The Creighton Bluejays take on the Xavier Musketeers in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Xavier is favored by -2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -160. The total is set at 149.5 points.
Here’s my Creighton vs. Xavier prediction and college basketball picks for December 17, 2025.
Creighton vs Xavier Prediction
My Pick: Xavier -2.5 (Play to -4.5)
My Creighton vs Xavier best bet is on the Musketeers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Creighton vs. Xavier Odds
| Creighton Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 149.5 -110o / -110u | +135 |
| Xavier Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 149.5 -110o / -110u | -160 |
- Creighton vs Xavier spread: Xavier -2.5
- Creighton vs Xavier over/under: 149.5 points
- Creighton vs Xavier moneyline: Creighton +135, Xavier -160
Creighton vs Xavier College Basketball Betting Preview
Creighton Basketball
I'm not sure I could be less encouraged about Creighton. The Bluejays have been a total trainwreck, entering Big East play with a 5-5 record with just one win over a top-250 team — beating a Nate Bittle-less Oregon squad.
If Creighton’s lineup and minutes distribution in the loss to Kansas State are any indication, Greg McDermott is searching for a working lineup. He benched and barely played three of the Bluejays' key transfer adds: Nik Graves, Blake Harper and Owen Freeman.
It’s not some motivation tactic, either. It seems strictly performance-based, as none of them have lived up to their potential.
Freeman is a total nightmare on the defensive end, and he’s not a good enough offensive player to make up for his defensive problems.
Harper is the Jays' second-leading scorer (9.2 PPG) and leading rebounder (5.2 RPG). I’d expect him to work back into the rotation.
Graves might be close to done, though. Austin Swartz at least shot the ball better than Graves has all year in his first extended minutes.
The Jays have to shoot it better moving forward. They attempt 47% of their shots from deep, but they connect on just 32% of them. The shooting improved in the Kansas State game, with Isaac Traudt and Swartz each hitting four triples. That’ll need to continue for Creighton to get its offense on track, though.
From a talent standpoint, Creighton took a major step back with its new-look lineup. Josh Dix and Jasen Green are the only two I expected to play big minutes entering the season. Ty Davis, Swartz and Traudt playing 28+ minutes in their last game speaks to how bad things are trending in Omaha.
Moreover, I have more pressing concerns about Creighton’s defense. Ryan Kalkbrenner is impossible to replace, but at least Freeman can occasionally block a shot — although he gets picked on in space constantly. Nobody else for Creighton is a half-decent shot blocker.
The Jays rank 87th in defensive efficiency and struggle on the glass, allowing offenses to secure rebounds on 33% of their misses.
While Creighton is headed in the wrong direction, Xavier has plenty of reasons to be optimistic heading into league play.
Xavier Basketball
Xavier has one of the more versatile interior groups in the Big East. The Musketeers start three forwards who stand 6-foot-8 or taller: Filip Borovicanin, Tre Carroll and Jovan Milicevic.
All three of them can shoot, rebound and even make plays with the ball. Carroll leads Xavier with 16.9 points and shoots 39% from deep. Milicevic is shooting 42% from deep, and Borovicanin is the consummate glue guy (8.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 4.0 APG).
I have already discussed Creighton’s brutal interior options, and now Dix — a wing — will have to defend the bigger and more versatile Borovicanin.
The Musketeers will look to push the tempo on Creighton. They play the 108th-fastest tempo in America, compared to Creighton’s 318th-ranked tempo.
They also boast the best turnover rate in the country (12%), so Creighton will have to work to slow Xavier's offense.
I talked about the bigs being comfortable with the ball, but the guards deserve credit, too. All Wright, Malik Messina-Moore and Roddie Anderson III are stable ball-handlers.
Richard Pitino is usually a defensive-minded coach. He wants to speed teams up and force turnovers, leading to a 19% turnover rate. Xavier is a reliable defensive team, ranking 71st in defensive efficiency.
It also finishes possessions out with a board, limiting opponents to a 26% offensive rebound rate.
Defending the rim is the only real concern, as opponents shoot an efficient 52% from inside the arc.
Creighton doesn't have the personnel to score inside, unless Freeman plays. However, I can't imagine Freeman playing much since Xavier can pick on his terrible defense.
Creighton vs. Xavier Betting Analysis
Creighton looks like one of the worst teams in the Big East, while Xavier could battle for a spot in the top five, albeit in a weak conference.
At least we know the Musketeers can shoot 3s well, rebound and force turnovers. I struggle to find a single thing that Creighton can rely on.
All the momentum is on Xavier's end; it's at home and it's flat-out better.
My Pick: Xavier -2.5 (Play to -4.5)
