USC vs. Xavier

Xavier (5-2) is a good team hungry for a win in this tourney after dropping games the last two nights. They lost to No. 23 Iowa in OT, then to Tennessee yesterday. This team plays outstanding defense, holding Iowa to 35% shooting and allowing under 60 points in three of its seven games. The UNDER is 10-2 in the Musketeers' last 12 games following a loss, and 5-1 UNDER the total in their last six non-conference games. USC has stepped up the last two games and can't shoot, shooting 41% in a loss to Villanova and 39% in yesterday's loss to Wake Forest (5-25 beyond the arc). Their shooting won't improve against this tough (and angry) Xavier defense. It's also the third game in three days for these teams, so look for more defense than offense. This one stays UNDER the total.