One of the more memorable games from the 2023 Big East season came when DePaul upset Xavier. Now, thanks to a DePaul upset in the first round of the Big East Tournament, they will run it back at Madison Square Garden. In this DePaul vs Xavier rematch, the Musketeers are heavy favorites once again, but they know that they cannot take this contest for granted.
DePaul vs Xavier Betting Pick
| ℹ️ The Pick: | DePaul +12.5 |
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This game will be played at Madison Square Garden at 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Why Bet on DePaul:
✅ The Blue Demons have been very competitive in two games against Xavier this year, splitting the season series. They will continue to be a thorn in the side of the Musketeers in this matchup.
✅ DePaul went 3-17 in conference play during the regular season, but they have been more than competitive in many of their losses. For example, they recently lost by one to Marquette in Milwaukee, and they will maintain that competitive edge here.
✅ While Xavier is an elite offensive team, their defense is susceptible to lapses, ranking 81st in defensive efficiency per Kenpom. That will help the Blue Demons score a cover.
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DePaul Blue Demons: Aiming for Another Upset
The DePaul Blue Demons are not going to make the NCAA Tournament unless they win three more games to win the Big East Tournament. But that does not mean that they aren’t going to give it their all here against the Xavier Musketeers. DePaul split the regular season series with Xavier, and will look to steal the rubber match to keep their season alive for yet another day.
Three-point defense is going to be massive for the Blue Demons if they want to steal this DePaul vs Xavier contest. They have held the Musketeers to a combined 12/45 (26.7%) from three-point range in two meetings this season. Another game with solid perimeter D will be a must if DePaul is to compete for another upset.
Xavier Musketeers: Still Plenty To Play For
The Xavier Musketeers are solidly in the NCAA Tournament field this year. But they still have something to play for here against the DePaul Blue Demons. How they play in this game, and the rest of the Big East Tournament, will decide where Xavier ends up in the bracket when the tournament field is announced on Sunday.
While three-point defense is important for DePaul in this game, it is just as important for the Musketeers. Xavier has allowed DePaul to shoot 45% from three in both games they have played against each other this season. They simply must be better at getting out to shooters to maximize their chances of winning this one and moving a step closer to a potential Big East title run.
