CBB: Xavier at Dayton (12:00 PM ET, ESPN2)

For as much as most experts thought potentially otherwise, it is once again Xavier atop the Atlantic 10 Conference as we cruise into the first full weekend of February college hoops. In fact, back in December, it looked as if the Musketeers’ Saturday oppo

2010-02-09

For as much as most experts thought potentially otherwise, it is once again Xavier atop the Atlantic 10 Conference as we cruise into the first full weekend of February college hoops. In fact, back in December, it looked as if the Musketeers’ Saturday opponent, Dayton, had what it took to unseat them. The Flyers can gain some ground on the A-10 lead but it won’t be easy. Get all the info you need to make an educated wager on this game on the Sportsbook.com GAME MATCHUP page.

The Musketeers (16-6, 14-7 ATS) were not supposed to be as formidable in 2010 after three A-10 titles, 25 or more wins and two visits to Sweet Sixteen. New coach Chris Mack had to gain the trust of old and new players, however he couldn’t have counted on what guard Jamal Crawford would mean to Xavier, who sits atop the conference leaderboard at 8-1. The transfer not only became a YouTube sensation dunking on LeBron James this past summer, but he is the team’s leading scorer, on a club that brought back just enough veteran talent to keep them in A-10 contention. Xavier is 12-2 ATS playing teams with 60-80 percent win percentage since last year.

The team believed capable of unseating Xavier in 2010 was Dayton; however the Flyers have not been clutch at “clutch time”, losing three conference contests by six total points. Dayton (15-6, 10-8 ATS) has been outscored by over 40 points this season in the final five minutes of regulation play, shooting around 35 percent (43% normally). Dayton’s strength also turns out to be one its weaknesses. The Flyers have six players averaging six or more points, but lack a go to scorer at crunch time. However, they are 6-2 ATS against teams with winning records.

Dayton is playing into revenge and is 5-1 SU and ATS as a home favorite against Xavier, although it is not certain that will be the line scenario at Sportsbook.com when the ball tips off at noon ET.

Latest College Basketball News

Click here to read latest College Basketball news