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The Xavier Musketeers take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in White Sulphur Springs, WV. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Xavier is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -162. The total is set at 164.5 points.
Here’s my Xavier vs. Mississippi State prediction and college basketball picks for November 13, 2026.
Xavier vs Mississippi State Prediction
Pick: Xavier -3.5 (Play to -5)
My Xavier vs Mississippi State best bet is on the Musketeers to cover the spread. Be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page and download the Action Network app for the latest picks and analysis.
Xavier vs Mississippi State Odds
| Xavier Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -106 | 164.5 -110o / -110u | -162 |
| Mississippi State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -114 | 164.5 -110o / -110u | +134 |
- Xavier vs Mississippi State spread: Xavier -3.5 (-106), Mississippi State +3.5 (-114)
- Xavier vs Mississippi State over/under: 164.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Xavier vs Mississippi State moneyline: Xavier -162, Mississippi State +134
Xavier vs Mississippi State College Basketball Preview
Xavier Basketball
Xavier will get its first real taste of competition this season. The Musketeers are 3-0, winning by 20+ points in each game.
Richard Pitino returned his two best players from last year: Filip Borovicanin and Jovan Milicevic. Borovicanin is unique; he's basically a point forward. He averages 7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and five assists per game, and he's shooting 50% from the field.
Meanwhile, Milicevic is arguably Xavier's best scorer. The 6-foot-10 forward is a marksman from 3, shooting 50% from downtown.
Shooting has been a sore spot for Xavier thus far in 2026, connecting on just 27% of its 3s. I expect that to change a bit.
Ruben Dominguez is way better than a 27% shooter, as he hit over 40% from 3 at Texas A&M. Tru Washington is another player who should see some positive shooting regression — he won't shoot 12% from 3 all year.
Defense is the DNA for Xavier so far. The Musketeers are eight in average height, which helps them on the defensive end. They rank 28th in defensive efficiency and are holding teams to 33% on 2s (5th) and 27% from deep (sixth).
Those are impossible numbers to maintain all season, but Xavier has the pieces to be an elite defensive team.
Also, Mike Nwoko has given Xavier an interior presence that it lacked a season ago. Nwoko is the key reason why Xavier is shooting 67% from inside the arc. If he's able to be a reliable interior option, Xavier should get better looks from downtown long-term.
Mississippi State Basketball
Last season was a campaign to forget in Starkville, as Mississippi State only won 13 games.
This season, Chris Jans went with a softer non-conference schedule, which has resulted in three quick and easy wins.
I see what Jans wanted with his roster — a bunch of dirty-work guys to surround Josh Hubbard. Hubbard is a dynamo; he's averaging 18 points per game and is shooting 56% from 3 so far. He's one of the best scorers in the country, and putting another scorer next to him isn't the best plan. The ball can stick too much.
So, Jans went and grabbed three 6-foot-8 players who dominate the boards: Kimani Hamilton, Thomas Bassong and ND Okafor. The Bulldogs are collecting 47% of their misses and hold teams to a 23% offensive rebound rate.
The issue is that Hamilton is the only one of the three with a pulse from downtown. He's shooting just 20% from 3 so far but connected on 34% of his 3s at UNLV last season.
The second scoring option through three games is sophomore King Grace at 13.7 points per game on 57% shooting. Tajuan Simpkins has also performed well, averaging 11 points an evening off the bench.
Since the Bulldogs roster is built around Hubbard, some pieces like Simpkins and Grace will have to outperform expectations.
Defensively, Mississippi State is 68th in efficiency, per KenPom. I actually think that's a bit light, and the Bulldogs sitting 48th in offensive efficiency might be too strong.
I'd almost swap those numbers, which is fine for Mississippi State.
Xavier vs Mississippi State Pick, Betting Analysis
Give me Xavier laying -3.5. I think its a more balanced team and has a top-25 upside.
The Bulldogs' glass dominance can be muted by Xavier's strong rebounding and interior defense.
And it's only a matter of time until Xavier starts hitting 3s.
Take the underrated team.
Pick: Xavier -3.5 (Play to -5)
