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How to Watch
Time: Approx. 6 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
Online Stream: Fox Sports Go
Odds
Spread: Xavier -6.5
Total: 133
Moneyline: Butler +210 | Xavier -255
Game 2 of the 2021 Big East Tournament features the Butler Bulldogs and Xavier Musketeers. The Dawgs enter play 9-14 with an 8-12 conference record, while the Muskies sit 13-7 and 6-7 against league opponents. Xavier is the 7-seed in the Big East Tourney, while Butler sits as the 10-seed. The winner advances through to face the 2-seeded Creighton Bluejays on Thursday.
Neither team is riding much momentum going into play. Xavier lost their last two and has lost three of four. Butler, elsewhere, lost on Saturday and has lost four of their last six. The Musketeers only have two wins in general since the calendar turned to February. Butler scored four wins last month but still wasn’t enough for them to get above .500 after their skittish start.
I wouldn’t expect either team to do well from 3. Butler ranks 250th in 3-point percentage while Xavier ranks 153rd. In conference play, Butler ranked seventh in the Big East while Xavier was dead last. Points may come at a premium at this one, but one area to look at will be on the interior for the Musketeers. Xavier ranked second in 2PT FG% in league play, while Butler finished last in 2PT FG% allowed. That type of weakness may show itself to be consequential.
This one could prove to be a rock fight. Neither team is otherworldly offensively, and the shooting percentages suggest there may not be many buckets in this game. Ultimately, I do see Xavier winning this game. I don’t think Butler has enough in them to stay up with the Musketeer offense. But hey, stranger things and all that right?