March Madness Round 64 Lines: Kennesaw State vs. Xavier Betting Preview

March Madness Round 64 Lines: Kennesaw State vs. Xavier Betting Preview

Sean Miller returned to Xavier this season and already it’s paying dividends. 3-seed Xavier takes on 14-Kennesaw State a -13 favorite. Xavier is one of the better teams from the loaded Big East. Will the Musketeers put a beating onto the Owls? Or will Kennesaw State play well enough to keep this close?

We will now preview the game plus get our betting predictions and analysis for this Round of 64 contest. Keep reading for college basketball betting lines, analysis, and a free pick for Kent State vs. Indiana.

 

2023 March Madness Round of 64 Game
No. 14 Kennesaw State Owls vs. No. 3 Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

Kennesaw State of ASUN meets Xavier of Big East in NCAA Tourney First Round
ATS Odds: Xavier -11.5
Moneyline Odds: Kennesaw State +471 / Xavier -714
Over/Under Odds: 151.5 -110
When: Friday, March 17 at 12:40 pm ET
Where: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
TV / Streaming: truTV/Paramount+

 

Why Bet on State against Xavier?

The Owls play in the much better than many believe ASUN Conference. Liberty, the team Kennesaw State got past by a point, 67-66, to win the conference tournament, upset Villanova 62-57 in the NIT on Tuesday.

Kennesaw State heads into this having won 13 of their last 15 and 5 in a row. The Owls shoot close to 37% from three. If the Owls hit their shots behind the arc, for sure they will keep this closer than the spread.

Kennesaw State Owls Offensive Averages

  • Points/G: 75.6
  • FG %: 46.0
  • 3PT%: 36.9
  • FT %: 66.6
  • Rebounds/G: 31.5

Kennesaw State Owls Defensive Averages

  • Points/G: 69.0
  • FG %: 43.1
  • 3PT%: 34.4
  • FT %: 68.8
  • Rebounds/G: 30.3
 

Why Bet on Xavier against Kennesaw State?

Marquette blew out Xavier 65-51 in the Big East Tournament Championship, but the loss shouldn’t prevent anybody from backing the Musketeers to cover in this.

Xavier went 17-13-1 against the spread this season. The Xavier Musketeers lost by a single point to Marquette on Feb. 15. Also, Xavier beat Creighton on their way to the Big East Tournament Final. Xavier should outclass the Owls.

Xavier Musketeers Offensive Averages

  • Points/G: 82.1
  • FG %: 50.0
  • 3PT%: 39.8
  • FT %: 71.7
  • Rebounds/G: 34.8

Xavier Musketeers Defensive Averages

  • Points/G: 74.5
  • FG %: 44.3
  • 3PT%: 36.1
  • FT %: 71.4
  • Rebounds/G: 29.1
 

Kennesaw State Owls vs. Xavier Musketeers Betting Trends

  • Owls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 versus a team with a winning percentage above .600
  • Kennesaw State is 4-1 ATS in their last 5
  • Under is 4-1 in the Owls’ last 5
  • Musketeers are 24-7-2 ATS in their last 33 NCAA Tournament games
  • Xavier is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss
  • Over is 6-2 in the Musketeers’ last 8 games following an ATS loss
 

Kennesaw Stat vs. Xavier Betting Odds and Prediction

The Musketeers are the better team. The problem is that a Kennesaw State’s strength is an Xavier weakness.

The Owls shoot close to 37% from behind the arc. Xavier allows 36% success from behind the three-point line.

The Musketeers often make up for suspect defense by shooting a high percentage and scoring at will on the other end of the court. Xavier shoots 50% from the field and averages 40% from the three-point line.

But if the shots aren’t falling, and they weren’t against Marquette, a team like Kennesaw State could get the ATS victory. That’s the play in this. The Owls will do enough to keep the loss to within the 13-point spread.

March Madness Round of 64 Pick: Kennesaw State +13 | Bet Kent State vs. Indiana Today
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Marquette vs. Xavier Highlights: 2023 Big East Championship | NCAA Basketball Game
 

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