Texas Longhorns vs Xavier Musketeers Prediction – 3/19/2025

The NCAA Tournament's First Four brings an exciting clash between the Texas Longhorns and the Xavier Musketeers on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 9:10 pm. Both teams are vying for a spot in the Midwest Region's first round, with the winner set to face Illinois on Friday.

Texas Longhorns vs. Xavier Musketeers Game Preview

The Xavier Musketeers (21-11) enter this contest after a narrow 89-87 loss to Marquette in the Big East quarterfinals, which snapped their seven-game winning streak. Forward Zach Freemantle leads the team, averaging 17.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. The Musketeers boast a potent offense, ranking second in the Big East with an average of 78 points per game, and they are particularly effective from beyond the arc, shooting 38.8% from three-point range.

On the other side, the Texas Longhorns (19-15) secured their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance by defeating Vanderbilt and Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament before falling to Tennessee in the quarterfinals. Guard Tre Johnson spearheads the Longhorns' offense, leading the SEC with 19.8 points per game. Forward Arthur Kaluma contributes significantly on the boards, averaging 7.6 rebounds per game. Texas averages 78.4 points per game and has demonstrated resilience against a challenging schedule, including multiple matchups against top-ranked opponents.

Betting Insights

• Point Spread: Texas is favored by 2.5 points.
• Over/Under: The total points line is set at 151.5.

Key betting trends to consider:

• Texas has won 11 of its last 12 games against non-conference opponents.
• Xavier has lost three of its last four games played at neutral venues.
• Seven of Xavier's last eight night games against SEC teams have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.

Texas Longhorns vs. Xavier Musketeers Prediction

Analyzing both teams' recent performances and statistical profiles, this matchup promises to be closely contested. Xavier's efficient offense, particularly their three-point shooting, poses a significant challenge. However, Texas's experience against high-caliber opponents and their balanced scoring attack provide them with a slight edge.

Considering the betting lines, Texas covering the 2.5-point spread appears favorable, given their recent success against non-conference teams and Xavier's struggles at neutral sites. Additionally, the over/under line of 151.5 points suggests expectations of a high-scoring game. Both teams have demonstrated the ability to score prolifically, making the over a compelling option.

In conclusion, while both teams have the potential to advance, the Texas Longhorns' battle-tested roster and recent form suggest they are well-positioned to secure a victory and cover the spread in this First Four encounter.