Missouri Tigers vs Xavier Musketeers Point Spread Picks

This is a true revenge game for Xavier after it lost 71-56 as a three-point favorite to Missouri in December. The Musketeers shot only 38.7 percent and were outrebounded 37-28. Xavier returns four starters from that squad and the Musketeers are projected to be a Top 20 team this season. They already have two wins under their belt, including Friday's 81-63 victory over Siena as Naji Marshall and Tyrique Jones each had 20 points. Missouri is looking for improvement following a 15-17 season and returns three starters. Xavier is 10-3 ATS its last 13 games overall and has covered five of its last seven home games dating to last season. However, the best way to go in this revenge scenario is to take Xavier on the moneyline.

Xavier has been a good road team with a 16-7 ATS record dating to last season and the Musketeers have won five of their last six games overall after a slow start to the season. They come off a 95-77 win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday when they shot an incredible 71.4 percent from the field and six scorers were in double figures. Quentin Goodin lead Xavier with 16 points and Naji Marshall added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Xavier held the Colonels to a .417 field goal percentage and the Musketeers are shooting 49.8 percent themselves on the season. Missouri is 3-7-1 ATS its last 11 games overall and 4-11-1 ATS its last 16 non-conference games. Xavier is 14-6-1 ATS its last 21 games versus Southeastern Conference schools. Play Xavier.

Missouri heads out on the road and the Tigers are 9-24-2 ATS in their last 35 road games. Mizzou is 2-0 but 16-33-3 ATS following a victory and 17-37-3 ATS away against a team with a winning home record. They take on a very strong Xavier squad that has made nine of the last 10 NCAA Tournaments, one of only 11 schools that have at least nine in that stretch, including five NCAA Sweet 16s in the last eight years. The Musketeers are 4-1 ATS in non-conference games, plus 4-1 ATS against the SEC. Xavier used a 10-0 second-half run to pull away on its way to an 81-72 win over Miami (Ohio) on Friday. This is a young, talented team as redshirt freshman Edmond Sumner led Xavier with 19 points in his first collegiate start while sophomore Trevon Bluiett is the team's leading returning scorer. Xavier junior Jalen Reynolds is a preseason Big East First Team pick and had 16 points, 15 rebounds against Miami. Xavier is 15-5 against current SEC schools since 2008, including a 2015 NCAA win over Ole Miss. The Musketeers are also a sizzling 33-16 ATS at home. Lay the points on Xavier.