level as well; Remy Abell will be playing in his 11th NCAA Tournament contest on Sunday. We think there's more than enough offense here for the X-Men to ultimately get their way past a Wisconsin team which will surely be reeling from the physical toll Friday's game against Pittsburgh took on it.
Xavier 65, Wisconsin 55
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go.
Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers and Xavier Musketeers will go down Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 8:40 p.m. ET at the Scottrade Center. The matchup will be televised live on TNT.
