This game is difficult to handicap because Xavier is a quality team, but I know Arizona's talent is 11 points better. Coach Sean Miller will have his guys ready. The Wildcats are very comfortable away from home this season, posting a 14-5-1 ATS record. But Xavier is 6-0 ATS down the stretch. Since Allonzo Trier returned 17 games ago, the Wildcats are a far better basketball team. Arizona has the better athletes and my numbers should prove that out Thursday.

Xavier's rise back up through the ratings after a six-game losing streak has been through its defense, and I like it to play a role Thursday in slowing down Arizona against a total that has been rapidly rising. Five of Xavier's last six games have stayed Under, with the lone Over a 91-66 win over Florida State. Arizona comes off a slow-down game against St. Mary's, which stayed Under. The Wildcats had played Over in their four prior games, but those were against fast-paced opponents. Under is the play.

It's been an incredible run for Xavier following the Musketeers' six-game losing streak in late February and early March. But no way am I getting in front of this Arizona train. The Wildcats have won 11 of 12, including a pair of wins over Top-5 teams, and they're 5-0-1 ATS in their last six neutral-site games. Lay the points.

Xavier fell apart amid the injury loss of point guard Edmond Sumner, losing six straight in Big East play to end up on the NCAA bubble. The Musketeers recovered just in time and, behind star Trevon Bluitt, have masterfully dissected Maryland and Florida State in the first two rounds. But their run likely comes to an end Thursday against an Arizona team that has the physicality and execution to beat Xavier at its own game. Expect the Musketeers to put up a fight, but the Wildcats pull away and clip the number.