Xavier is up to No. 7 in the country after starting the season 7-0. The Musketeers are coming off a lopsided 85-55 win over North Dakota State on Tuesday. They easily covered the 17-point spread, and are now an impressive 5-1 against the spread.
Prior to that win, they won back-to-back games against a good Northern Iowa team. Xavier won the first meeting 67-59 in the final of the Tire Pros Invitational. They then blew the Panthers out 64-42 at home in Cincinnati.
Xavier should have the advantage over Baylor in the battle of the backcourts. With Trevon Bluiett (17.7 points, 6.1 rebounds), J.P. Macura (16.7 points, 4-1 rebounds), and Edmond Sumner (14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists), the Musketeers have one of the best perimeter trios in the college game.
After struggling with his shot in the second game against UNI, Bluiett bounced back with a team-high 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, along with 5 rebounds and 7 assists against North Dakota State.
Xavier isn’t quite as talented along the frontcourt, but the return of 6-foot-8 sophomore Kaiser Gates will give them an extra big body to help Sean O’Mara and Rashid Gaston contain Baylor’s talented bigs.
The Baylor Bears’ early-season resume has got to be the most impressive in the country. The No. 9-ranked Bears have started out a perfect 7-0 (4-0 against the spread), and have brought down not one, not two, but three ranked opponents within the first month.
First, they shocked No. 4 Oregon, which was without Dillon Brooks, 66-49. They then swept past a good VCU team, No. 24 Michigan State, and No. 10 Louisville to claim the Battle 4 Atlantis. Their most recent victory came on Wednesday as they mauled Sam Houston State, 79-45.
The Bears have been known for their excellent frontcourt players over the past few years, and this season is no different. Junior forward Johnathan Motley, arguably the best big man in the Big 12, is leading the way with 16.2 points and 8.2 rebounds (both team-highs).
However, the emergence of 7-foot junior Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. has been a pleasant surprise. Acuil, a transfer who redshirted last season due to a heart ailment, is averaging 9.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.14 blocks (tied for 2nd in the country).
With Motley and Acuil both playing at a high level, Baylor should be able to control the paint against Xavier. The two had 14 rebounds apiece against SHSU.
Their perimeter players also have the ability to hold their own against Xavier. Miami (FL) transfer Manu Lecomte (12.4 points) and junior Al Freeman (11.9 points) are both having solid seasons, while sophomore King McClure has scored 29 points in his last two games off the Baylor bench.
Writer’s Prediction
Baylor brings down another top opponent as its frontcourt overwhelms Xavier. The Bears win, 65-61.
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