Buffalo Bulls vs Xavier Musketeers Point Spread Picks

A tough situational spot for the Buffalo offense, its second straight road game. They start the season playing six of seven away. The defense was sharp in the opener, winning 76-66 at Niagra, allowing 37.5% shooting, but the offense wasn't in mid-season form, missing seven free throws (59%). The offense won't find things any easier against Xavier, a Top 10 squad. One of the concerns early on for the Musketeers with 6-8 forward Kaiser Gates (knee) out a few more weeks and guard Myles Davis suspended, likely for the season, is depth. Davis was the third leading scorer last year, but this team plays great defense for Coach Chris Mack using an unconventional 1-3-1 Zone. In his time as head coach, he’s made the Sweet Sixteen three times, and he’s failed to make the NCAA Tournament only once. Xavier plays its best defense at home owning one of the best home-court winning percentages in the nation, going 217-31 at the Cintas Center. Xavier has gone five straight games UNDER the total in non-conference play, and this total is too high. Play UNDER the total in this one.