Prizing:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Thursday, March 23rd, the (32-4) Arizona Wildcats will take on the (23-13) Xavier Musketeers.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” projects a final score of Arizona 76.8 – Xavier 72.0 with an over/under of 148.8.  The Vegas Line has a final score of Arizona 76.3 – Xavier 68.8 with an over/under of 145.0.

Statistics (2016-17 season):

Point differential: Arizona +11.0 > Xavier +4.1

Points per game: Arizona 76.7 PPG > Xavier 75.1 PPG

Points allowed per game: Arizona 65.7 PPG > Xavier 71.0 PPG

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Arizona 47.8% > Xavier 45.8%

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Arizona 41.8% > Xavier 44.9%

Three Point Percentage: Arizona 39.6% > Xavier 34.9%

Turnovers per game: Arizona 11.3 > Xavier 12.8

Rebounds per game: Xavier 37.4 > Arizona 36.7

Assists per game: Xavier 15.0 > Arizona 13.5

Summary:

Arizona is (5-3) against ranked opponents this season while Xavier is (4-7).  Xavier’s peripheral numbers are not all that impressive as they have one of the lowest point differentials (+4.1) of the teams remaining.  Xavier only averaged 75.1 points per game during the season but they have scored 83.5 in their two tournament wins.  Arizona, by comparison, averaged 76.7 points during the season and 84.5 for the tournament.  Arizona is by far the better defensive team allowing fewer points and a lower field goal percentage.  Arizona’s ability to shoot the three will spread out the Xavier defense and create driving lanes for the Wildcat guards.  Xavier has three players averaging at least 14 points per game but not much depth behind those players.  Arizona is much more balanced with six players averaging at least eight points per game.  Arizona doesn’t turn the ball over much so I like them to win this game with relative ease.

**LISTEN HERE** to the latest edition of “The Berger Shop” podcast, sponsored by The Crowd’s Line.  This week’s episode features an in-depth discussion talking Showtime Sports Doc on St. Anthony’s Bob Hurley with Brian Dailey.

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