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Texas vs Xavier Prediction, Preview & Odds: NCAA Tournament First Four
© Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

You’re here, Texas - let’s see what you can do with the opportunity.

Totally mediocre throughout the SEC campaign, the 14th team from the conference got in after beating Vanderbilt and Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament. However, it ended the regular season on a 4-8 run.

Xavier was the opposite. It closed out hot with seven straight wins, but bowed out fast in the Big East Tournament in a thriller of a loss to Marquette.

The winner gets Illinois on Friday night.

Texas vs Xavier Game Preview

Texas vs Xavier How To Watch

Date: Wednesday, March 19
Venue: UD Arena, Dayton, OH
Time: 9:10 pm ET
TV: truTV
Teams: Texas (20-12), Xavier (20-12)
Region: Midwest

NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions, Previews

Why Texas Will Win

The Longhorns can score, they don’t turn the ball over, and they’re good on the free throw line.

They have not problem getting up and down the floor and going in scoring spurts, but they’re at their bast when the defense is able to keep the tempo from getting out of hand.

Xavier’s defense is just okay, it doesn’t come up with offensive boards, and …

Why Xavier Will Win

The Musketeers will try to make this a track meet right away.

They’re great from three, wonderful at cranking up the scoring punch, and few teams in the tournament are better from the free throw line.

Yes, Texas can score, but the team is 14-0 when allowing fewer than 72 points, 16-1 when giving up fewer than 73, and 3-14 when allowing 74 or more.

Texas vs Xavier: Who Will Win?

Xavier has been held to 72 points or fewer 11 times and went 3-8.

It’ll pull the Longhorns into a bit more of an up-and-down shootout than they’d like, they’ll be strong on the free throw line late, and yeah, playing just 50 miles from home should help.

Watch the threes early. If the Musketeers are hitting them, it’s on.

Texas vs Xavier Prediction, Betting Lines

Prediction: Xavier 76, Texas 72
Texas vs Xavier Betting Lines
BetMGM Line: Xavier -2.5, o/u: 149.5
DraftKings Line: Xavier -3.5, o/u: 149.5
FanDuel Line: Xavier -2.5, o/u: 149.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

First Look Quick Analysis, Predictions
East | Midwest | South | West

Fiu Bluesky | CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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