The Pitt Panthers (24-11) fight against Xavier Musketeer (26-9) Sunday in a round of 32 game from the Greensboro Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 12:10 pm ET (CBS). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around Pitt vs. Xavier odds as we do our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

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The 11th-seeded Panthers received an at-large bid, but had to play in the first four. They beat 11-seed Mississippi State 60-59 as a 2.5-point underdog. They then took down No. 6 Iowa State 59-41 as a 4-point underdog. The Panthers are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) in the postseason.

The No. The 3 Musketeers narrowly beat 14-seed Kennesaw State 72-67, but couldn’t cover as a 12-point favorite. Xavier is just 1-3 ATS in postseason games with Under hits in their last 3. The Musketeers are led by G Souley Boumwho averages 16.5 points per game.

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Pitt vs Xavier odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access the USA TODAY Sports Score and Sports Betting Odds hub for a complete list. Lines last updated Saturday at 11:06 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Pitt +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Xavier -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Pitt +5.5 (-115) | Xavier -5.5 (-105)
• Over/Under (O/U): 152.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Pitt vs. Xavier picks and predictions

Prediction

Xavier 77, Pitt 71

Moneyline

AVOID.

The Musketeers got a scare in the 1st round while Pitt abused the Cyclones. Nonetheless, backing the +180 underdog here doesn’t make much sense given the season-long non-conference games.

Against the spread

LEAN XAVIER -5.5 (-115).

Xavier shot just 17% from deep against Kennesaw State, and for one of the 18 teams in the nation to average more than 80 points per game, that’s unlikely to happen again. The Musketeers should bounce back offensively, especially against the Panthers, who rank 174th in opponents’ points per game.

Pitt is 3-1 ATS in postseason play and has yet to cover a loss. Pitt also had brutal early season losses to West Virginia by 25, VCU by 4, Michigan by 31, and Vanderbilt by 1.

While Pitt has been hot, expect some regression here and there XAVIER -5.5 (-115).

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Over under

BET UNDER 152.5 (-115).

Pitt has lost both tournament games and has yet to score more than 60 in a postseason game. Xavier’s offense is the reason this total is so high, but it has gone 3 straight games and has scored under 75 in its last 2. Xavier is 4-7 O/U in its last 11 games.

Xavier also gave up just 6 points over the final 9 minutes of the game against Kennesaw State. It can turn things up defensively, and that energy after a close game should be there from the start. Back to UNDER 152.5 (-115).

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