West Virginia vs. Xavier: Predictions and Insights| Betting News

Welcome into a loaded afternoon in Charleston, where two proud programs are set to collide in a game that feels bigger than a standard early season matchup. West Virginia and Xavier both arrive with bruises from tough losses, and both are looking to get back in the win column before their schedules tighten. Neutral floors can create chaos, and this one has the look of a battle that swings on toughness, tempo, and who responds better after heartbreak. With both teams trying to define their identity, this matchup offers a perfect chance to separate real growth from early season noise. Let us dive in.

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West Virginia vs. Xavier Odds

How will West Virginia respond after their first loss?

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on College Basketball games.

Spread

West Virginia: -6.5 (-105)

Xavier: +6.5 (-115)

Total

Over: 140.5 (-110)

Under: 140.5 (-110)

Moneyline

West Virignia: -270

Xavier: +222

West Virginia vs. Xavier Best Bet

We head down to Charleston, South Carolina, where both the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Xavier Musketeers are coming off tough losses. West Virginia is coming off its first game away from its home gym in a 70-67 loss to Clemson on Friday. Meanwhile, Xavier dropped a tough one to Georgia in the final seconds, 78-77.

Hot, Corn, Bull, I Love All Dogs

I am all over the dog in this fight. Xavier is coming off a loss to Georgia on a buzzer beater three. The Musketeers were double digit underdogs who nearly came out on top. With the blood still fresh in their mouths after that loss, this spot against the Mountaineers is a go. Plus, the number still feels too high. It reached 7.5 on some books, but has since come down and settled at 6.5.

Some could argue that West Virginia is coming off similar heartbreak, but I disagree. Clemson knocked down two free throws at the end of the game to win by three. After those free throws, the Mountaineers turned the ball over in the final second to close it out. It does not compare to Xavier’s loss.

I think this is another strong spot for the Musketeers to excel and come out on top as an underdog. They already have the strength of schedule advantage. Haslametrics has them 119th in strength of schedule through their first six games of the season. Despite being 0-3 against top 100 teams, West Virginia has faced only one team inside the top 100 away from home, and that was Clemson on Friday.

Play Your Game

The Musketeers have been solid on defense this year, excelling in forcing turnovers, grabbing rebounds, and defending the perimeter. West Virginia has struggled with generating second chance points this season, ranked 276th in offensive rebounding. If the Musketeers continue to rebound well and eliminate those second chance opportunities, they should be in a solid position this afternoon.

Plus, Xavier will want to push the pace this afternoon, while West Virginia will want it much slower. Both teams sit nearly 200 spots apart in tempo. If Xavier can speed this game up, I think this can be theirs early. West Virginia has yet to be forced into a fast game, as they have been home for most of the season, and Clemson also plays slow.

Coming off an emotional loss and having faced more top 100 teams early on gives Xavier everything it needs to possibly hand the Mountaineers their second loss of the season.