NCAA March Madness Picks: Minnesota vs Xavier

One of the most intriguing matchup’s of the entire NCAA Tournament comes to you Friday afternoon, when the Xavier Musketeers take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the betting odds.

No. 11 Minnesota Golden Gophers (21-13 SU, 17-16 ATS) vs. No. 6 Xavier Musketeers (24-8 SU, 20-11 ATS): NCAA Tournament First Round

Friday, March 19: 12:25 p.m. CBS

NCAA Betting Odds: Xavier -1

Here are some NCAA Betting Trends which may impact this game:

Minnesota: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
Minnesota: Total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 games

Xavier: 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Xavier: Total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 games

Xavier comes into this game, red hot, as they finished 8-1 down the stretch in the mighty Atlantic 10 conference. The Musketeers get the job done on the offensive end, as few teams are more efficient. On the season, they averaged 80 points, which ranked 10th nationally, while also shooting over 46 percent from the field.

The Musketeers have several players who can fill it up if you give them the opportunity. No player is more important than Indiana transfer Jordan Crawford. On the season, Crawford was dynamite, as he averaged just under 20 points a game and has topped 20 in six of Xavier’s last eight games. Jason Love is a load down low, as he averaged 11 points and almost nine rebounds a contest.

As for Minnesota, they come into this game on the strength of a late season run, one that included beating Michigan State and Purdue, and reaching the final of the Big 10 Tournament.

While Xavier gets things done offensively, Minnesota is the exact opposite, thanks to some phenomenal defense. They allow just 64 points a game, and opponents to shoot only 44 percent from the field. Those both rank in the top 70 nationally. On offense, they are deceptively good, averaging 73 points a game, with three players scoring in double figures.

But what this game comes down to is matchups, and they seem to favor the Musketeers. While a lot of people might not realize nationally just how good the Atlantic 10 was, make no mistake about it, you’ll know by the end of the opening round weekend of this tournament. And nobody was better than Xavier down the stretch.

Also, despite conference affiliation, it seems as though Xavier just simply has the better players. In the NCAA Tournament, with all else equal, talent usually wins out.

Xavier should be your play in the betting odds Friday afternoon. They’re well coached, tested by a tough schedule and just more talented. Make them your pick.

Aaron’s Pick: Xavier -1