Xavier vs. DePaul prediction and odds for Wednesday, January 18 (Don’t underestimate Blue Demons)

The No. 8 Xavier Musketeers are undefeated in Big East play, and have won 11-straight overall games this season.

They’re one of the hottest teams in the country. Can they keep it up against the 8-10 DePaul Blue Demons?

Let’s dive into the betting odds for the game and then I’ll give you my best bet.

Xavier vs. DePaul odds, spread, and total

Xavier vs. DePaul prediction and pick

Xavier is one of the hottest shooting teams in the country, coming in at seventh in effective field goal percentage. That means the Musketeers are an obvious bet tonight against DePaul, right?

Wrong. I’ll take the points with DePaul.

Styles make fights, and the stylistic advantage may lean towards the Blue Demons. 36% of DePaul’s points come from 3-point shots, which is the 59th highest rate in college basketball. That will work perfectly for DePaul, because Xavier’s biggest weakness is its perimeter defense, allowing teams to shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is 286th in the country.

Meanwhile, Xavier keeps the majority of its shots down low, ranking 36th in two-point shot rate. DePaul has been solid with its interior defense, keeping teams to shooting less than 50% from two point range.

Will the Blue Demons win? I don’t think so, but I’ll gladly back them getting nine points.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.