Xavier vs Pittsburgh Prediction March Madness Picks

Photo Credit: © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Preview

The NCAA Tournament is in full swing, and the second round features a matchup between the No. 13 seed Xavier Musketeers and the Pittsburgh Panthers. Both teams had solid regular seasons, but now they will be playing for a chance to advance to the Sweet 16. Kingpin.pro, the leading sports betting app for iOS and Android, has the latest March Madness predictions and odds for this exciting game.

Xavier Musketeers

The Musketeers finished the regular season with a 26-9 record and a 15-5 record in Big East play. Xavier is led by forward Jack Nunge, who is averaging 14 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Souley Boum is the Musketeers' top playmaker, averaging 4.3 assists per game. Xavier is a balanced team that has five players averaging double figures in scoring.

Xavier's offense is potent, averaging 76.1 points per game, good for 51st in the country. The Musketeers shoot 47.6% from the field, and they lead the Big East in assists per game. Defensively, Xavier is solid, allowing 69.2 points per game.

Xavier Musketeers defeated the Kennesaw State Owls 72-67 in their first-round NCAA tournament game. The Musketeers were down by 13 points but came back to win thanks to a late defensive surge, including Jack Nunge's block on Terrell Burden's attempt at a go-ahead layup in the final seconds. 

Pittsburgh Panthers

The Panthers finished the regular season with a 24-11 record and a 14-6 record in ACC play. Pittsburgh is led by forward Blake Hinson, who is averaging 15.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Jamarius Burton is the Panthers' top playmaker, averaging 4.0 assists per game. Pittsburgh is a balanced team that has four players averaging double figures in scoring.

Pittsburgh's offense is solid, averaging 75.8 points per game. The Panthers shoot 45.0% from the field, and they are a good rebounding team, averaging 30.1 rebounds per game. Defensively, Pittsburgh is decent, allowing 73.0 points per game.

Pittsburgh Panthers held the Iowa State Cyclones to just 23% shooting to win their first-round NCAA tournament game 59-41. Nelly Cummings led the way for the Panthers with 13 points, while Jamarius Burton and Greg Elliott contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively. Gabe Kalscheur and Jaren Holmes each had 12 points for Iowa State. Pitt moved on to the second-round Midwest Region game against third-seeded Xavier.

Betting Trends

Pittsburgh are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.

The total has gone OVER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 12 games.

Pittsburgh are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games against an opponent in the Big East conference.

Xavier are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.

Xavier are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Xavier's last 11 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Coast conference.

Xavier are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games played in March.

Prediction

Pittsburgh is a solid team that has played well in close games, going 7-3 in games decided by three points or fewer. Xavier is a better team on paper, but Pittsburgh has the potential to pull off the upset. The Panthers have a balanced offense, and if they shoot well from the field, they could give Xavier fits. Defensively, Pittsburgh will need to focus on stopping Jack Nunge and Souley Boum.

In the end, I expect that Xavier will win a close game, but Pittsburgh will keep it within the +5.5 points spread.

PICK: Pittsburgh +5.5 (-110)

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