PREMIUM
Rogers' EARLY College Hoops BEATDOWN (Noon ET) >> 67% YTD NCAAB!
(NCAAB) Northern Iowa vs. Xavier,
Point Spread: -8.50 | -115.00 Xavier (Home)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -8.50 | -115.00 Xavier (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Tire Pros Invitational was played in Lake Buena Vista, Fl last weekend. In that tourney's championship game (last Sunday), Xavier was able to move to 5-0 with a 67-59 win over previously unbeaten Northern Iowa, which fell to 3-1 with the loss. Now, just six days later, Xavier (ranked 9th in the latest AP poll) will again square off with Northern Iowa, this time on the Musketeers' home court, the Cintas Center in Cincinnati.
Northern Iowa: The Panthers have been one of the country's top mid-major programs annually, owning a 4-2 record since the start of the 2014-15 season against top-25 teams, including going 3-0 last season against ranked opponents. Northern Iowa is off a 23-win season, which ended with a second round loss in the NCAAs. The team's best player, guard Washpun (14.2-4.1-5.3) has moved on, as did guard Bohanon (11.5 & 4.1) and the 6-6 Jesperson (11.3 & 5.3). However, veteran guard Morgan (17.0 & 7.8) returns, along with the 6-7 Carlson (12.5) and the 6-9 Koch (11.0). Guard Jordan Ashton (9.0 & 4.8) has made an immediate contribution, after transferring from Iowa State.
Xavier entered the current season as one of just nine schools which had participated in 10 of the last 11 NCAA tourneys. Chris Mack's team is almost a lock to make it 11 of 12 come this March, as this year's unit has many key returnees. Guard Abell is gone but he was not a major contributor plus the 6-10 Reynolds (9.6 & 6.5) was a starter and he's also gone. The 6-10 Farr (10.7 & 7.8) was a big contributor off the bench and he'll be missed plus we ae not suree if returning PG Myles Davis (10.8-3.6-4.1) will be re-instated after being suspended by coach Mack prior to the start of the season (no word yet on his status). However, 6-6 swingman Bluiett (18.6 & 6.0) is a wonderful player, plus guards Macura (17.6-4.0-3.6) and Sumner (16.6-5.2-3.6) are off to excellent starts. The 6-8 Gates made a huge splash in the summer and after some knee problems, is lasted as probable to make his season debut on Saturday.
The pick: The Musketeers beat Missouri, Clemson and Northern Iowa on their way to the title in Orlando. They'll be facing a nonconference opponent in back-to-back games for the first time since it faced off twice in a row against Yale in 1960. "It doesn't concern me," Xavier head coach Chris Mack said of the back-to-back games against the same opponent. "We'll both have a lot of familiarity with each other. (Saturday) is a new ballgame and a chance to grow and continue to get better." The Musketeers scored 23 of the first 31 points in the second half after an intermission tie and went on to beat Northern Iowa 67-59 in the championship game last Sunday. Trevon Bluiett (21)and Edmond Sumner (17)were the leading scorers in last Sunday's game. Here at home, a second consecutive win over Northern Iowa will come more easily. Xavier is an 8* play.
Northern Iowa: The Panthers have been one of the country's top mid-major programs annually, owning a 4-2 record since the start of the 2014-15 season against top-25 teams, including going 3-0 last season against ranked opponents. Northern Iowa is off a 23-win season, which ended with a second round loss in the NCAAs. The team's best player, guard Washpun (14.2-4.1-5.3) has moved on, as did guard Bohanon (11.5 & 4.1) and the 6-6 Jesperson (11.3 & 5.3). However, veteran guard Morgan (17.0 & 7.8) returns, along with the 6-7 Carlson (12.5) and the 6-9 Koch (11.0). Guard Jordan Ashton (9.0 & 4.8) has made an immediate contribution, after transferring from Iowa State.
Xavier entered the current season as one of just nine schools which had participated in 10 of the last 11 NCAA tourneys. Chris Mack's team is almost a lock to make it 11 of 12 come this March, as this year's unit has many key returnees. Guard Abell is gone but he was not a major contributor plus the 6-10 Reynolds (9.6 & 6.5) was a starter and he's also gone. The 6-10 Farr (10.7 & 7.8) was a big contributor off the bench and he'll be missed plus we ae not suree if returning PG Myles Davis (10.8-3.6-4.1) will be re-instated after being suspended by coach Mack prior to the start of the season (no word yet on his status). However, 6-6 swingman Bluiett (18.6 & 6.0) is a wonderful player, plus guards Macura (17.6-4.0-3.6) and Sumner (16.6-5.2-3.6) are off to excellent starts. The 6-8 Gates made a huge splash in the summer and after some knee problems, is lasted as probable to make his season debut on Saturday.
The pick: The Musketeers beat Missouri, Clemson and Northern Iowa on their way to the title in Orlando. They'll be facing a nonconference opponent in back-to-back games for the first time since it faced off twice in a row against Yale in 1960. "It doesn't concern me," Xavier head coach Chris Mack said of the back-to-back games against the same opponent. "We'll both have a lot of familiarity with each other. (Saturday) is a new ballgame and a chance to grow and continue to get better." The Musketeers scored 23 of the first 31 points in the second half after an intermission tie and went on to beat Northern Iowa 67-59 in the championship game last Sunday. Trevon Bluiett (21)and Edmond Sumner (17)were the leading scorers in last Sunday's game. Here at home, a second consecutive win over Northern Iowa will come more easily. Xavier is an 8* play.
