Xavier and Pitt will face off in the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina. Xavier’s ability to shoot the deep ball has been a key part of their success this season, but they struggled in the first round against Kennesaw State. Despite this, the Musketeers are expected to cover the spread and advance to the Sweet 16.
In the matchup between Marquette and Michigan State, two key matchups will determine the outcome. Marquette’s defense will need to contain Michigan State’s guards, while Tyler Kolek’s skills in the pick-and-roll game could cause problems for Michigan State’s big men. Marquette is favored to win this game, despite the pedigree and coaching prowess of Michigan State’s Tom Izzo.
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NCAA Tournament Odds, Best Bets: 3 Picks for Sunday’s Early Games
As the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament draws to a close, the excitement is still alive and well. On Sunday, our college basketball staff has hand-picked three best bets for the early games, including Xavier vs. Pitt and Marquette vs. Michigan State.
Sunday’s Early NCAA Tournament Best Bets
Here are the top three best bets for Sunday’s early games, including specific picks for each matchup:
| Game | Time | Pick |
| —- | —- | —- |
| Xavier vs. Pitt | 12:10 p.m. ET | Xavier -4.5 |
| Xavier vs. Pitt | 12:10 p.m. ET | 1H Over 71.5 |
| Marquette vs. Michigan State | 5:15 p.m. ET | Marquette -2.5 |
Specific bet recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.
Xavier vs. Pitt
No. 3 seed Xavier (26-9) and No. 11 seed Pitt (24-11) will go head-to-head in Greensboro, North Carolina, for a chance to advance to the Sweet 16.
In their first-round matchup, Xavier narrowly escaped a close call against No. 14 seed Kennesaw State, winning 72-67. Meanwhile, Pitt has already played two games in the tournament, winning a play-in game against No. 11 seed Mississippi State (60-59) and beating No. 6 seed Iowa State in the Round of 64 (59-41).
One of the major storylines for this game is Xavier head coach Sean Miller’s history with Pitt. Miller played guard for the Panthers from 1987-92 and has been linked to the Pitt job in recent years. While it may not have any direct implications on the betting, Miller’s familiarity with the program could come into play.
Xavier’s defense has been performing well, limiting 10 of its last 12 opponents to 71 points or less, including top-tier offenses in Creighton and Marquette in the Big East Tournament. Their solid defense is a great complement to an elite offense that ranks 12th in the country in scoring, averaging 81.1 points per game.
If you’re betting on this game, Xavier is favored by 4.5 points, and the over/under for the first half is set at 71.5.
Xavier vs. Pitt: NCAA Tournament Odds and Best Bets
As the NCAA Tournament continues, the Xavier Musketeers are set to take on the Pitt Panthers in what could be an exciting matchup. Here are some of the key details to consider before placing a bet on the game.
Xavier’s Strong Shooting
Xavier has been one of the top shooting teams this season, with an effective field goal rating that ranks among the best in the country. They’ve been especially adept at shooting from beyond the arc, with a 3-point field goal percentage that’s fourth-best in the nation at 39.1%.
However, in their close first-round game against Kennesaw State, Xavier struggled to find the mark from beyond the arc, hitting just one of seven attempts. With coach Sean Miller likely to have refocused his team for the next round, it’s reasonable to expect a better shooting performance from the Musketeers this time around.
Pitt’s Defensive Struggles
On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers have struggled this season, with an adjusted defensive efficiency ranking of just 108th in the nation. They’ve had particular difficulty on the defensive glass, ranking 201st in defensive rebound percentage.
Adding to their woes, center Federiko Federiko has been playing through a knee injury, which could make things even tougher for the team.
The Matchup
Despite Pitt’s defensive struggles, they may have an advantage in this game when it comes to shooting from beyond the arc. The Musketeers have struggled to contain perimeter attacks this season, allowing opponents to shoot 3-pointers at a rate that ranks just 275th in the nation.
The Panthers, meanwhile, have made long-range attempts 43% of the time this season and have converted those shots at a solid 72nd-best rate in the country.
However, Xavier is a potent offensive team in their own right, and they’ll likely be looking to bounce back from their struggles in the first round. They’ll also be looking to take advantage of the Panthers’ defensive rebounding issues, with strong offensive rebounding players like Jack Nunge and Jerome Hunter.
Best Bets
Overall, Xavier is favored by 4.5 points in the matchup. For those looking to place a bet, here are two best bets to consider:
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Xavier -4.5: With their strong shooting and Pitt’s defensive struggles, Xavier may be able to cover the spread in this game.
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1H Over 71.5: Given the potential for a high-scoring matchup and the Musketeers’ strong 3-point shooting, taking the over on the first-half points may be a wise bet.
Marquette vs. Michigan State: NCAA Tournament Matchup Analysis
The matchup between Marquette and Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament will be decided by two key matchups. Here’s what to look for:
Marquette Defense vs. Michigan State Guards
When Michigan State has possession of the ball, their guards will look to penetrate off the dribble to create scoring opportunities. Marquette’s defense has improved in recent games, with their high energy and frequent, quick rotations being particularly effective. This bodes well for their chances of containing Michigan State’s guards.
Tyler Kolek and the Pick-and-Roll
On the other end of the floor, Marquette will look to utilize Tyler Kolek’s skills in the pick-and-roll game. Michigan State’s big men will need to be able to cover ground and hold their own against Kolek and his frequent pick-partner Oso Ighodaro.
Mady Sissoko may be better suited for this matchup, but there are concerns about his ability to stay out of foul trouble and keep pace with Ighodaro in transition.
The Prediction
Despite Michigan State’s pedigree and the coaching prowess of Tom Izzo, Marquette is the better team in this matchup and better suited to come out on top. Look for the Big East champions to take the win in this game.
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