Xavier vs Kennesaw State March Madness Predictions, 03/17

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Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

As the NCAA March Madness approaches, the Midwest Region's first-round game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Kennesaw State Owls is shaping up to be an exciting clash of basketball styles. The game will take place on March 17, 2023, at 9:40 AM, at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC, and will be broadcasted live on truTV. In this article, we will provide an extended preview of both teams, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and players to watch. We will also make a final prediction on the outcome of the game.

Kennesaw State Owls

Offensively, guard Chris Youngblood is the team's leading scorer, averaging 14.7 points per game. Youngblood is an excellent scorer who can shoot from long range and get to the basket. He is shooting 46.3% from the field and 82.5% from the free-throw line, showing his efficiency as a scorer. Guard Terrell Burden is another key player for the Owls, leading the team in assists with 4.2 assists per game. He is also a capable scorer, averaging 9.9 points per game.

Forward Brandon Stroud is another player to watch for Kennesaw State. Stroud is a solid defender, averaging 0.9 blocks per game, and contributes 8.7 points per game on offense. Guard Jamie Lewis is another key player on defense, averaging 1.6 steals per game. Lewis is a tenacious defender who plays with high energy and intensity.

Defensively, the Owls have been one of the best teams in the country, allowing only 61.4 points per game, which ranks 11th in the country. Kennesaw State's defense is anchored by forward Brandon Stroud, who averages 0.9 blocks per game, and guard Jamie Lewis, who averages 1.6 steals per game. The Owls play an aggressive style of defense, forcing opponents to commit turnovers and take difficult shots. They are a well-coached team that plays with high energy and intensity on the defensive end.

Kennesaw State's biggest strength this season has been their defense. The Owls play an aggressive style of defense, forcing opponents to commit turnovers and take difficult shots. They are one of the most disciplined and efficient defensive teams in the country, which will be critical in this game, as they will need to slow down Xavier's offense to have a chance at winning.

Offensively, Kennesaw State is not the most imposing team in the country, but they play a disciplined and efficient style of basketball. They are a patient team that takes good shots and limits turnovers. The Owls will need to continue to play with this level of discipline on both ends of the floor if they hope to upset Xavier in the first round of the NCAA March Madness tournament.

In conclusion, the Kennesaw State Owls are a well-coached, disciplined team that has the potential to pull off an upset in the NCAA March Madness tournament. Led by head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and a stifling defense, the Owls have the ability to slow down even the most potent offenses in the country. While their offense may not be the most imposing, they are a patient and disciplined team that takes good shots and limits turnovers. If the Owls can continue to play with this level of discipline, they have a good chance of upsetting Xavier in the first round of the tournament.

Xavier Musketeers

The Xavier Musketeers are no strangers to the NCAA March Madness tournament, having made 28 appearances in the tournament's history. The team's most recent appearance was in 2018, where they reached the Elite Eight before losing to Gonzaga. This season, the Musketeers will be looking to make another deep run in the tournament, and they have the talent to do so.

Led by head coach Travis Steele, who has been with the program since 2017, the Musketeers have been one of the top teams in the Big East Conference this season. Steele has done an excellent job of developing his players and getting the most out of his team's talents. Under his leadership, the Musketeers have become a well-coached, disciplined team that plays hard on both ends of the floor.

Offensively, Xavier is a balanced team, with four players averaging double-digit points per game. Guard Santi Boum is the team's leading scorer, averaging 16.5 points per game. Boum is an excellent scorer, with the ability to shoot from long range and get to the rim. He is shooting 45.1% from the field and 86.3% from the free-throw line, showing his efficiency as a scorer.

Forward Jack Nunge is another key player for Xavier, averaging 11.1 points per game and leading the team in rebounding with 7.8 rebounds per game. Nunge is an efficient scorer, shooting an impressive 58.7% from the field. He is also a solid defender, averaging 0.9 blocks per game.

Guard KyKy Tandy is another player to watch for the Musketeers. Tandy is an excellent perimeter defender, averaging 1.1 steals per game. He is also a capable scorer, averaging 9.7 points per game.

Defensively, Xavier is a solid team, allowing an average of 68.1 points per game. The Musketeers are not the most imposing defensive team in the country, but they play hard and make it difficult for their opponents to score. Forward Jack Nunge is a key player on the defensive end, averaging 0.9 blocks per game. Guard KyKy Tandy is another player to watch on defense, averaging 1.1 steals per game.

One area where the Musketeers have struggled this season is their three-point shooting. Xavier shoots only 31.1% from beyond the arc, which ranks 274th in the country. This is a significant weakness for the team, as they rely heavily on their perimeter shooting to score. If Xavier struggles to shoot from three-point range in the tournament, they will need to rely on their inside game to score.

In conclusion, the Xavier Musketeers are a well-coached, disciplined team that has the talent to make a deep run in the NCAA March Madness tournament. Led by head coach Travis Steele and a balanced offensive attack, the Musketeers have the potential to be a dangerous team in the tournament. However, their struggles with three-point shooting could prove to be a significant weakness, and they will need to rely on their inside game to score if their perimeter shooting is not on point.

BETTING TRENDS

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kennesaw State's last 7 games.

Kennesaw State are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.

Kennesaw State are 0-9 SU in their last 9 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.

Kennesaw State are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games played in March.

Kennesaw State are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Friday.

Xavier are 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Xavier's last 6 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Xavier's last 15 games against an opponent in the Pac-12 conference.

The total has gone OVER in 9 of Xavier's last 11 games played in March.

Prediction

While Xavier is a well-coached, disciplined team with a balanced offensive attack, their struggles with three-point shooting this season have been a significant weakness that Kennesaw State can capitalize on. Kennesaw State's stifling defense, which allows only 61.4 points per game, ranks 11th in the country, and is one of the best defensive units in the tournament. This defensive prowess could prove to be the key factor in this game, as they will need to slow down Xavier's offense to have a chance at winning.

Kennesaw State's aggressive style of defense, which forces opponents to commit turnovers and take difficult shots, could also prove to be challenging for Xavier's offense to handle. Additionally, the Owls' patient and disciplined offensive play style could allow them to limit turnovers and take good shots, even against a solid Xavier defense. This could help them keep the game close and potentially even pull off an upset.

Based on the point spread of +12, we believe that Kennesaw State has a good chance of covering this spread. While Xavier may ultimately win the game, Kennesaw State's strong defense and disciplined play could help them keep the game within 12 points.

In conclusion, the matchup between the Xavier Musketeers and the Kennesaw State Owls in the Midwest Region's 1st Round of the Men's Basketball Championship is shaping up to be an exciting and competitive game. While Xavier is the favorite to win, Kennesaw State's stifling defense and disciplined play could prove to be challenging for the Musketeers to handle. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, we predict that Kennesaw State will cover the +12 points spread and keep the game competitive until the end.

PICK: Kennesaw State +12 (-110)

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