TCU Horned Frogs vs Xavier Musketeers Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Xavier vs TCU NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Fort Worth.

Xavier vs TCU Prediction

Planning on watching today's Musketeers and Horned Frogs game? Catch the action at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, TX, as the Horned Frogs hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 144.5 points, and TCU is favored by -1.5 vs. Xavier.

Xavier vs. TCU Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Xavier Musketeers at TCU Horned Frogs
Where: Fort Worth at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena
Date: Thursday, December 5th
Betting Odds TCU -1.5, XAV +100 | TCU -121 O/U 144.5

Musketeers Preview: Are Xavier Ready for a Road Win?

Xavier Musketeers Recent Game/Games

The Musketeers improved to 7-1 this season with a 71-68 win over South Carolina State on Sunday. Playing at home, Xavier was a heavy -26.5 point favorite but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 139 fell short of the over/under line of 147.5.

Xavier led 32-26 at halftime but allowed 42 points in the 2nd half while scoring 39 of their own. Despite the win, the Musketeers will need to tighten up defensively moving forward.

Musketeers Offense Breakdown

Xavier's offense put up 71 points in their last game, shooting 45.5% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 50%. They hit just 5 of 18 from beyond the arc, shooting 27.8% from three, but were more effective inside, connecting on 57.7% of their two-point attempts.

The Musketeers made 26 of 36 free throws, shooting 72.2% from the line, and grabbed 5 offensive rebounds. They dished out 18 assists, with Zach Freemantle leading the way with 17 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 60% from the field. Omar Croskey and Michael Teal each hit 3 threes, finishing with 16 and 14 points, respectively.

Musketeers Team Defense

Defensively, Xavier gave up 68 points, with their opponents shooting 45% from the field, making 20 of 44 attempts. Inside the arc, the Musketeers allowed 15 two-point baskets on 26 attempts, a 57% success rate.

From three-point range, Xavier held their opponents to 5 made threes on 18 attempts, a 27% shooting performance. The Musketeers also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 36 times, where they converted 26 for 72%. Xavier allowed 5 offensive rebounds.

Horned Frogs Preview: Can the Horned Frogs Live Up to the Hype at Home?

TCU Horned Frogs Recent Game/Games

The Horned Frogs dropped to 4-3 on the season after a 76-72 loss to Colorado State on Friday. TCU, who were -5 favorites going into the game, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

TCU trailed 32-31 at halftime and narrowly outscored the Rams 35-34 in the second half. The game’s total points of 148 exceeded the O/U line of 139.5.

Horned Frogs Offense Breakdown

TCU's offense struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 33.9% overall and 32.4% on two-point attempts. They connected on 36% of their three-point shots, hitting 9 of 25 from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 41.9%, and they made 21 of 30 free throws, good for 70%.

Nique Clifford led the Horned Frogs with 25 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 60% from the field. Frankie Collins added 18 points and 8 rebounds, despite shooting just 29.4%. Bowen Born was efficient from three, hitting 3 of 5 attempts and finishing with 13 points.

Horned Frogs Team Defense

TCU's defense gave up 76 points, allowing the opposing team to shoot 43% from the field. They were particularly vulnerable inside, where they allowed 52% shooting on two-point attempts (21/40).

From beyond the arc, TCU held the other team to 29% shooting, as they made 8 of 27 three-point attempts. The Horned Frogs also sent them to the line 12 times, where they hit 10 free throws (83%). TCU gave up 10 offensive rebounds in the game.

Musketeers vs Horned Frogs Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last five games away from home, the Musketeers have a straight up record of 2-3 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 70 points per game in these contests.
Across the Horned Frogs last five home games, the team averaged 69 points per game while allowing 76. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-4, while going 1-4 straight-up.
Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, Xavier has an ATS mark of 0-5 while going 0-5 straight up.
Going back to their previous three games as the favorite, TCU has an ATS mark of 0-3 while going 1-2 straight up.