Creighton Bluejays at Xavier Musketeers, Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Use Code WWWC Creighton (5–5) travels to Cincinnati to face a surging Xavier (8–3) squad at the Cintas Center, in what will be the Big East opener for both teams. Last season, these teams split their head-to-head meetings, with the home team winning and covering each time.
Creighton enters this game rated No. 72 overall according to KenPom, and Cincinnati is No. 84.
For David Delano’s full Creighton vs. Xavier prediction, keep reading, and check out all the free college basketball picks with Winners and Whiners.
Creighton is looking to get above .500
Creighton comes into this game on a two-game losing skid after falling at Nebraska 71-50 and Kansas State 83-76. Their overall schedule has been challenging, as they have also lost to Gonzaga, Baylor, and Iowa this season, alongside a win over Oregon on their resume.
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On offense, the Bluejays are averaging 74.6 points per game and are 69th in the country in adjusted efficiency. They are 143rd in the country in effective field goal percentage, but only 213th from three-point range. Josh Dix leads the team at 12.3 points per game and has been elite at the free-throw line, knocking down 93.3% of his attempts. No other Creighton players average double figures, but Blake Harper is next, averaging 9.2 points and a team-high 5.3 rebounds. Nik Graves averages 8.9 ppg and leads the team with 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Defensively, the Bluejays are 87th in efficiency, but only 340th when it comes to the percentage of turnovers they have been able to force.
Xavier rolling with balance
Xavier is on a five-game winning streak after knocking off arch-rival Cincinnati and Missouri State in their last two games. On the season, the Musketeers are averaging 78.4 points per game, rank 98th in adjusted offensive efficiency, and do an excellent job protecting the ball as they have the lowest turnover percentage in the nation.
Tre Carroll has been the go-to scorer for Xaver, pouring in 16.9 points per game while shooting efficiently from the field and three-point range. Filip Borovicanin anchors the frontcourt, leading the team with 7.4 rebounds per game and adding 8.9 ppg. while also contributing as a passer and defender. Defensively, Xavier is solid, holding opponents to 71.5 points per game and ranking 74th in defensive efficiency.
Creighton vs. Xavier Predictions
Creighton vs Xavier ATS Pick:
- Xavier -2.5 (4 units)
Creighton has faced some difficult competition this season, but lately the team seems to be wearing down instead of improving. This will be another tough spot for the Jays, as the Musketeers have won five straight and return to the Cintas Center, where they hold a strong home-court edge. Xavier doesn’t beat itself, and it shows as they are the No. 1 team in the nation in offensive turnover percentage (12.4), and will be facing a Creighton defense that is 339th in defensive turnover percentage (13.9). On the other end, the Musketeers have also done a slightly better job at protecting the ball than the Bluejays have.
I like Xavier at the short number.
Creighton vs Xavier Prediction Pick:
Total Pick:
- Under 150.5 (4 units)
The Greg McDermott-led Creighton Bluejays are playing at a very slow pace this season, ranking 318th in adjusted tempo. Offensively, Creighton also hasn’t been consistent from three-point range, and defensively, they don’t force many turnovers, which will limit their easy scoring chances against a Xavier team that protects the ball better than anyone. While the Musketeers do prefer to play faster, they’ve averaged just 72.8 points per game against teams ranked inside the KenPom top 105. This number seems too high for a conference matchup, which should bring out the best effort from both sides. I like the under.
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